Bill Overview
Title: Tech Safety for Victims of Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, Sexual Assault, and Stalking Act
Description: This bill establishes a pilot program for the Office on Violence Against Women to award grants to reduce domestic violence that occurs using any form of technology.
Sponsors: Rep. Eshoo, Anna G. [D-CA-18]
Target Audience
Population: People who are victims of technology-facilitated domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking
Estimated Size: 20000000
- Domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking are global issues affecting millions of individuals regardless of geography.
- Approximately 736 million women have experienced some form of intimate partner violence, non-partner sexual violence, or both at least once in their lifetime.
- Technology-facilitated abuse is becoming increasingly common as more people use digital and mobile platforms globally.
- Victims of these forms of violence often include not just direct individuals but also their families and communities, impacting their social well-being and safety.
Reasoning
- This policy targets technology-facilitated abuses which are a rising concern given the digital penetration in personal lives.
- While the budget is constrained, the focus on technology can allow for innovative low-cost solutions like awareness campaigns, apps, and security software updates.
- Beneficiaries will range from direct victims to those in their support networks, bolstering community safety attitudes.
- Mitigation can involve education in tech usage and improving digital literacy as preventive measures against such abuses.
- Distribution is expected to be more urban-centric given higher technology use in metropolitan areas, though rural areas should also be included in outreach due to their vulnerability.
Simulated Interviews
Teacher (Chicago, IL)
Age: 32 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I think the policy could really help people like me who are targeted online.
- If it means less harassment and feeling safer, that would improve my life significantly.
- I just hope the outreach and support are there beyond just tech fixes.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
IT Specialist (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy is a good step towards updating how we address these issues in the digital age.
- Funding should prioritize education on digital safety as much as it does for intervention.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Software Developer (Austin, TX)
Age: 27 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 8.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy could lead to more secure online platforms and tools.
- I hope there's a focus on building better technology to prevent these abuses from happening in the first place.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Retired (Rural Kentucky)
Age: 63 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I’m not very familiar with technology, but I’ve heard about scams and tech abuses.
- Some support for older folks like me to understand technology would be very beneficial.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
College Student (New York, NY)
Age: 22 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I worry about my safety online given some of my friends' experiences.
- The program sounds promising if it can really reach people on campuses.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Police Officer (Seattle, WA)
Age: 36 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy can make our work easier with better tools and protocols for tech-related cases.
- It needs to be comprehensive and include ongoing training for law enforcement.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Social Worker (Minneapolis, MN)
Age: 30 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 7.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The tech focus is crucial and overdue; too many clients report cyber issues now.
- I’m hopeful, though funding must be adequate and sustained to make a real difference.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Digital Privacy Consultant (San Francisco, CA)
Age: 40 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Policy seems to target the right issues.
- Continuous updates in digital security must be core to the implementation strategies.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
Freelance Journalist (Orlando, FL)
Age: 29 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This could provide great content for advocacy and spreading awareness.
- It's important the program remains transparent and evidence-based.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Small Business Owner (Phoenix, AZ)
Age: 50 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 6.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- As someone who was targeted online, this policy gives some hope.
- I’d appreciate more clarity on how businesses can both leverage and comply with this policy.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $50000000 (Low: $40000000, High: $60000000)
Year 2: $52000000 (Low: $42000000, High: $62000000)
Year 3: $53000000 (Low: $43000000, High: $63000000)
Year 5: $55000000 (Low: $45000000, High: $65000000)
Year 10: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 100: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Key Considerations
- The effectiveness of the program in reducing technology-facilitated abuses is critical for both cost justifications and social impact.
- Pilot programs might set a precedent for adopting technology-focused solutions across broader violence prevention strategies.
- Ongoing measurement and evaluation of program impacts will be crucial in refining the initiative and optimizing resource use.