CYBERABILITY: Understanding, preventing and treating cybercrime after acquired brain injury

Online tools assist people with ABI to connect socially and compensate for memory. Alarmingly, sophisticated cybercrime is rife, with $90.9 million stolen in Australia last year (ACCC, 2018), and causes significant distress to those affected. Individuals with ABI may be particularly vulnerable due to neuropsychological, social and financial changes. Consultation with over 100 Tasmanians with disability identified cybercrimes as common and concerning (Anna Holliday, 2018). Importantly, lack of insight and rigid thinking may interfere with interventions to help people with ABI extricate from scams. However, there is no research identifying this issue in the ABI population nor treatment guidance for therapists, reflecting an unmet need. Based on their experiences, Kate Gould and consumer Colin Brokenshire have conducted training with therapists and service providers to prevent, identify and support individuals with ABI regarding scams. This is yet to be evaluated. Capacity building the sector with evidence-based, cost-effective and scalable training for ABI therapists is imperative.

Study Aims:
1. Understand the prevalence and factors associated with cybercrime after ABI
2. Understand ABI therapists’ current experiences, approaches and confidence in supporting clients at risk of or impacted by cybercrime
3. Examine the effectiveness of a workshop for ABI therapists compared with a control condition