Refuge's Tech Safety Newsletter April 2025
National Stalking Awareness Week
How emerging technology continues to facilitate the stalking of survivors of domestic abuse
The National Stalking Awareness Week 2025 runs from April 21-25th. Stalking and harassment remains a prevalent concern for the survivors we support, and perpetrators misuse of technology continues to facilitate these behaviours.
Perpetrators are misusing technology in many ways to track and monitor survivors and will go to extreme lengths to gather information. Technology has made it easier to perpetrate this form of abuse at the “push of a button” as opposed to the traditional time-consuming methods involved with physically stalking a survivor. Many devices and accounts that survivors are using will be tracking a survivor’s location, but many users are unaware of the data collected and the risks involved with someone gaining access to our technology.
One of the most concerning but common concerns we support on the Technology Facilitated Abuse and Economic Empowerment Team continues to be Stalkerware. We have previously talked about Stalkerware in our May 2024 Newsletter: When we refer to Stalkerware we are describing tools that enable someone to covertly monitor someone else’s private and personal life using their devices. These tools are extremely intrusive with features that allow for a frightening amount of information to be monitored, including location information.
We are learning that sophisticated software most commonly targeting government officials and journalist/civil agents, are using even more sophisticated methods of targeting and infecting the target device, using Zero Click methods. These methods require no action from the targeted person, there is no requirement to click links or enter information and there are often very few signs and symptoms that this has attack has occurred or that this software is running on the device. Zero click has been around for years and it is believed to be limited to targeted high profile individuals and not accessible software to most.
What are our concerns? We believe this is impacting survivors of domestic abuse and whilst not commonly seen to this extent, it is incredibly vital to consider the risks of these technologies becoming more accessible. With anything created and made, once the technology and ability exist the concern remains that there will be copycat, more accessible, cheaper versions with similar features and methods of installation. It is important to believe survivors raising concerns of Stalkerware.
We encourage survivors to practice good cyber hygiene with their technology where safe and possible to do so, ensuring their device operating systems and apps are updated when prompted as these updates often patch the security flaws. To check and remove any apps not recognised or no longer used and to avoid jailbreaking or rooting phones and using unofficial apps. As always we encourage the use of strong and secure passwords and 2 factor authentication to protect accounts and information and using an antivirus on devices.
The Refuge Technology Facilitated Abuse Team can offer support to survivors experiencing concerns around their technology, including concerns of stalkerware. Support can be found by calling the National Domestic Abuse Helpline on 0808 2000 247 from a safe and secure device where possible, or by visiting our Tech Safety Website www.refugetechsafety.org
Robotics Week: A Last Chance to Reflect, Before It’s Too Late?
If asked 20 years ago what the future of robotics would look like, what would you have predicted? Robot policing, bomb detection and rescue applications, home help for the elderly or disabled? If so, the current state of play for robotics might feel a little underwhelming. Robo-hoovers or desk assistants have their upsides, but the world of truly advanced robotics is still largely unavailable to most of us, for now… At Refuge, we’re no stranger to the ever-evolving world of technology, and how new and emerging technology is leveraged by perpetrators of abuse every day.
Late last year, Tesla held the ‘We Robot’ Event, where it had humanoid robots who ‘worked’ the event, serving drinks and mingling with the guests and it has since been reported that said robots could be ready for public sale as soon as 2026. With such advances in robotics on the horizon, perhaps it is time we reflected on our relationships with technology and acknowledge that there is work to be done here. With advanced robotics potentially entering the public sphere, we’re already considering how safety by design could help ensure women and girls are protected from new forms of abuse.
We know that AI assistants are often attributed a female voice (Article: National Geographic), re-enforcing gender stereotypes about women needing to be polite, helpful, and often subservient. We know that robots have been increasingly produced in the last decade as sex objects, with the violence enacted against them reenforcing harmful ideologies. We also know that when developing ‘male’ presenting AI and robotics, they can show dangerous attitudes towards women, with a launch in Saudi Arabia ending with a female reporter experiencing sexual harassment from the robot. Gendered violence and harm are very much alive in the world of robotics.
This robotics week, we’re calling on all developers, engineers, tech entrepreneurs, and anyone working (or aspiring to!) in the field. We know women working in stem fields are hugely underrepresented, at only approximately 5-10% of the workforce (Science Robitics: Overcoming the challenges that women in robotics face), but considerations of the potential harm robotics can perpetrate against women and girls needs to be moved to the front of the agenda.
So, we ask you to reflect this week; what can you do to centre the conversation around women’s safety? How can you encourage more diverse representation in the world of robotics? Are you incorporating violence against women and girls into your threat modelling? How can you use your voice to amplify the need to ensure a safer future for women and girls, before it’s too late?
The Tech Safety Summit is back!
We’re thrilled to announce the return of the Refuge UK Tech Safety Summit taking place virtually on the 23rd and 24th of September 2025.
After an incredible first edition, we’re back with even more powerful discussions and expert insights to address technology-facilitated abuse and economic abuse.
Technology is evolving fast and so are the risks and challenges survivors face. As the UK’s leading experts in technology-facilitated and economic abuse, Refuge is bringing together tech and financial experts, law enforcement agencies, frontline workers, academics, policymakers and advocates to explore innovative solutions to tackling these forms of abuse.
Event highlights:
• Expert-led sessions and workshops covering a wide range of topics, such as safety by design to minimise online harms and prioritise security and autonomy, or international police responses to the growing threat of crimes committed via AI-generated tools.
• Networking opportunities to connect with like-minded professionals from various sectors, exchange ideas and collaborate.
• Access to exclusive resources, research and tools designed to enhance tech safety and empower survivors.
Do you have an idea for a session?
We’re accepting proposals for sessions and workshops. If you have insights or expertise on the topic of technology-facilitated abuse and/or economic abuse, we’d love to hear from you! You can email your proposal to techsafetysummit@refuge.org.uk.
Nominate for the Tech Safety Awards!
Do you know any individuals or organisations making a difference on safety, advocacy and change? Nominations are open for the Tech Safety Awards that recognise outstanding contributions in the fight against technology-facilitated and economic abuse. Follow this link to nominate.
Make an impact – sponsorship opportunities
We’re seeking sponsors to make this event a success. Sponsorship provides a unique opportunity to showcase your commitment to tech safety and be recognised as a leader in combatting technology-facilitated and economic abuse. If your company is interested in partnering with us, we’d love to discuss sponsorship opportunities! Contact techsafetysummit@refuge.org.uk to find out more.
Don’t miss out and register today!
Secure your spot at the Tech Safety Summit 2025. Visit our website for more details and to sign up. Let’s work together to build a future where technology is a tool for empowerment and not abuse. See you at the Summit!