"Multiliteracies for Inclusive Technologies: A Case Study on Location-Based Services and Domestic Violence Survivors"

Jennifer Roth Miller

Jennifer Roth Miller is a student in the Texts and Technology Doctoral Program at the University of Central Florida. Jennifer's research interests explore the convergence of philanthropy, social justice, education, corporate social responsibility, and cause-based marketing in socially constructing collective views on issues such as technology, lifestyle, health, and community.

Contents

Abstract

Introduction

Location-Based Services & Privacy

Location-Based Services & Privacy Cont.

Domestic Violence Survivors & Geolocation: A Case Study

Digital Literacy Possibilities for Domestic Violence Survivors

Digital Literacy Possibilities for Domestic Violence Survivors Cont.

Potential for Rhetoric & Composition

Works Cited

Domestic Violence Survivors & Geolocation: A Case Study

Feminist standpoint theory advocates for examining issues from the perspectives of marginalized groups (Anderson, 2012). The theory’s strengths lie in considering societal issues from points of view of those not included in the mainstream experience. The situated knowledge gained from considering how mobile technologies affect domestic violence survivors helps illustrate a clearer picture of the issue and the consequences it presents. These technologies do not affect all people as drastically, yet in this population the consequences are heightened. For survivors of domestic violence, exposing real-time location information or activity patterns can literally jeopardize their safety. Considering the experiences of marginalized groups like domestic violence survivors could provide insight that could lead to more malleable interface designs that could accommodate privacy needs more flexibly.

Stalking and harassment have been key aspects of domestic violence offline, but social media, text messaging, and the Internet add a new avenue for abusers to harass and harm survivors (Dimond, Fiesler, & Bruckman, 2011). Privacy becomes more difficult to achieve with online presence and smartphone use. Additionally, smartphone and social media interfaces are designed with the hegemonic view of a “harmonious family.” Interfaces are rhetorically constructed to persuade users to share personal information in profiles, to check-in, and post photos and other information with location and personal metadata embedded. Smartphone interfaces default to allow access to geolocation services. These interfaces do not easily allow alternative options for survivors who are involved in relationships that do not fit the mainstream view of a healthy intimate partner relationship.

Social media sites such as Facebook are documented as a modern tool to aid abusers in the development of unhealthy relationships, control, and relationship aggression (Brem, Spiller, & Vandehey, 2014). Recent research draws attention to the links between jealousy, surveillance, and aggression and how social media environments fuel these behaviors. Traits and actions that lead to relationship aggression are visible and amplified on Facebook. Brem et al. (2014) build upon prior research that proves these behaviors in offline settings result in relationship aggression. The results of new studies show these behaviors exist online and predict the behaviors online will also result in aggression.

Additional new research highlights the difficulties technologies present to survivors in leaving abusive relationships (Halligan, Knox, & Brinkley, 2013). Technologies such as social media and smartphones make it more difficult to distance survivors’ lives from abusers’. Survivors surveyed reported difficulty in separating from their smartphones, giving abusers direct contact to them when they wished to be distanced.

Lemon (2011) considered the legal aspects of new technologies and their impact on domestic violence. Location-based technologies such as Global Positioning Systems (GPS) have been used to provide justice to survivors by the legal system, yet these technologies are used against them at the same time. On one hand, courts will issue GPS monitoring systems to track convicted abusers confirming they are respecting injunctions and restraining orders. On the other hand, offenders utilize GPS and the Internet to track and locate survivors making it more difficult for them to start a new life. Locally, GPS ankle bracelet monitoring systems have been used to track abusers, yet they have been discontinued due to funding constraints. This leaves abusers with the advantages of location–based technology and survivors with the disadvantages.

Southworth, Finn, Dawson, Fraser, and Tucker (2007) examined ways criminals are using modern technologies to harass, control, and harm domestic violence survivors. Criminals use technologies from email, to GPS, spyware, cell phones, and even fax. Domestic violence organizations expressed needs to understand how criminals are able to use technologies together to stalk, harass, control, and harm survivors. Smartphones naturally bring many of the technologies abusers typically utilize to monitor and track survivors together in one device, but it’s helpful to look at the technologies separately to gain a clearer picture of what is going on and what it is possible for tech savvy criminals to do.

Southworth et al. (2007) also express needs for digital literacy education and efforts to help survivors understand how tech-savvy abusers use modern technologies cumulatively to monitor, track, control, and harm them. However, it is not as simple as solely educating them. There are considerations such as top-down and bottom-up digital literacy education programs and determining which have the potential to really help versus further marginalize survivors by predetermining how they should use smartphones. Further, there has to be motivation from the survivors to want to control their privacy. Usually it takes a major domestic violence event to create the desire to maintain privacy. They don’t necessarily consider maintaining privacy a way to prevent dangerous situations in the first place. They often don’t realize they are at risk until a situation escalates.

Domestic violence is a complex psychological issue. Survivors often still love abusers and want to forgive them and give them another chance. They may also have had good times and can’t let go of the possibility they could be happy again with the person who hurt them. In addition, they may either want to or be required to be accessible for the sake of other family members such as children. It’s not as clear as the relationship being completely over.