In the digital age, there is no escaping technology. It not only permeates every aspect of our lives but also actively shapes our world. Most of us rely on it in our day to day lives; to work, to socialise, and to maintain relationships. But what happens when perpetrators misuse technology as a tool of abuse?
Technology-facilitated abuse can take many forms – from cyberstalking to coercion – and it’s being used as a tool to devastate lives everywhere.
My work as a documentary maker began in 2020. After speaking to so many women and young people experiencing digital abuse, I realised I had only scratched the surface of a much larger crisis – the epidemic of violence against women and girls (VAWG). I became determined to continue to shed light on these deeply complex and personal issues, and to create conversation that could elicit change– that of which, thankfully, I did.
In 2021, following the release of my first documentary about my own experience, the Government announced it would be changing the law on image abuse. It was a proud moment – not only because of the countless women it would go on to help, but because I had helped transform such a horrific experience into a positive outcome.
However, I still believe we have an awful long way to go. The digital epidemic of online harm, which sits in tandem with all kinds of tech abuse, has been traumatic to witness – and the more I speak with brave women who share their stories, the more determined I become to continue my work in this space.
Bad faith actors are at it again.
Technology now serves as a springboard for perpetrators to abuse women at the touch of a button. Some digital spaces have become so toxic for women and girls that it’s easy to demonise technology and even encourage women to avoid it for their safety. However, the truth is far more complex.
As part of my latest documentary, To Catch a Stalker, I spent many months working and living with women who are experiencing what many of us would consider a nightmare – every second of every day. These women are subjected to a relentless campaign of stalking, to the point where their lives are at risk.
One survivor told me she began sleeping with a kitchen knife out of fear that her perpetrator would seriously harm her – or worse. Another was threatened with violence by her perpetrator, who told her he could come through her front door and attack her if he wanted to. Disturbingly, one in seven people over the age of 16 will experience stalking in their lifetime – and the vast majority of these cases now involve technology.
As technology evolves, it is easier than ever for perpetrators to track and stalk women. From location tracking services to spy-cams, tech-facilitated stalking is increasing at an alarming rate, putting those affected at real-world risk.
My work to understand how VAWG manifests in the digital age led me to Refuge, the UK’s largest specialist domestic abuse organisation, which has a sector-leading Technology-Facilitated Abuse and Economic Empowerment Team. Since joining Refuge as an ambassador, I have spoken to so many women with heartbreakingly similar stories.
Almost two in three young women experience some form of online abuse.
Refuge is the first organisation of its kind to have a specialist tech-facilitated abuse service, which, between 2018 and 2024, saw a shocking 205% rise in referrals. The sheer scale of this type of abuse paints a bleak picture for women.
The big question is: who is responsible? How can tech companies and social media platforms continue to allow such devastating abuse to unfold on their platforms every second of every day? How, in 2025, is it still acceptable for perpetrators to hide behind the so-called “safety” of a screen? And perhaps most concerningly, is our society breeding a generation where tech abuse is normalised?
The reality is that tech-facilitated abuse will not stop until tech companies listen to survivors and implement safety measures by design. Tackling this issue also requires urgent government action, including investment in lifesaving support services for survivors.
But we must remember: tech-facilitated abuse is not just a digital threat – it is a human issue. In conversations about tech abuse, perpetrators often become invisible, shielded behind screens and devices that offer a convenient scapegoat. The impact of technology lies in its use. Although it can be manipulated by perpetrators to inflict harm, it also holds immense potential to protect and empower women and girls.
In September, I supported Refuge’s Tech Safety Summit, which explored not only the biggest issues facing survivors of tech-facilitated abuse, but also the most innovative ways technology is being used to keep women and girls safe. This includes a new platform called Survivor AI, a feminist AI letter generator that supports survivors in getting abusive content removed from the internet.
Another example discussed in my documentary was Operation Atlas, created by the Metropolitan Police. It’s a digital processing tool used by police to speed up stalking and harassment investigations by analysing call records and messages in a matter of seconds. It means that there are now specific, trained officers dedicated to gathering this digital evidence.
Through my work with Refuge, I’ve seen first-hand how their tech team supports women to use technology safely. Beyond the screen, I’ve also recently learned about how technology is being used to protect women and their children living in Refuge’s safe accommodation.
To meet the needs of the diverse survivors it supports, Refuge launched its dispersed accommodation model in 2023 – an alternative to communal refuges that includes standalone properties ranging from flats and bungalows to three-bedroom houses.
Not only is dispersed accommodation more accessible for many survivors, including those with disabilities or large families, but these properties are equipped with the latest technology to keep survivors safe. Discreet CCTV and video doorbells provide peace of mind and real security for survivors who have recently fled domestic abuse. I can’t help but think how beneficial this would be for survivors I've spoken to who have experienced, or are experiencing, stalking and harassment.
When abusers make themselves the victim.
To provide safe havens for more survivors than ever before, Refuge will soon be expanding its dispersed accommodation – made possible by its new partnership with Omaze. These properties will be owned by Refuge, improving the sustainability of its housing model, and will be equipped with built-in safety technology to ensure that survivors can finally begin healing.
Although I’ve witnessed and experienced the devastating effects of tech-facilitated abuse, I remain hopeful. When used for good, technology has the power to help create a future where women and girls can live free from fear. It’s time we, as women, reclaim technology – not by retreating from the digital world, but by having meaningful conversations about tech-facilitated abuse and pushing for safer, more equitable digital spaces.
To learn more about tech-facilitated abuse, visit www.refugetechsafety.org.
Find out more about Refuge’s campaign with Omaze: www.Omaze.co.uk/pages/refuge.
Refuge’s 24-hour National Domestic Abuse Helpline is available on 0808 2000 247, and its confidential live chat is accessible online at www.nationaldahelpline.org.uk.
