Online abuse
Report
Digital harms: consistency in definition, understanding and action
This paper examines the scale of digital harm, explains why current responses fall short and proposes reframing harm through a shared, multi‑sector, internationally relevant taxonomy. It argues such a framework is essential for effective reform and offers recommendations for governments, platforms, researchers and civil society to guide coordinated action and strengthen accountability across the digital...
Report
Digital platforms’ efforts under voluntary arrangements to combat disinformation and misinformation
This report sets out the Australian Code of Practice on Disinformation and Misinformation digital platform signatories' efforts under the voluntary arrangements to combat disinformation and misinformation. It offers insights into key developments and data reported by signatories throughout 2024, including information on policies and approaches to artificial intelligence, content moderation and coordinated inauthentic behaviour.
Report
The rule of law, excessive regulation and free speech
This paper finds that Australian Government responses to challenges such as misinformation, online harms, privacy and hate speech are increasingly disproportionate and, in some cases, ineffective. It proposes that recent Australian laws risk undermining fundamental freedoms and weakening the principles that underpin a democratic society.
Report
Self-reported desistance and help-seeking approaches of child sexual offenders on the darknet
To inform prevention and intervention approaches, this study analysed posts from a darknet forum to examine approaches to desistance from offending among undetected child sexual offenders. The findings highlight the need for psychosocial treatment avenues for child sexual offenders.
Report
Cybercrime in Australia 2024
This report describes cybercrime victimisation, help-seeking and harms among Australian computer users. The report found that rates of victimisation remain high, formal help-seeking remains low, and a large proportion of victims are negatively impacted by cybercrime. Certain sections of the community were found to be more likely than others to fall victim to cybercrime.