Violence against women and girls remains a critical challenge for society. Last year alone, there were 1 million violent crimes against females in England and Wales – so it is reassuring to see the Government’s pledge to reduce this.
Whilst the upcoming festive season will be a time of celebration and joy for lots of us, it is also a difficult time for many.
During this period women facing abuse are likely to experience it more frequently and severely – with Women’s Aid usually seeing a 15% increase in domestic abuse related calls immediately after the holiday season.
It’s no secret that technology can sometimes be misused in harmful ways, with domestic abuse charity Refuge reporting a 258% rise in tech-related abuse cases since 2018.
Yet, technology and mobile devices can also be a lifeline for those at risk – helping people stay connected to emergency services, access expert advice, and confide in those they trust when they need it most.
Vodafone UK recently commissioned new research to explore the roles of smartphones and apps in supporting women’s safety, with a focus on those affected by domestic abuse.
Our research found that mobile devices can often act as ‘digital allies’ for women when they don’t feel safe – with 75% saying they have relied on their smartphones to escape unsafe situations – mostly by calling friends and family (52%), pretending to be on the phone to someone (37%), contacting the police (35%) or using live location sharing apps like Find My Friends (34%).
For many victims, these moments of connection are lifesaving. More than half (55%) of those who have experienced abuse or unsafe situations have reached out to others online to share their experience – with 88% who have done so saying it was vital for their mental health.
Apps like Bright Sky, which Vodafone Foundation developed in partnership with UK-based crisis support charity Hestia and Hope After Harm (previously Thames Valley Partnership), provide specialised resources that address both the emotional and practical needs of those impacted.
Whether for those experiencing abuse or for their families, friends, employers and colleagues seeking to offer support, these tools can play a crucial role in fostering mental wellbeing and connection.
Despite this, awareness of online tools dedicated to supporting those affected by domestic abuse remains low. While 73% of women agree that apps and websites are helpful in abuse situations, fewer than one in three (29%) would currently consider using them – despite 42% preferring online or phone support over in-person help. This highlights a critical gap in awareness – it’s not that these resources aren’t available, but that more must be done to make their value understood.
Bridging this gap requires not only awareness but also ensuring these tools can be accessed safely and securely. Partnering with Hestia, we wanted to help provide actionable advice – and so have developed expert tips to help women secure their devices against potential misuse, from enabling two-factor authentication to uncoupling linked devices.
To help prevent this activity and support people in securing their devices from potential misuse, Vodafone and Hestia have collaborated on a set of expert tips:
· Look for signs of unusual activity: Drained battery life, increased data usage or slow performance could indicate that someone has access to or has tampered with your device.
· If there are signs of unusual activity, consider if someone could have installed spyware or a tracking device software: Consider whether the perpetrator has ‘helped’ set up any accounts or apps on the phone – if you believe accessing information could put you in any form of danger, delete the app and access help in another way.
· Uncouple iCloud and online accounts from multiple devices: Review connected devices in iCloud or Google accounts and remove any linked devices that you don’t recognise or trust.
· Remove browser history: Clear browsing history, cookies and cached data regularly – and use private or incognito mode when appropriate.
· Enable two-factor authentication: Including email, banking and social media to prevent unauthorised access.
· Be mindful of phone records: Consider phone records and whether the perpetrator has access to these as, if so, it will provide them with updated addresses and contact details. Calls will also show up on the call log and on bills.
· Access Bright Sky in a safe space: Consider downloading the Bright Sky app on a friend or family member’s phone or accessing it on your own device in a safe space like a bank or pharmacy.
At a time when a woman is killed by an abusive partner or ex every five days in England and Wales[2] , empowering women with tech and online resources to find help in abusive situations is important – but tackling the issue is something the whole of society needs to get behind.
I am so proud that over the past decade, Vodafone has supported over 2.6 million people through initiatives like charities.connected, providing 11,350 free SIMs to domestic abuse charities. For affected employees, we offer counselling and paid leave in all 25 countries we operate in – and our domestic abuse toolkit also helps employers beyond Vodafone support those affected, with guidance on remote work, recognising abuse, and providing aid.
We can build a safer, more connected world where no woman has to face abuse alone, by all playing our part.
Nicki Lyons is chief corporate affairs and sustainability officer, Vodafone UK
