Refuge's Tech Safety Newsletter November 2024
16 days of activism – Can technology play a part?
This year's 16 days of activism will run from Monday the 25th of November to Tuesday the 10th of December. During this time, international campaigners run events that raise awareness of the issue of violence against women and girls and often feature a call to action. Getting involved in spreading meaningful campaigns, raising funds for services directly supporting survivors of abuse and other forms of violence, and platforms for sharing survivor voices have been enabled in the past few decades by technology. The reach of a physical billboard, understandably, can pale in comparison to the power of the internet. There are more than 5 billion internet users worldwide, who spend an average of more than 6 hours online each day, according to Statista and the Global Web Index. We rarely talk about the use of the internet in the world of violence against women and girls in a positive light. Still, the internet offers us unique opportunities for campaigning and fundraising. One such opportunity is live streaming for charities. In 2022, Just Giving reported that over £12 million was raised for charities via virtual events, and in 2023, Twitch reported that over £300 million was raised for US-based charities. If you’re considering streaming for charities, or helping supporters stream for charities, it’s important that we consider the safety of the fundraiser’s technology. Those who are most keen to be involved in the 16 days of activism may well be passionate as they’ve had some form of first-hand experience. The last thing anyone wants is for a fundraiser to find themselves exposed to online abuse or harassment. So, what can be done to stream safely? We recommend making sure any accounts you use to stream and fundraise are safe. This means ensuring that the account has a strong password that someone close to you won’t be able to guess. We also suggest setting two-factor authentication up on accounts, so you need a password and a code from a secondary device or account to log in. It’s a good idea if the platforms you are using allow you to check where else you’re logged into that account. Is it the only device you know and trust? This means its less likely anyone else could log into your account to watch what you’re up to, or ‘hi-jack’ your stream. Consider using a username or profile photo that gives you some anonymity and avoid having your face live-streamed if you’re worried that someone harmful might recognise you. We also recommend you review the privacy and safety settings available on your chosen platform. Ensure you know if you can remove people from your live stream, how to report abusive users of the platform, and if your platform allows you to moderate any chat features. Make an informed decision about the platform you’re using to stream and enjoy the experience! Using the online world to make a positive change should be an empowering experience. If you want to give it a go or are searching for inspiration, have a look at Refuge’s digital fundraising platform, and use the internet for good during the 16 days of activism.
Refuge Youth Tech Abuse Lead rolls out empowerment workshops for young people
As the Youth Tech Abuse Lead, my role focuses on supporting children, young people and their parents who are residing in our refuges and who may or may not have been impacted by technology-facilitated abuse.
By equipping both children and parents with skills to navigate the complexities of today’s online and digital world, I aim to help them regain control of their online and digital experiences. Through a series of targeted tech empowerment workshops, I work with young people to build confidence and understanding of online safety, teaching essential skills for managing privacy settings, protecting their online presence, and responding effectively to online and digital threats. Supporting parents is also a priority; by enhancing their knowledge of technology and online/digital spaces, they become better equipped to help their children face online challenges with greater awareness and resilience.
The online world, while full of opportunities, also presents an increasingly complex landscape where privacy concerns, cyberbullying, and tech-facilitated abuse, such as grooming, or harassment are real threats. Children are exposed to an online/digital environment that can be challenging to navigate without guidance, especially as online and digital interactions evolve, and new risks emerge. These complexities make it essential to help young people understand how to stay safe, spot potential dangers, and make informed decisions about their online behaviour. The rise in these risks has made it crucial for families to develop a strong understanding of online and digital safety.
The tech empowerment workshops I lead support this by covering many topics which include; identifying harmful content, recognising and reporting online abuse, and understanding the long-term impact of digital footprint. Ultimately, these workshops build resilience, self-empowerment, and informed online and digital citizenship. By teaching practical strategies for safeguarding online interactions, we empower both children and parents to make informed online and digital choices. This proactive approach prepares them to handle online and digital risks and builds a foundation for responsible tech use, for both children and importantly, for their parents, too.
Policy Updates
Our Policy updates will be on hold until the New Year, due to reduced capacity within the team. In the meantime, the Policy Team at Refuge will continue to complete this important work, and you can check out Refuge’s News Page for additional updates.
Refuge, in Conversation with… Romance Scam prevention day
This podcast episode dives into the world of romance scams - a form of online fraud where scammers create fake profiles on dating sites, social media, or messaging apps to manipulate victims into believing they are in a genuine romantic relationship. Once trust is established, they exploit emotional bonds to request money, claiming emergencies or promising a future together.
During this episode, Becky and Phoebe discuss how technology plays a significant role in facilitating these scams; scammers leverage social media, dating platforms, and encrypted messaging apps to target and communicate with potential victims, often hiding their true identities behind stolen photos and fabricated details. These scammers prey on loneliness, trust, and the natural human desire for companionship.