The domestic abuse charity Refuge is making an urgent appeal to the UK government, demanding that technology-facilitated abuse be placed at the forefront of its strategy to combat violence against women and girls (VAWG). This call to action comes amid a dramatic and alarming increase in cases where technology is used as a weapon, highlighting the need for immediate funding and specialised support for survivors.
A Staggering Surge in Digital Abuse Cases
Refuge has recorded a shocking rise in the number of survivors needing help with technology-facilitated abuse. The charity’s specialist tech team, established in 2017, has seen referrals increase by an incredible 207% since it began, showing how abusers are adapting their methods in the digital age.
The latest data paints an even more concerning picture. In the first half of 2024, referrals to the tech team jumped by 92% compared to the same period in 2019. This trend underscores a growing crisis that requires a dedicated and robust response.
| Timeframe | Increase in Tech Abuse Cases |
| Since 2017 | 207% rise in referrals |
| 2018 to 2022 | 258% rise in cases involving technology |
| First half of 2024 vs 2019 | 92% rise in tech team referrals |
Emma Pickering, who heads the Technology-Facilitated Abuse and Economic Empowerment team at Refuge, explained that modern technology makes it easier for perpetrators to stalk, monitor, and control their victims. This adds layers of complexity to domestic abuse cases, making them more difficult for survivors to escape and for support services to manage.
Tech Safety Summit Highlights Urgent Need for Reform
To address this growing problem, Refuge recently hosted a two-day Tech Safety Conference. The event brought together leading experts, including Domestic Abuse Commissioner Nicole Jacobs and Ofcom CEO Dame Melanie Dawes, to discuss the challenges and find solutions.
The summit explored the various ways perpetrators are weaponizing technology against their partners and ex-partners. These modern forms of abuse are often hidden and can have devastating impacts on a survivor’s safety, finances, and mental well-being. Key methods discussed included:
- Stalkerware and Harassment: Using hidden apps and software to track a victim’s location, messages, and calls.
- Financial Sabotage: Gaining unauthorised access to online banking or manipulating financial information to exert economic control.
- Deepfakes and Intimate Image Sharing: Creating and sharing non-consensual fake or real intimate images to humiliate and threaten survivors.
Through interactive sessions and survivor testimonies, the conference aimed to educate companies and government bodies on how to better protect individuals and build safer online spaces.
Urgent Calls for Government and Industry Action
Refuge is advocating for the full and effective implementation of the Online Safety Act and upcoming VAWG guidance from Ofcom. According to Emma Pickering, a significant gap exists in the current system. She stressed that frontline responders often lack the specific training needed to properly identify and handle cases of tech-facilitated abuse.
This call for action was supported by Nicole Jacobs, the Domestic Abuse Commissioner. She pointed out that as technology becomes more central to our lives, abusers will inevitably find new ways to exploit it. She emphasised that strong collaboration between tech companies, government agencies, and domestic abuse charities is essential to create a unified and effective response.
The Road Ahead for Survivor Support
Survivors like Jasminder, who shared her story, know firsthand the dual nature of technology. While it can be a tool for abuse, it can also be a lifeline for victims seeking help and connection. This makes the work of specialised services like those at Refuge critically important.
However, the charity warns that its efforts are not sustainable without greater government support and funding. The current rise in cases is believed to be just the “tip of the iceberg.” Collective action from all sectors is necessary to ensure that every survivor of technology-facilitated abuse has access to the life-saving support they need. The responsibility cannot be left to charities alone.
