Digital abuse and cyber-harassment have become major issues for many abused women in Ireland, Women's Aid has warned.

According to the national charity that supports women and children who are victims of domestic abuse, digital abuse can include stalking by current or ex-partners and online shaming, better known as ‘revenge porn'.

"We know that abusive partners use the internet and social media to control and stalk women. Some women have had personal details shared or lies spread about them and some are impersonated by their abuser online. The very common forms of digital abuse we hear about are damaging rumours being spread about women both personally and professionally and having sexually explicit images and videos that were taken with consent, posted online without consent (‘revenge porn')," explained Women's Aid director, Margaret Martin.

She pointed out that domestic abuse 'is about fear and control', with perpetrators using all means necessary to harm their partners or ex-partners. Increasingly, this means combining digital abuse with more traditional forms of abuse.

Ms Martin said that the impact of this type of abuse should not be underestimated.

"Women feel that their privacy has been invaded and that they have no control over their lives. They experience anxiety and feel vulnerable and fearful. They also have difficulty in concentrating and sleeping.

"Women have to change their contact numbers and email addresses, close down social media accounts and in some cases, move out of their homes. Women have to try to repair damage done to their reputation with their family, friends, at work and with their online communities," she pointed out.

She noted that a UK study found that 41% of abused women have experienced some form of online and technology abuse.

"We recently took a snapshot of the issue on our National Freephone Helpline and One to One services and found that women were experiencing digital abuse, as well as offline abuse and stalking by a current or former intimate partner.

"Twenty-five women had experienced overlapping forms of digital abuse, including 16 cases where offensive or threatening emails, texts or instant messages had been sent to the woman, her family or friends, while seven women reported that they were being tracked and monitored through technology on their PC and mobile phones," Ms Martin said.

She insisted that awareness about the true impact and extent of this type of abuse remains very low and Ireland's current laws in this area ‘are simply unfit to meet the 21st century challenges of digital abuse and domestic violence'.

For example, the definition of harassment in law is complex and difficult to prove, and is rarely used to protect women who are being stalked by their partners or ex-partners.

"Women's Aid calls for new, all-encompassing legislation to better protect women from digital abuse and stalking and for a better understanding of the harmful and insidious nature of digital abuse. Women's Aid recommends that a specific stalking offence be introduced in Irish law, with a comprehensive but not exhaustive definition, including new forms of cyber-stalking, and that stalking be recognised as grounds for a safety order," Ms Martin said.

For more information on Women's Aid, click here