An Australian-first project is aimed at helping fathers create safer, more respectful digital environments for women and children.
The University of the Sunshine Coast and the Daniel Morcombe Foundation have joined forces to develop the Digital Respect Hub.
The Australian Government announced $366,235 in funding to deliver the project, through the eSafety Commissioner’s Preventing Tech-based Abuse of Women Grants Program.
Led by UniSC’s Sexual Violence Research and Prevention Unit, the project would combine evidence-based research with practical digital resources, including videos, self-paced learning modules, conversation guides and podcasts.
Project lead Dr Lara Christensen said technology-facilitated abuse is a rapidly escalating form of gendered violence in Australia requires new approaches to prevention.
“Technology can be a powerful tool for connection, but it can also be used to monitor, control and harm others,” she said.
“This project recognises the important role fathers and father figures can play in shaping respectful online behaviour and creating safer digital environments for women and children.”
The proposed Digital Respect Hub would be co-designed with men’s groups, community organisations and practitioners, ensuring content is practical, engaging and relevant to Australian families.
Daniel Morcombe Foundation founder Denise Morcombe said the initiative would build on the foundation’s expertise delivering digital safety education nationally.
“Parents, especially fathers, are key to helping their children question simplistic and false online content about women, gender and equality. They can also be wonderful role models of how to be respectful in any relationship,”she said.
“By providing accessible resources and practical tools, we can help fathers have positive conversations about privacy, consent, respect and healthy online boundaries.”
The project aims to address the gendered attitudes and behaviours that contribute to tech-based abuse, while supporting a broader cultural shift towards respectful and safe online interactions.
The hub is set to be developed over two years and made freely available to families nationwide, with particular emphasis on reaching metropolitan, regional and remote communities.
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