Abusers Exploit AI and Digital Tech, Targeting Women's Safety
A chilling trend is emerging in the world of domestic abuse: perpetrators are turning to AI, smartwatches, and other digital tools to attack and control their victims. This alarming development has been highlighted by a leading domestic abuse charity, Refuge, which has seen a surge in cases involving technology-facilitated abuse.
In the last quarter of 2025, Refuge witnessed a staggering increase in women seeking help after being abused and controlled through technology. The most complex cases rose by 62%, totaling 829 women, while referrals of under-30s increased by 24%. These numbers paint a disturbing picture of the growing threat posed by tech-savvy abusers.
But here's where it gets controversial... Abusers are now using everyday devices as weapons. Recent cases reveal perpetrators tracking and stalking women through wearable tech like smartwatches, fitness rings, and health trackers. They disrupt their victims' lives by hacking into smart home devices, and even use AI to impersonate others.
Emma Pickering, leading Refuge's tech-facilitated abuse team, emphasizes the urgent need for action: "The market is flooded with devices that can be easily weaponized against women and girls. It's shocking how perpetrators can access and misuse smart accessories, causing immense harm." Pickering argues that women's safety should be a core consideration during the design and regulation of wearable technology.
And this is the part most people miss: the emotional toll on survivors. Mina, a survivor, shared her harrowing experience of leaving her smartwatch behind while fleeing her abuser. He used linked cloud accounts to track her location, invading her privacy and sense of security. Despite police intervention, Mina's abuser continued to locate her, demonstrating the challenges in addressing this new form of abuse.
Mina's story highlights the systemic issues in handling tech-facilitated abuse. She was repeatedly asked to move for her safety instead of addressing the technology directly. This approach left her feeling displaced and responsible for managing a situation beyond her control. It underscores the need for a comprehensive response that prioritizes survivors' safety and well-being.
The controversy deepens... Abusers are also harnessing AI to manipulate survivors, altering videos to portray them negatively and using AI-generated documents to deceive and control. Pickering warns that as AI advances, these tactics will become more sophisticated, making it harder for survivors to prove their innocence.
Pickering's concerns extend to the potential misuse of medical tech, such as controlling insulin levels through diabetes trackers. She calls for government action, urging increased funding for digital investigations and holding the tech industry accountable for designing safer products.
While the government spokesperson affirms their commitment to tackling violence against women and girls, including online and technology-facilitated abuse, Pickering believes more needs to be done. She challenges the current regulatory frameworks, arguing for stronger measures to protect vulnerable individuals from digital threats.
What do you think? Are current regulations sufficient to tackle the growing issue of technology-facilitated abuse? Should the tech industry be held more accountable for the safety of their products? Share your thoughts in the comments, and let's spark a discussion on this critical issue.
