Indigenous-led programs to combat online abuse of women, including developing educational games and safety programs for remote communities, have been awarded almost $1 million in grants by the eSafety Commissioner.
The four priority First Nations projects were part of a $3.5 million round of funding on Wednesday from the federal government's grants to prevent tech-based abuse of women.
The Queensland Indigenous Family Violence Legal Service has received more than $215,000 to work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women to explore how technology is being used for coercive control in relationships.
Nja-marleya Cultural Leaders and Justice Group will use more than $239,600 to promote safe and respectful online behaviours among young people in the Northern Territory's remote communities via educational games and online learning.
The funds were going to organisations that had expertise and trust from their communities, eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant said.
''This round of grantees reflects both the breadth and depth of the challenge we're seeking to address, from AI-facilitated coercive control to tech-based abuse affecting First Nations peoples," Ms Grant said.
The same online apps that can make life easier can also be used for bullying, harassment and stalking, Communications Minister Anika Wells told reporters in Brisbane.
"Every Australian should feel safe when they are using their phone, a tablet, or a computer," Ms Wells said.
"But we know that that's not the case for everybody, and overwhelmingly, it is women and girls that are targeted online."
The grants also provided money to programs aimed at encouraging positive online behaviour by young men and making abuse prevention more accessible to people with a disability.
Strategies to prevent AI-enabled nude deepfakes and digital surveillance from causing harm to young and First Nations people will be evaluated by the Young Women's Alliance and Griffith University through grants totalling $650,000.
Harmful and misogynistic online content was causing more young people to perpetrate or become victims of sexual violence, Social Services Minister Tanya Plibersek told reporters.
"This is an opportunity to start to counter some of those harmful influences that we are seeing,'' Ms Plibersek said.
Australian Associated Press
