Australian case demonstrates how technology can be used as a tool of abuse
An Australian man has received a twenty-five-month prison sentence after being found guilty of abusing his former partner, including remotely controlling her Tesla car, as a means to harass her.
The case demonstrates how technology can be used as a tool for domestic abuse. (We have written here previously about how technology, and in particular smart technology, can be used to abuse victims within their homes.)
The newspaper report of the case described how the man had subjected his former partner to four years of abuse, including using the woman’s Tesla car as a way of dominating her.
The woman had purchased the Tesla when the couple were still together, but had difficulty using the technology on the car. The man offered to help, and explained that he needed to have the car registered in his name, so that he could take control of the Tesla app, in order to help her. The woman agreed to this.
But after the relationship ended, the man began using the app to harass the woman.
The ways in which he did this included:
- Setting off the car’s alarm multiple times during the night;
- Using a ‘parental control’ profile to shut the woman out of the app;
- Using the car’s ‘Speed Limit Mode’ and/or ‘Valet Mode’ to limit the speed at which the woman could drive;
- Attempting to disconnect the car from its charging port;
- Using the car’s climate control to alternate the car’s temperature setting between extremely cold and extremely hot; and
- Using a curfew setting, which notifies when the car is being used between 11pm and 4am.
Controlling the car using the app was just one way in which the man sought to abuse the woman. Other incidents included strangling the woman and threatening to ensure she never saw her son again if she left him.
The case went to court after the man was charged with 30 domestic abuse-related offences. He pleaded guilty to the charges, but is appealing against the sentence.
If you are a victim of domestic abuse then there are legal protections that you can seek, including an order restraining your partner from molesting you and, if you still live together, an order requiring them to leave your home.
Family Law Cafe can help you obtain these protections. To contact us, complete the form here, or ring us, on 02039 040506.
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