That is the reality for many women living in a domestic violence situation.

With the world rapidly developing, technology has become both a weapon and a shield for those suffering from domestic violence.

Wagga advocates reveal although technologies, such as the internet and smartphones, have provided benefits for victims of family violence, they have also opened up new avenues for abuse.

When it comes to technology as a weapon in domestic abuse, one of the city's leading women's rights advocates works hard to educate the community on the telltale signs.

Julie Mecham, a crisis and support worker, said while technology has its benefits, there are some terrifying ways it can be used.

"We're seeing more and more women subjected to technology-facilitated abuse, so that may be something like multiple text messages, emails, harassing them and that sort of thing, right through to spyware hidden in children's toys," she said.

"It can be extremely comprehensive. You don't need to be a genius in order to do it.

"There is something called doxxing, which is putting someone's information online, such as signing them up for an escort agency."

Ms Mecham said the same forms of abuse, such as emotional and financial, are still ongoing, but there is now a technology element to it.

"So that can be limiting access to a phone for someone so that they can't call for help, or maybe monitoring calls either directly or remotely," she said.

"Even the recovery email can be set to his email so you don't even realise that your information is being viewed, monitored, manipulated by someone else. And a lot of women don't realise the safety strategies, the security methods that can be employed to try and reduce that."

Ms Mecham added that a lot of people have the perception that the person committing the crime is not smart enough to work with technology, but that is far from the truth.

"It's about 85 per cent of women that also experience technology abuse," she said. "So it is not something that regional, rural women should forget about. It is everywhere, it's easy and affordable to get, and you won't know that you've been monitored."

Ms Mecham said part of their work at the Wagga Women's Health centre is to educate women about the possibility they are being stalked.

"If he knows stuff that you haven't told him, and there's no other way of knowing it, if he turns up at places where you're at, and that seems like too much of a coincidence, it may very well be likely that there are some location services that he's utilizing to stalk you and find where you're at," Ms Mecham said.

"Closing down an account might lose all the evidence, so keep that in mind. We can help you here at the Women's Health Centre if you are dealing with this issue."

Director at Wagga Family Support Service, Jenna Roberts, said 20 years ago staff working in the sector did not have to deal with the technological side of abuse.

Ms Roberts said one of the biggest concerns for employers offering help at Wagga Domestic Violence Court Advocacy Service was GPS tracking and its ability to be so precise.

"The perpetrators can put a ring-fence around the house or the school," she said.

"If the victim goes out of that, they automatically get a notification on their phone ... that's scary stuff. It's quite alarming for us."

Ms Roberts said another cause for concern is the blackmailing of victims through the sharing of inappropriate or personal photos.

She said staff would deal with cases where a woman's lack of awareness around technology has been picked up and used against her.

"We often see technology abuse in domestic violence as another tool, not just one tool," Ms Roberts said.

"We are encouraging women to check their phones, making sure that they only have apps that they know that they've downloaded."

Ms Roberts said confusion around technology could even be something a person will look for in a victim.

"One of the biggest things we can suggest is never sharing your password with your partner, particularly in the early days if you're not sure where the relationship is going or if there are any of those red flags," she said.

"Once you share your passwords, it's very difficult to control your information then."

Ms Roberts said this issue becomes even more complicated when internet banking becomes involved.

"I think we need to encourage women to think long and hard about having shared bank accounts," she said.

"When we want women to leave, we do quite it quickly and we do it without any notice and that makes it almost impossible if everything's being monitored."

Technology can also pose a problem for a woman trying to escape a domestic violence situation, mainly if the phone is in the abuser's name.

"So it's often not as easy as just going and getting a new mobile phone," Ms Roberts said.

"We have a system where any victim of domestic violence can take a free phone that has credit on it.

"So for us, we see that as a positive that we can offer that free technology that is completely unmonitored for the victim to use."

Ms Roberts said despite all the terrifying ways that technology can be used to hurt a victim of domestic violence, it can also be used to help those suffering.

"Technology links people up all around the world who have left violence or who are considering leaving violence, and we, of course, use technology to spread awareness of domestic violence," she said.

Ms Roberts said WDVCAS and other services in the area are continually working together, and training to ensure they can combat the issues are they arise, particularly with technology.

Riverina Police District Acting Inspector Maggie Deall said dealing with the issues of domestic violence is a priority for the city's officers.

"Wagga has one of the highest rates of domestic violence in NSW," she said.

"It is a huge problem. Stalking is a lot wider issue these days because there are so many other methods.

"From my own experience, because there has been an increased focus on domestic violence in the media I feel that it is being reported a lot more, whether that be by the person in the situation or a bystander."

Inspector Deall said officers are continually trained in order to keep up with the development of new technologies.

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She added law enforcement has a good relationship with social media sites and internet providers who will cooperate with them during criminal investigations.

"We are learning new ways to record and track things and using technology as an investigative tool," she said.

Inspector Deall said discussing technology and how it is utilised both by victims and perpetrators of domestic violence provides a timely reminder.

"Everyone should be social media aware," she said.

"People's knowledge of social media is not great.

"Technology is great because it can keep people in contact with each other and engaged with each other, but unfortunately any kind of device can be used to keep someone in contact when that is not wanted."

Inspector Deall said anyone concerned can reach out for help and information at Wagga Police Station.

If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence contact 1800 Respect (24/7) 1800 737 732 or Rape and Domestic Violence Service Australia (24/7) 1800 424 017.