Adoption and use of technology to protect vulnerable people against technology-facilitated domestic violence

🛡️🔗 Campus Plus is pleased to announce a new National Industry PhD project exploring how secure digital tools can help protect victim-survivors from technology-facilitated domestic violence.
University of Canberra and Nansen Digital Forensic Services Pty Ltd (Nansen.io) are partnering to co-design and evaluate a practical, privacy-first technology intervention that helps vulnerable people securely manage sensitive information and evidence.

THE PROJECT: Immutable Digital Storage Systems for Victims of Domestic Violence — This research will investigate the challenges victim-survivors face in protecting personal information and digital evidence while experiencing (or leaving) technology-facilitated abuse. Using interviews and thematic analysis, the project will inform the co-design of a secure storage and access approach, including a blockchain-enabled file storage platform (Chain-FS), developed with domestic violence support services and the industry partner. Usability and acceptability will be evaluated through user feedback and usage metrics.

THE IMPACT: The project aims to help victim-survivors safely re-engage with their digital lives by improving how sensitive files, records, and evidence are stored and shared when safety is at risk. Outcomes will support stronger digital safety practices across services, and may inform future tools, training, and policy approaches to reduce technology-facilitated abuse. By translating research into an implementable solution, the collaboration strengthens Australia’s capability in privacy-preserving technology for community safety.

🔬 PhD Candidate: Jyotsna Gaur
👨‍🏫 Academic Supervisors: Dr Rosetta Romano (University of Canberra); Dr Blooma John (University of Canberra)
🏭 Industry Mentor: Rose MacDonald (Nansen Digital Forensic Services Pty Ltd)

Congratulations to all involved!