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Digital and online safety

For someone experiencing domestic abuse, it can feel like every aspect of their world is controlled by the abuser – and the online world is no different. Although technology can help victims to access information and support, it can also provide abusers with even more ways to threaten and control. We now live our lives online more than ever, and simply advising victims to remove themselves from social media sites isn't enough. 

 

SafeLives’ guidance for practitioners and front-line workers:

General guidance for survivors, friends and family:

Sector organisations working on tech safety:

Bright Sky app by Hestia

Bright Sky is a free to download mobile app, launched by Hestia in partnership with the Vodafone Foundation, providing support and information to anyone who may be in an abusive relationship or those concerned about someone they know. The app is also designed to be used by specialist and non-specialist practitioners and other employers, and for anyone looking for information about issues around domestic abuse such as online safety, stalking and harassment and sexual consent. Find out more

Tech vs Abuse report

The Tech vs Abuse initiative saw SafeLives undertake a six-month research project to understand the potential opportunities, gaps and risks for technology in the context of domestic abuse – alongside partners Chayn, Snook and Comic Relief.

This research, which involved over 200 survivors and 350 professionals who support those affected by domestic abuse, looks into the ways in which technology can be a tool for an abuser, the areas where technology could help to support victims, and examples of the existing helpful technology.

Read the report or find out more.

Vodafone Lifeline report

Vodafone partnered with SafeLives to pilot the Lifeline project in the South East of England in 2017; this project was able to support vulnerable victims of domestic abuse by increasing their ability to contact support services and their family and friends. 

In 2018, Vodafone and SafeLives created Lifeline 2.0 to build on the learning from the first pilot and trial a national pilot.  The pilot was successful and you can read the recommendations in the report.

Read the report