Domestic abuse is evolving, and technology is playing a darker role in this transformation. Refuge, a leading charity, is calling on the UK government to make combating technology-facilitated abuse a central part of its strategy to reduce violence against women and girls (VAWG) by half. With a significant rise in such cases, the charity emphasizes the urgent need for targeted measures and increased funding to support survivors effectively.
Surge in Tech-Facilitated Abuse Cases
Refuge established a specialized service for technology-facilitated abuse and economic empowerment in 2017 to address the growing demand. Since its inception, the number of referrals has skyrocketed by 207%, highlighting the increasing complexity of abuse cases.
Recent data reveals that in the first six months of 2024 alone, referrals to Refuge’s tech team surged by 92% compared to the same period in 2019. This alarming trend underscores the necessity for comprehensive government action and support.
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- 207% increase in referrals since 2017
- 92% rise in the first half of 2024 compared to 2019
- 258% rise in survivor cases involving technology between 2018 and 2022
Emma Pickering, Head of Technology-Facilitated Abuse and Economic Empowerment at Refuge, stressed the critical role of government and financial institutions in addressing these challenges. She highlighted the ease with which abusers can now stalk, monitor, and harm their victims using advanced technologies, making many abuse cases more intricate and harder to manage.
Inaugural Tech Safety Conference Highlights Urgency
The two-day Tech Safety Conference organized by Refuge brought together experts and stakeholders from various sectors to discuss the pressing issue of technology-facilitated abuse. The event featured prominent speakers such as Elena Michael from #NotYourPorn, Nicole Jacobs, Domestic Abuse Commissioner, and Dame Melanie Dawes, CEO of Ofcom.
The summit delved into the myriad ways technology can be weaponized by perpetrators, including:
- Stalkerware and Harassment: Tools that allow abusers to monitor and intimidate their victims.
- Financial Sabotage: Manipulating banking and financial information to exert control.
- Deepfakes and Intimate Image Sharing: Creating and distributing fake images to shame and harm survivors.
Participants shared survivor experiences, policy concerns, and potential reforms needed to combat these modern forms of abuse. The interactive sessions aimed to educate corporates and governing bodies on both the dangers and the potential of technology to prevent abuse.
Jasminder, a survivor of domestic abuse, recounted her experiences with technology and economic abuse, emphasizing the dual nature of technology as both a tool for perpetrators and a means of support for victims.
Government and Industry Response Needed
Refuge is advocating for the robust implementation of the Online Safety Act and the adoption of forthcoming VAWG guidance from Ofcom. According to Emma Pickering, frontline responders often lack the necessary training to handle tech-facilitated abuse cases effectively. Mandatory training and increased funding for specialist services are essential to provide informed support to survivors.
Nicole Jacobs, Domestic Abuse Commissioner, echoed these sentiments, noting that as technology becomes more integrated into daily life, so do the methods perpetrators use to abuse. She emphasized the importance of collaboration between tech companies, government bodies, and domestic abuse services to develop a comprehensive response to these challenges.
Collaboration is Key
Effective tackling of technology-facilitated abuse requires:
- Strong Partnerships: Between tech companies, government agencies, and support services.
- Comprehensive Training: For frontline responders to understand and investigate tech-facilitated abuse.
- Increased Funding: To ensure specialist services can continue their life-saving work.
The collaboration aims to keep survivor voices at the forefront and ensure that policies and support systems are responsive to the evolving nature of abuse.
The Road Ahead for Refuge and Survivors
Refuge remains committed to leading the fight against technology-facilitated abuse. However, the charity acknowledges that without increased governmental support and funding, their efforts may not be sustainable in the long term. The rise in such abuse cases is just the tip of the iceberg, and there is a pressing need for more comprehensive strategies to protect and empower survivors.
Survivors like Jasminder continue to face various forms of technology and economic abuse daily. The support from specialized services like Refuge is crucial, but the burden cannot fall solely on these organizations. Collective action and sustained commitment from all sectors are necessary to make meaningful progress in reducing VAWG.
