Optus’ Post

Reflecting on an Inspiring 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence As we conclude the 16 Days of Activism, we’re proud to reflect on how Australia’s telecommunications industry has united to confront one of the most pressing social issues of our time: technology-facilitated abuse. This year’s “Love Is” Tech Abuse Awareness campaign launched on November 25 with our CEO Roundtable, bringing together leaders from Telstra, Optus, TPG Telecom, Aussie Broadband, Superloop, More, Tangerine, Indara, Uniti Group Pty Ltd, and Vocus Group. This critical moment allowed industry leaders to reflect on five years of collaboration and discuss the growing misuse of technology as a tool for abuse. Five years ago, the industry took its first steps to tackle domestic and family violence (DFV) through the Telco DFV Pledge and DFV Action Framework, initiatives led by the Telco Together Foundation. These programs have driven significant progress, equipping telcos to better support victims and survivors while embedding best practices across the sector. Key achievements include:  - 12 CEOs signing the DFV Pledge, committing to proactive and measurable actions.  - The introduction of the DFV Action Framework, integrating expertise from government, frontline support, and industry into telco strategies, policies, and training.  - DFV Action Plan Reports published by 11 companies demonstrating their ongoing commitment to improvement.  - Launching the Consumer Tech Abuse Campaign on December 3, a sector-wide initiative to empower Australians to recognise and address tech abuse. At the Roundtable, industry leaders not only celebrated these milestones but also tackled the pressing challenges ahead, including the rise of coercive control, sextortion, and other forms of tech abuse. As Kristy Kelly, CEO of Telco Together Foundation, noted:  "Five years ago, the industry came together to drive change, and today, our collective leadership is more critical than ever. By leveraging our shared power and reach, we’re transforming how Australians recognize and address tech abuse."  The work does not end here. This is a journey—a continuing mission to minimize the harmful misuse of technology, maximize its potential to empower and protect, and ensure lasting impact through industry collaboration. To all of members, community partners and internal teams—thank you for your leadership and unwavering dedication. Together, we are creating meaningful change and setting a global benchmark for collective action. Find out more about the campaign: https://lnkd.in/gpNZdcme #16DaysOfActivism #TechAbuse #DFV #LeadershipForChange #TelcoTogetherFoundation

🚨 Telecom Fighting Trafficking - w/ Josh Loaiza of 3Strands Foundation 🚨 I’m excited to share an important conversation with Josh Loaiza from the 3Strands Global Foundation. In our latest video, we discuss how the #TATE program is empowering the telecommunications sector to play a pivotal role in rescuing individuals from the grips of human traffickers. In this video, we delve into: 🔹 The impact of human trafficking and how technology can help combat it. 🔹 The innovative approaches taken by the TATE program. 🔹 Real-life success stories and the ongoing efforts to save lives. This is more than just a tech discussion—it's about using our resources for good and making a real difference in the world. I urge you to watch, share, and get involved in any way you can. #HumanTrafficking #Telecom #TechnologyForGood #3StrandsFoundation #TATEProgram #TechTalk #CommunityImpact #Telecommunications #FightAgainstTrafficking #LinkedIn #YouTube #Awareness #RescueMission #talkingtelephony

At Indara, we’re proud to support the "Love Is" Tech Abuse Awareness campaign led by the Telco Together Foundation in partnership with eSafety Commissioner, uniting the telco industry to take action to combat Domestic and Family Violence (DFV). Technology should empower us, not be a tool for harm. Yet, tech-based abuse is an all-too-common form of coercive control which is almost always a factor in DFV. We recognise technology and telecommunications can be both a lifeline and a tool of abuse for those experiencing DFV. Our participation in this campaign reflects our commitment to raising awareness and driving change to create safer, connected communities. To learn more watch “Love Is” Tech Abuse Awareness campaign video. 👉 More info: https://lnkd.in/gpNZdcme #LoveIs #TechAbuse #TelcoTogether #DFV #Genderbasedviolence #BePartofSomethingBigger

More is proud to partner with the Telco Together Foundation on the "Love Is" campaign, taking action against Domestic and Family Violence (DFV) and tech abuse. Technology can be a lifeline but is often misused to harm and control. Through this partnership, we’re raising awareness, supporting victims, and driving change to create safer communities. Learn more and access helpful resources here: https://lnkd.in/gpNZdcme #LoveIs #TechAbuse #TelcoTogether #DFV #GenderBasedViolence

