This summary was developed from presentations and discussions at EIDA’s Network Event on 20 March 2025.
The double-edged sword of tech: Setting the scene
While tech itself is neutral, there are unfortunately those who exploit it as a tool of control in the context of domestic abuse. Everyday devices such as AirTags and SmartTags, phone location tracking, and GPS devices are increasingly being used to monitor and control victim-survivors’ movements. Smart functions in homes can be used to eavesdrop on conversations, or control thermostats remotely to increase bills or make the home temperature uncomfortable. More research is needed on the abuse of smart technologies, but tech companies have a key role to play in setting out clear and enforceable guidelines aimed at tackling tech-enabled abuse.
Tech can also be used for good, to protect survivors. A pilot scheme using electronic tags to monitor convicted abusers is currently being rolled out in selected areas. Smart doorbells with cameras installed can warn survivors if the perpetrator approaches their house. Domestic abuse apps can provide both survivors and their emergency contacts with life-saving information, as well as signposting to specialist support.
Current trends in tech-enabled abuse
Employers should be aware of emerging forms of tech-enabled abuse, which may affect their employees. One such trend is “proxy stalking”, where perpetrators recruit other people to digitally and/or physically stalk and harass the victim-survivor, which is often coordinated via Reddit or other encrypted platforms. A potential red flag for employers is when an employee receives a high number of texts and/or calls at work, particularly video calls, as this may be the perpetrator forcing them to prove where they are and who they are with.
Another trend is the proliferation of “deepfakes”. Deepfakes are AI generated imagery that appear hyper-realistic and are often used in “revenge porn” cases where a victim-survivor’s face may be superimposed on pornographic videos or images and distributed across their personal and professional networks to cause humiliation. The UK Government recently made it a criminal offence to create sexually explicit deepfakes. If this happens in the workplace, it is crucial to be empathetic and supportive, to assure the affected employee that this is a crime, and that they will not suffer professional retaliation. You can contact the UK’s revenge porn helpline here.
Tracking and recording devices can be purchased cheaply online. These may be everyday items with concealed voice or video recorders, and can be very difficult to detect, even during a sweep of a home or workplace.
Such items may include AirTags and location trackers hidden in homes and vehicles, children’s toys with cameras, phone chargers, car keys, pens, and jewellery.
Key takeaways for employers:
- There should be clear, up-to-date guidelines in relevant policies (such as a domestic abuse policy, IT policy, and data protection policy) for dealing with tech safety breaches, including GDPR breaches.
- If any form of tech abuse is suspected, employers should carry out a risk assessment and (confidentially) involve relevant workplace teams where necessary, such as IT and Health & Safety.
- If your organisation has a domestic abuse working group or similar, these teams should be represented in the group to ensure a robust response.
- Consider the employee’s hybrid working arrangements (they may work in the same space as other people in their household) and ensure data security procedures are in place to minimise the risk of someone else gaining access to an employee’s emails, calendar, or work information. Where there is a suspected breach of confidential data, employers may be required to report this to the Information Commissioner’s Office, and in certain sectors, to a regulator.
- Contact employees you are concerned about in person rather than through digital channels, as their devices may be monitored.
While employers may not be experts in tech-enabled abuse, they can signpost to specialist support, including professionals that can sweep households and vehicles for spy- and stalkerware. We encourage employers and colleagues to be led by the victim-survivor in their response and ask them what they need, rather than make assumptions. If you think there is a risk of safety to the person being abused, or their families, call the police. EIDA Ambassador and founder of Free2BYou, Shital V, shared her experience of having a supportive employer that provided her with new devices when her perpetrator tracked her existing laptop and phone.
Employers tackling tech-enabled abuse: spotlight on EIDA Beacon, Mitie
Mitie are the UK’s largest facilities management company with 72,000 employees. They have been an EIDA Beacon member since 2024. Mitie have developed a bespoke Domestic Abuse Toolkit and a Domestic Abuse Managers Guide, accessible via their online colleague portal. These resources are designed to help employees and managers identify signs of domestic abuse and provide access to support and relevant resources. Mitie also offer all colleagues and their families access to an emergency helpline through their Employee Assistance Programme. They have a network of Champions to offer support to employees impacted by domestic abuse, working across the business.
Using tech for good, Mitie have partnered with WalkSafe, a personal safety app, which allows employees to connect with trained advisers in a specialist security control centre if they feel unsafe. WalkSafe is part of their Safer Communities initiative, which aims to empower employees to take measures to protect themselves from harm and supports organisations in fulfilling their duty of care. By implementing these measures and utilising tech in their domestic abuse response, Mitie demonstrate a comprehensive approach to supporting employees affected by domestic abuse – combining internal resources with external partnerships to foster a safer and more supportive workplace environment.
Using tech for good: Refuge’s Digital Break Up tool and Home Tech tool
Refuge raise awareness of tech-enabled abuse and how to mitigate the risks. They provide step by step guides on how to secure devices and homes against tech abuse and offer specialist support to victim-survivors.
The Refuge Home Tech tool is an interactive guide to the various devices and appliances commonly found in modern homes that could be used to abuse someone. The tool takes users through a house room by room, highlighting both traditional and smart devices and how you can take precautions in case anyone might try to misuse them.
Their Digital Breakup tool guides users through the process of securing apps and devices against abuse. This includes less-used apps such as takeaway apps or online entertainment with email-based logins. Perpetrators of abuse often have access to victim-survivors’ email accounts, which can give them access to their work communications and legal correspondence during a divorce or legal processes related to domestic abuse, for example. They may also try to contact children post-separation though online gaming accounts – a sphere that many adults aren’t comfortable navigating.
We recommend that employers share the two tools created by Refuge with their employees, by linking them on their domestic abuse awareness pages, such as on their intranet or through QR codes on posters. The National Domestic Abuse Helpline also offers tech support.
