Are you a practitioner who works with survivors or perpetrators of domestic abuse? Are you a strategist, manager, commissioner, policy maker? Or are you just here to learn more? This is for you.

So, tech abuse… what exactly is it?

Technology-facilitated abuse, or so-called ‘tech abuse’ is the way technologies can be exploited to track, control, coerce, or harass individuals. This can include emotional, sexual, or economic abuse. With the rise in ownership and use of technology devices, perpetrators now have multiple tools to abuse individuals.

So how can tech be used for abuse? Here are just some of the ways:  

Why is this important?

In 2019, the domestic abuse charity Refuge reported that 72% of women accessing its service said they had experienced technology-facilitated abuse.

What’s more, Refuge reported a 97% increase in the number of tech abuse cases requiring specialist support between April 2020 and May 2021 and in the first 5 months of 2021, this number jumped to an average of 118% more complex tech abuse cases.

There are now more IoT-connected devices than there are non-IoT connected devices and the use is only set to increase! The worrying thing is, there is little research on the misuse of IoT devices and what’s more, IoT systems currently do not have very well-established security features and privacy settings.

If a survivor is constantly being tracked and monitored through technology and devices, this makes it extremely difficult for them to leave, get help, or access services. In the majority of cases, the answers cannot lie in getting survivors to come offline completely… they lie in understanding tech abuse and incorporating it into risk assessments and safety planning when working with survivors.

At Equation, we’ve received funding for the launch of our tech abuse project which aims to equip you with information, knowledge, and guidance on the use of technology as part of domestic abuse through:

• Our bi-monthly newsletter
  Every two months, this short and accessible read will tell you about the latest devices and trends used when it comes to abuse. First issue coming this month – sign up here
• Our Practitioners Network
  A practice – and tech-focused network to help practitioners build skills for supporting survivors with regard to tech abuse. These will be held every 2-3 months with the first event being launched Monday 12th December 2-4pm on Zoom. Save your spot here.

  The first event will be an introduction into tech abuse, the Internet of Things (IoT), and the implications for safety planning with survivors. Bring along any questions for our Q&A.

• Campaigns
  To raise awareness of tech abuse and how it’s carried out and provide tips for safety and privacy.
• Developing Equation’s training sessions
  To include the use of technology as part of domestic abuse.

Keep me up to date

Sign up to our newsletter and get information about our Practitioner’s Network, straight to your inbox. Just select ‘Domestic abuse and technology’ in the email preferences.

Get in touch

info@equation.org.uk.

How you can help

No matter how much time, money or resources you can afford to give, your support will make a difference.