Being family and friends to abused women–a qualitative study of digital media in intimate partner violence.

In research on intimate partner violence, most studies focus on those who are abused. In this chapter, we focus on how families, friends, relatives, and employers of abuse victims interact through the use of smartphones, social media platforms, apps, and other internet-connected devices. We discuss how digital technology is integrated into the lives of domestic abuse victims and their social networks: friends, relatives, family, and coworkers. Digital technology has increased the reach of abuse in close relationships, extending the troubles beyond the borders of the couple immediately involved and providing new ways and opportunities for perpetrators to be present even when physically absent.