Refuge is calling on the Westminster government to make combating technology-facilitated abuse a key part of its plan to halve violence against women and girls (VAWG).
“Most survivors we support now have experienced some form of technology-facilitated abuse and what has changed over recent years is the ease with which abusers are able to stalk, monitor and harm women and children by using technology,” said Emma Pickering, who heads Refuge’s specialist team dealing with the problem.
Since it was set up in 2017, the cases referred to it have increased three-fold and have become increasingly complex. Research in 2021 showed 36% of UK women have experienced online abuse and one in six of those experienced it from a partner or ex-partner. Refuge calculates that is almost two million women.
The charity has held a two-day tech safety conference to discuss the growing problem, and Pickering said it is essential the government, financial institutions and big tech combat it together.
