Domestic Abuse on the Rise as Perpetrators Utilize AI, Smart Tech to Control Victims
A staggering number of women who have been abused and controlled by their partners are now being referred to Refuge's specialist services, with record numbers highlighting a disturbing trend. According to the charity, perpetrators are increasingly using cutting-edge technology such as smartwatches, wearable devices, and AI-powered apps to track, stalk, and control their victims.
The situation has become so dire that Refuge has seen a 62% increase in complex cases, involving over 800 women who were subjected to this form of abuse. Moreover, there was also a notable rise in referrals of under-30s, indicating the widespread reach of this issue among all age groups.
Experts warn that these technologies are being used as tools for perpetrators to exert their power and control over victims, often with devastating consequences. The "smart accessories" - such as smartwatches, Oura rings, and Fitbits - can be easily accessed by anyone, allowing them to track the movements of the victim without their consent.
In one harrowing case, a survivor named Mina was forced to flee her abuser, leaving behind her smartwatch in haste. However, this simple act backfired when her abuser used the tracking feature linked to the cloud account to locate her new refuge, exposing her location and perpetuating a sense of constant fear.
The emotional toll on survivors is immense, as they are left to carry the burden of managing their situation without adequate support or protection. As Emma Pickering, head of Refuge's tech-facilitated abuse team, poignantly stated: "It is unacceptable for the safety and wellbeing of women and girls to be treated as an afterthought once a technology has been developed and distributed."
The rise in domestic abuse facilitated by technology has prompted a dire warning from experts. As Pickering noted, perpetrators are increasingly using AI tools to manipulate survivors, often through sophisticated methods such as editing videos or creating fake documents that deceive them into believing they are responsible for their own situation.
Moreover, the increasing misuse of medical tech is feared to pose an even greater threat in the coming years. Insulin tracking devices could potentially be misused by controlling blood sugar levels, leading to fatal consequences.
It's clear that more needs to be done to address this growing issue. Refuge urges the government to increase funding for digital investigations teams and to ensure the technology industry holds itself accountable for designing products that prioritize user safety.
The situation is a stark reminder of how quickly technology can be used against us, often without our consent or awareness. As the fight against domestic abuse continues to gain momentum, it's crucial that we address this critical issue head-on and provide support to those who are most vulnerable.
A staggering number of women who have been abused and controlled by their partners are now being referred to Refuge's specialist services, with record numbers highlighting a disturbing trend. According to the charity, perpetrators are increasingly using cutting-edge technology such as smartwatches, wearable devices, and AI-powered apps to track, stalk, and control their victims.
The situation has become so dire that Refuge has seen a 62% increase in complex cases, involving over 800 women who were subjected to this form of abuse. Moreover, there was also a notable rise in referrals of under-30s, indicating the widespread reach of this issue among all age groups.
Experts warn that these technologies are being used as tools for perpetrators to exert their power and control over victims, often with devastating consequences. The "smart accessories" - such as smartwatches, Oura rings, and Fitbits - can be easily accessed by anyone, allowing them to track the movements of the victim without their consent.
In one harrowing case, a survivor named Mina was forced to flee her abuser, leaving behind her smartwatch in haste. However, this simple act backfired when her abuser used the tracking feature linked to the cloud account to locate her new refuge, exposing her location and perpetuating a sense of constant fear.
The emotional toll on survivors is immense, as they are left to carry the burden of managing their situation without adequate support or protection. As Emma Pickering, head of Refuge's tech-facilitated abuse team, poignantly stated: "It is unacceptable for the safety and wellbeing of women and girls to be treated as an afterthought once a technology has been developed and distributed."
The rise in domestic abuse facilitated by technology has prompted a dire warning from experts. As Pickering noted, perpetrators are increasingly using AI tools to manipulate survivors, often through sophisticated methods such as editing videos or creating fake documents that deceive them into believing they are responsible for their own situation.
Moreover, the increasing misuse of medical tech is feared to pose an even greater threat in the coming years. Insulin tracking devices could potentially be misused by controlling blood sugar levels, leading to fatal consequences.
It's clear that more needs to be done to address this growing issue. Refuge urges the government to increase funding for digital investigations teams and to ensure the technology industry holds itself accountable for designing products that prioritize user safety.
The situation is a stark reminder of how quickly technology can be used against us, often without our consent or awareness. As the fight against domestic abuse continues to gain momentum, it's crucial that we address this critical issue head-on and provide support to those who are most vulnerable.
... like, I know technology is meant to make our lives easier but when it gets used to control & manipulate people it's just not right 
. These smart devices can be hacked or accessed by others which is a huge concern for survivors of domestic abuse. It's crazy that some abusers are using these gadgets to track their victims' movements and locations, making them feel like they're in constant danger 
. We need more support & protection for women & girls who are already going through so much trauma. I think it's essential for the tech industry to take responsibility for designing products that prioritize user safety & well-being 
. This is a massive concern when you think about how easily these devices can be used to track & control people without their consent 
. The fact that 800 women are being referred to Refuge's services due to complex cases involving AI-powered tracking & surveillance is just heartbreaking 
.
. This rise can be largely attributed to the increasing use of technology by perpetrators to control their victims 
. The stats are terrifying - 72% of women who experienced abuse said it was perpetrated by someone they knew 
.
More funding for digital investigations teams & stricter regulations on tech companies would be a great start 
. If we don't, the consequences will be disastrous 
. We can't just sit back and watch as technology is used against us 
.
. Like, I know some of my friends are into tracking their fitness goals and all, but can you imagine if someone else was using that same device to track your every move without consent? It's like, a nightmare come true 
. And it's not just smartwatches, it's also AI-powered apps and wearable devices... it's like, the tech industry is basically creating these tools for abusers to use against us 
. We need to talk about this more, like, seriously 
. Governments and tech companies need to take responsibility for creating these products that can be used to harm people. It's not just about funding digital investigations teams, it's about designing products that prioritize user safety from the get-go 
. I'm literally so frustrated right now 
, but at the same time, I'm also hopeful that we can make a difference and raise awareness about this issue 
. we need more funding for digital investigations teams and better regulations around AI and tech use. this is a crisis that requires immediate attention 
.
. We should be pushing the gov to make tech companies take responsibility for creating safe products 
. If we don't do something about this, it's gonna get worse 
. What can we do? 
so they can dictate how we live our lives? and the tech industry just sits on its hands? come on, guys. get with the times. this is a major red flag 
. The problem is, women are becoming so dependent on these gadgets that they're not even using them effectively to escape the abuse in the first place 
. And let's be real, if a smartwatch can't track down an abuser, what exactly can? 
the gov needs 2 step up its game & make sure tech companies r held accountable 4 designin products that dont harm ppl
. how can we trust companies like ours to design products that prioritize our safety when they're just using it as a way to make a buck 
no wonder the stats are going up. anyone who's had to deal with this kind of abuse knows that it's not just about the physical stuff, but also the constant feeling of being watched and controlled. and yeah, it's easy for abusers to use tech against their victims - after all, they're already basically walking around with a surveillance device on their wrist