Refuge's Tech Safety Newsletter April 2026
Refuge's Tech Safety Newsletter - April 2026
How Technology is Reshaping Sexual Abuse
From voyeurism to extreme pornography, technology facilitated sexual abuse is undoubtably on the rise. In November 2025, new data from the Office for National Statistics showed that image based sexual abuse and ‘cyberflashing’ offences were responsible for over half of the 11% increase in reported sexual offences that year. Often, when we think about this topic, our brains jump straight to subjects like ‘deepfakes’, AI altered content that depicts someone saying or doing something that they never did. This is an incredibly important area of concern, but sexual technology facilitated abuse is much broader than we first think. It includes coercive and controlling behaviours such as online harassment, digital impersonation and covert recording.
However, it is crucial when considering sexual technology facilitated abuse that we ask, what do we mean by sexualised content? Much of the existing legislation and support options do not account for cultural, religious or societal interpretations of ‘intimate’ meaning many survivors are ignored. Content showing someone without a hijab or in a same sex relationship can be just as damaging as content depicting a state of undress or performing a sexualised act, often exposing individuals to harassment, transphobia, homophobia and harmful practices. As a result, we must be considering what is intimate for that person to fully understand the scale and scope of this issue.
Recently, the landscape around sexual abuse has continued to change rapidly, largely due to emerging technologies. At the start of 2026, we saw first-hand increasing reports of women being secretly recorded using META smart glasses before being trolled online, with UK domestic abuse organisations calling the technology a “direct and serious risk” to survivors.
AI technology is another key player, changing how sexual technology facilitated abuse is executed, portrayed and responded to. This technology is not only posing a risk to adults but also to children. Between 2024–2025, the Internet Watch Foundation reported a 26,385% increase in child sexual abuse material. Of these, 65% were classed as Category A, the most extreme form.
While these developments can feel overwhelming, they raise interesting questions about the wider cultural context. Algorithmic biases, legislative gaps and changing digital norms feed the creation of harmful, sexual content. As this becomes more embedded in digital spaces, there is a growing risk that abusive online sexual behaviours are not only enabled, but normalised and reinforced online.
Training opportunities with Refuge
Access Half Day (3.5 Hour) CPD Sessions
We are excited to announce that we are launching our third round of online half day open access trainings.
All trainings are CPD accredited and provide a deeper insight into key aspect of technology facilitated and economic abuse.
Designed with alongside survivors and frontline caseworkers, our trainings aim to empower professionals to better identify tech-based harms and improve support for survivors of domestic abuse and their children.
Identifying and Responding to Economic Abuse
Wednesday 15th April - 9:30am-1pm
Technology Facilitated Abuse: Safeguarding Children and Young People
Wednesday 20th May - 10am-1:30pm
Get your tickets
Intimate Image Based Abuse
Thursday 21st May - 9:30am-1pm
Online Stalking and Harassment
Wednesday 27th May - 9:30am-1pm
Upcoming podcast episodes
Refuge... In Conversation With, SignHealth
Featuring Dr Carly Stonard from the University of Wolverhampton and Marie Vickers, Head of Domestic Abuse Services at Sign Health. This episode focuses on the barriers d/Deaf survivors face when trying to access help.
They discuss how technology like BSL 999 can improve access at moments of crisis, where systems still currently fall short, and what needs to change to ensure d/Deaf survivors can access safe, consistent and inclusive support.
Refuge... In Conversation With, SARSAS
Featuring Jade Hamilton from SARSAS, this episode focuses on the overlap between technology-facilitated sexual abuse and domestic abuse. It explores the real-world impact this has on survivors, and why technology-facilitated sexual abuse must be taken just as seriously as other forms of sexual abuse.
You can follow our podcast on Spotify to keep up to date on new releases.
If you have been impacted by any of the issues discussed in this article, do know that support is available. For domestic abuse support, please contact the National Domestic Abuse Helpline on a trusted device. The National Domestic Abuse Helpline can be accessed 24/7 and provides both practical and emotional support to individuals impacted by domestic abuse. The Helpline can be contacted on a freephone 0808 2000 247. Support is also available via British Sign Language – 10 AM to 6 PM Monday to Friday. You can also access further guidance and information on intimate image based abuse from Revenge Porn Helpline. Reporting tools Report Remove (under 18) and Stop NCII are also available and free to use if you believe your intimate content has been shared. If you would like support with image takedown requests, Chayn’s free Survivor AI tool can walk you through the process.
To find out more information about digital safety and how you can keep your information safe online, please access Refuge’s tech safety guides through our website on a trusted device.