May is Domestic and Family Violence (DFV) Prevention Month. Now, the issue is front and centre on the national agenda and in the public conscience, it’s time to keep moving forward. I’ve rallied over 700 colleagues and my personal network to collect phones for donation to DV Safe Phone, an organisation repurposing old mobile phones to support victims of domestic violence. As someone with a personal connection to this cause, I recognise the profound impact this support can have. If you'd like to learn more about their impactful work, check out the ABC article. And if you have an old phone gathering dust, consider donating it to help those in need. **If this issue causes you or someone you know distress, please reach out to the 1800 Respect national helpline at 1800 737 732.** #domesticviolenceawareness #repect

Orange

Tomorrow, January 11, is National Human Trafficking Awareness Day. We recognize that human trafficking is happening and affecting millions of people around the world. We acknowledge and appreciate the individuals and organizations who are not only raising awareness, but are actively researching, developing, and strategizing ways to locate and rescue people. Learn more about the Department of Homeland Security’s Blue Campaign, campaign events that may be happening in your area, and how you can #WearBlue tomorrow to help raise awareness: https://ow.ly/jMLU50UtpI9

I attended this event today 💙 As always these events are very 'moving' & emotive. Thank you to all those who took part. However we have been having the same conversations for many a year now....it is like a broken record falling on deaf ears. *The scale the scope of the issue *The Impact on the individuals who have been harmed *The true cost to society *What organisations / institutions need to do to prevent it *The need for changes in legislation, policy, procedures & practice. *We talk about what we all need to do to protect children and young people better... But what is missing from the conversation....is the lack of action & 1accountability. And...addressing the root cause of the problem... **The demand needs to be stopped, the supply chain needs to be disrupted. The perpetrators need to be caught and prosecuted** A clear message needs to be sent out that we have a zero tolerance to child sexual abuse / exploitation however it is perpetrated. Help and support needs to be provided for potential perpetrators. More research is needed to understand perpetrators and their criminality. **The tech companies are the enablers / the bystanders and are complict in the sexual abuse & exploitation. They literally put profits before people. The protection of CYP from online harm. This should be called out and any app / game / platform should adhere to a policy of safety by design and if not present from the get go; not be allowed to be launched!! I want to reiterate that we should never lose sight of the bigger picture...the complete picture. Child Sexual Abuse / Exploitation in all settings. #ActOnIICSA Independent Inquiry Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA)

Last Monday, 25th November, marked the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and the start of the 16 Days of Activism, and this year, we have joined forces with Australian telcos and e-Safety via the Telco Together Foundation to raise awareness on technology-facilitated abuse. Technology can be a lifeline for victims and survivors of Domestic and Family Violence (DFV), but it’s also almost always used as a tool of abuse. Telecommunications are commonly exploited by perpetrators to make unwanted contact or control victims, making it essential for telco service providers to provide effective support. Last week at the Telco Together Foundation’s CEO Roundtable event, our CEO and Managing Director Iñaki Berroeta joined the e-Safety Commissioner and other senior Australian telco leaders to discuss the industry’s progress and identify opportunities to address the growing misuse of technology as an abusive tool in DFV cases. In collaboration with Telco Together Foundation, we are proud to be united in our commitment to combatting tech abuse and its devastating impact on those experiencing DFV. We have signed the Telco Industry Domestic and Family Violence Pledge and developed a DFV Action Plan to guide our efforts. To learn mor e, watch the Tech Abuse Consumer Campaign - Love Is video below,or visit https://lnkd.in/gpNZdcme #LoveIs #TechAbuse #TelcoTogether #DFV #Genderbasedviolence #TPGTelecom

Safe mobile access to services is a critical necessity for victims of IPV When agencies came to Looped Solutions looking for a solution, their request was clear: "Make it just as safe for me to deliver services digitally as it would be if a victim walked through our door." Challenge Accepted 🚀📱 Integrating safe mobile connection into agency best practices isn’t just important—it’s essential. But it MUST be done with the safety of the most high-risk victim in mind. This was never about replacing traditional support—it was about meeting victims where they are. Today, mobile devices are the primary way people connect, navigate life, and seek help. Yet, for victims of domestic violence, these same devices can be weaponized by an abuser. That’s why secure, covert, and survivor-centered technology is critical to ensuring safe access to support. I’m honored to take this message to the NO MORE international stage for the first time, sharing why integrating safe access to services using mobile devices is essential. we must urgently shift the way we reach the most vulnerable victims—those aged 18-24, who likely won't seek help through traditional methods. The time for change is now! #TechForGood #VictimServices #DigitalSafety #InnovationForSurvivors #DomesticViolencePrevention