A leading expert on domestic violence has warned how smartphones can be used by abusers to control their partners – but also as a means for victims to escape from them.
Alessia Bianco leads the Everyone’s Business team at the crisis aid organization Hestia. She and her team work with employers to support victims of domestic violence.
One in three women and one in seven men in England and Wales will experience domestic violence at some point in their lives. Every week, two women are murdered by a current or ex-partner.
In 2018, Hestia – in collaboration with Vodafone Foundation – released the app and website Bright Sky to provide victims and concerned bystanders with practical support and information.
Now Vodafone and Hestia are teaming up again to share some expert tips on how Brits can better secure their devices from the prying eyes of an abusive partner.
It comes as new research from Vodafone shows that three-quarters (75%) of women have considered using their smartphone to escape an unsafe situation.
Vodafone research found that of women who have experienced abuse or been in unsafe situations, almost nine in ten (88%) who were able to connect with others online to discuss their experiences said it was essential for their mental health.
While 73% of people agree that websites and dedicated apps are useful [4] of those affected by domestic abuse, almost one in three (29%) would currently consider using apps or online resources for support if they or someone they know was in an abusive or unsafe situation.
A leading expert on domestic violence has warned how abusers can use smartphones to control their partners – but also as a means for victims to escape from them (File image)
Around two-fifths (42%) of women said they would prefer to access support for abuse or safety issues online or on the phone rather than in person.
The majority (68%) of women indicate that looking up a problem online (for example via Google) would be their first point of contact if they have any concerns.
Alessia has worked in the domestic abuse sector for fifteen years, including ten years on the frontline, working in shelters and handling calls from victims.
She believes that new and increasingly advanced technology can be used in our lives by both the perpetrators, but especially the victims of domestic violence.
While her charity regularly hears about how spyware and tracking software are being used by perpetrators, apps like Bright Sky are a real life-saver for victims.
Technology-based coercive control can seem caring and helpful, and these “red flags” can often be overlooked during the exciting early stages of a relationship, when emotions are higher.
A partner that helps set up digital accounts and apps by accessing login credentials can give perpetrators the ability to monitor an individual’s activity online.
Alessia said: ‘Domestic violence is about power and control, and what we often see at the beginning of a relationship is ‘love bombing’: the perpetrator gives someone a lot of affirmations. It is often during this time that things are exciting and people are surprised that they miss the alarm signals.
‘Sometimes things happen very quickly: the couple moves in together, they get engaged and then there is a pregnancy. But then the abuser will start to change the “rules of the relationship.”
‘It often starts very subtly, with the perpetrator saying things like: ‘Why are you wearing that dress today?’ You should wear something else.”
‘Maybe they will control what the victim eats and who they see. We often see victims and survivors who are miles away from their support network.
“Then it could be, ‘Who is that texting you?’ or the victim may notice that the battery is draining faster than normal. But it’s all very subtle.
‘We speak to women that they find tracker tags in their car and in their bag. Perpetrators use it and programs such as ‘find my phone’.”
The Bright Sky app and website provides information and support for anyone who may be in an abusive relationship or is concerned about someone they know.
Two key features of the app are the quiz that helps users identify abusive behavior and the diary feature, which allows users to document their concerns and abuse.
Alessia said: ‘The questionnaire is a yes/no quiz and depending on people’s answers it might say, ‘You may be experiencing domestic violence’ and give you some things to think about.
Hestia launched the Bright Sky app and website in 2018 – in collaboration with Vodafone Foundation – to provide victims and concerned bystanders with practical support and information (File image)
‘The other very useful aspect of Bright Sky is the diary. It allows you to share videos, voice notes, images and evidence, essentially documenting the abuse you may be experiencing.
‘Many clients use the diary feature specifically to document what’s happening around them, as perpetrators can gaslight and be really manipulative, saying things like ‘you’re remembering wrong, I didn’t do or say that.’
‘Bright Sky does not store this information, but sends it to whatever email address you enter, which could be an employer or a trusted friend.’
Alessia added: ‘But there is still a large percentage of people who are not tech-savvy, especially the elderly who are often the forgotten victims of domestic violence.’