The Australian Government is calling for applications to fund innovative projects that help put a stop to technology-based abuse against women under a new $10 million grants program.

The Preventing Tech-based Abuse of Women Grants Program is led by the eSafety Commissioner as part of the National Plan to end violence against women and children 2022-32.

Under the initiative, non-government organisations can apply for grants of up to $500,000 to develop primary prevention projects addressing the underlying drivers, attitudes and behaviours which lead some people to use technology to stalk, threaten, control or undermine women, or carry out other violent or coercive behaviours. This tech-based abuse is also referred to as technology-facilitated abuse and technology-facilitated gender-based violence.

The program is part of a package of measures confirmed by the Albanese Government in the 2022–23 October Budget, including $5 million to extend the National Online Safety Awareness Campaign, and $16.6 million for eSafety to develop a technology-facilitated abuse advisory service for victim-survivors and frontline workers.

The new grants program aims to:

• increase public awareness of the impact of tech-based abuse 

• support access to new programs and resources that address the drivers of tech-based abuse and improve women’s and children’s safety, including in specific demographic or geographic communities

• support initiatives that challenge attitudes and stereotypes which contribute to tech-facilitated abuse

• support initiatives that promote positive and respectful online behaviour and accountability in men and boys.

eSafety has released guidelines to help applicants prepare for Round 1 of the grants program, which opens on 18 April 2023. The guidelines are available at eSafety.gov.au/grants.

Applications open 11:00 am (AEST) Tuesday 18 April 2023 and will close 5:00 pm (AEST) Monday 29 May 2023.