Tech abuse: What is digital coercive control and why is it increasing?

Katie Templeton-Knight has been exploring the issue of technology-facilitated abuse for ITV News. You may find some of the details in this report distressing.

A woman from north Cumbria has spoken anonymously to ITV News, describing the years of technology-facilitated abuse and sexual violence she faced by a former partner.

Charities warn that coercive control through technology is increasing and as technology evolves, it’s becoming easier for perpetrators to commit these types of crimes.

A woman we are calling Sarah told ITV News that initially she thought it was "sweet" and "loving" that her former partner wanted to know where she was all the time.

However, she soon started to realise that something much more sinister was happening.

He would frequently turn up in places she was, which he would claim was coincidental. He also knew information about her that she had only told close friends.

Sarah did not know this until much later, but by going through her phone when she was not looking, he found her passwords, photos and private messages.

After discovering the password to her iCloud, he logged on through his own phone, which allowed him to track her every move.

He could see who she was talking to, what she was booking online and how much money she was spending.

He started to control who she was allowed to text and later installed spyware apps on her phone.

When she tried to leave the relationship, he threatened to publish her private photos and messages on social media.

Following years of abuse, she went to the police, and the perpetrator received a lengthy prison sentence.

What is digital coercive control?

Digital coercive control refers to when technology is weaponised by a perpetrator so that they can control, harass or intimidate their partner. It is a type of technology-facilitated domestic abuse or “tech abuse”.

Examples of this can include restricting someone’s access to their devices, cyberstalking, using social media, hidden cameras, or even smart home devices like thermostats or speakers.

Coercive control has been a crime since 2015, but it wasn’t until the Domestic Abuse Act 2021 that the definition was expanded to include coercive control through technology.

The Online Safety Bill, passed in 2023, also identified controlling and coercive behaviour as a “priority offence”, which means tech companies need to both prevent and remove coercive control content from their sites.

However, this is difficult to enforce when it takes place away from social media platforms, including over text.

To meet rising demand, Refuge set up a specialist technology-facilitated abuse service in 2017.

Between the first year of service to 2024, they’ve seen a 207% increase in referrals.

But they say this could be just the tip of the iceberg, as there’s limited research done into just how common this issue is.

How the police investigate these crimes:

A report by Liverpool University looked at several police forces in the North of England, including Cumbria, Merseyside and Durham.

The report found that even when coercive control was suspected, officers could not easily distinguish it from behaviour that was not abusive.

For example, sending lots of messages in the early days of a relationship could be the sign of excitement and mutual attraction, or it could indicate monitoring.

The report also found that when gathering evidence of these crimes, basic but essential information was missing.

This included telephone numbers, profile names and IDs, and screenshots which could have been used as initial evidence or to identify the correct social media profile.

Police forces say that they’ve made changes to address these concerns.

For example, in the last year, Cumbria Police has increased the number of specialist investigators looking specifically at technology-related crimes.

The force has also developed a “digital toolkit” to provide training and resources on how to spot digital coercive control.

Over the past few years, Cumbria Police has seized surveillance devices and hidden cameras disguised as everyday items such as vanity mirrors or USB sticks disguised as car keys.

How can you protect yourself?

One of the most troubling aspects of this type of abuse is that some people do not realise that it is happening to them.

Perpetrators can download spyware and surveillance apps onto their partner’s phones without their knowledge, especially if the perpetrator is controlling their partner’s access to their phone.

However, there is support and advice available through any of the resources below if you believe you might be at risk.

Domestic Abuse Advice and Support:

Refuge

Refuge supports more than 6,000 clients on any one day, helping them rebuild their lives and overcome many different forms of violence and abuse.

They have a step-by-step guide online as well as an interactive tool about how to secure your phone if you suspect technology-facilitated abuse is happening to you.

• If you, or someone you care about, is experiencing domestic abuse, you can call The National Domestic Abuse Helpline on 0808 2000 247.

The Revenge Porn Helpline

The Revenge Porn Helpline supports all adult victims of intimate image abuse living in the UK. This includes those who have had private sexual images shared without consent, threatened to be shared without consent, or taken without consent. We also provide advice and information to those targeted by sextortion and webcam blackmail.

• If you have been a victim of intimate image abuse, a helpline practitioner can give you advice and support. The number is 0345 6000 459.

• Or you can send an email or online live chat.

Women’s Aid

Women’s Aid is the national charity working to end domestic abuse against women and children. They have been at the forefront of shaping and coordinating responses to domestic violence and abuse through practice for more than 45 years.

• You can send an email to a Women’s Aid domestic abuse support worker.

• Or you can use their online live chat.

Freedom Project

The Freedom Project is a free domestic abuse charity based in West Cumbria, working with victims, perpetrators and children suffering from trauma and effects of domestic and sexual abuse.

• You can contact the helpline by phone: 07712 117986.

• Or you can send a form on their website.

ManKind:

The Mankind Initiative is the principal, expert and specialist charity in the UK focussing on male victims of domestic abuse.

The charity collaborates and works in close partnership with other organisations and practitioners to support these victims too. It was the first in Great Britain to support male victims.

• You can call ManKind on 01823 334 244 (Monday to Friday, 10am to 4pm)

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