Domestic abuse charities warn survivors about second phones ahead of Sunday's emergency alert test

Domestic abuse charities have warned an emergency alert test taking place on Sunday 7th September could put survivors at risk.

The alert will blast a sound for 10 seconds, at 3pm, to all 4G and 5G phones in the UK.

The alert could reveal the existence of a survivor's hidden second phone used to seek help, putting them at immediate danger, the charities have said.

Those at risk are being urged to turn the emergency alert off in their phone settings.

The alert will still sound if phones are on silent, and there is also the danger that phones that have been switched off could still sound when turned back on after the alert.

Refuge is a Domestic abuse charity highlighting the risk the alert poses to survivors.

Ellie Butt, Refuge’s Head of Policy and Public Affairs said: "There will be a significant number of people where this could be really dangerous for them, if their perpetrator finds out that they have a secondary phone, that they are trying to pull back some of that control, and perhaps planning to leave"

This is the second test of the system designed to warn the public in the event of life-threatening emergencies, such as floods or wildfires.

Charities say information on how to switch the alert off is buried deep in the government website, making it difficult to find.

They say the government needs to do more to help survivors of domestic abuse, especially when it comes to policymaking: "We really need to be thinking about people that are experiencing domestic abuse in all public policy. Sadly, 1 in 4 women are subject to domestic abuse over their lifetime.

"It's not a small number of people, and it's something we really need to consider at every level."

The test is scheduled to happen every two years.

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Refuge says that while each test presents risk to survivors, it also gives opportunity to turn the function off now, so that if there were a real emergency, they would not be caught off guard.

"It's a good illustration of how we can be doing something, thinking about flood defences and informing people about danger. But at the same time, we need to be thinking about the women that are juggling risk and trying to keep themselves safe and protect themselves in their everyday lives."

The National Domestic Abuse helpline is 0808 2000 247, and more information is available on Refuge’s website.

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