STATEMENTS BY MEMBERS

Ms KARA COOK (Bonner) (13:35): Today, Women in Digital and Sekuro launched new research into cybercrime victimisation in Australia, and the data should make all of us pay attention. Nearly half of Australians surveyed experienced cybercrime in the last year. One in four experienced abuse or online harassment.

One in five experienced multiple forms of cybercrime. But this new research also asks us to look beyond the headline numbers and understand the gendered nature of cybercrime, because the crimes that cause women some of the most profound harm are also among the least reported. Shame, fear and uncertainty about where to turn can keep victims silent.

Cybercrime is not just about compromised passwords or stolen money. It can affect someone's safety, identity, relationships and livelihood and their sense of security in their home. Our government has set the goal of making Australia a world leader in cybersecurity by 2030.

Under Horizon 2 of the Cyber Security Strategy, we are delivering 64 initiatives across 19 action areas, including better cyber education, stronger protections and making it simpler for Australians to report cyber incidents. But this research shows us why our response must also be victim centred and gender aware. We need to make reporting easier, support victims to recover, build digital literacy and ensure emerging technologies do not create new opportunities for abuse, because every Australian deserves to be safe not only in their community but in their home and online as well.