Emma Pickering, Head Of Technology-Facilitated Abuse And Economic Empowerment, Refuge

Why It Matters

The surge underscores a widening digital threat to domestic‑violence survivors and highlights urgent gaps in law‑enforcement capability and policy response.

Key Takeaways

• Referrals up 62% year‑over‑year in 2025
• Under‑30 survivors increased 24% in tech abuse cases
• Police often lack training on digital coercive control
• Wearables and spy‑cams emerging tools for stalkers
• Evidence can be wiped remotely before analysis

Pulse Analysis

The digital dimension of intimate partner violence is accelerating faster than the legal system can adapt. Refuge’s data shows a 62% rise in tech‑facilitated abuse referrals in 2025, driven by sophisticated stalkerware, AI‑generated deep‑fakes, and everyday smart accessories turned surveillance tools. Younger adults are disproportionately affected, with a 24% increase in cases involving victims under 30, signalling that digital coercion is becoming a norm in modern relationships.

Law‑enforcement agencies face a steep learning curve. Investigators often lack the technical expertise to interpret evidence from wearables, cloud‑linked devices, or hidden microphones, and new iPhone security features can block forensic access. Perpetrators can remotely wipe data, erasing crucial trails before analysts can act. Coupled with limited funding and inconsistent use of statutes like the Computer Misuse Act, these gaps result in low charge and conviction rates for tech‑enabled abuse.

Addressing the crisis requires coordinated policy and operational reforms. A dedicated government strategy should fund trauma‑informed training delivered by VAWG specialists, ensure police have the tools to preserve digital evidence, and mandate cooperation from tech firms to facilitate lawful access. Strengthening legislation, expanding specialist support, and raising public awareness of emerging threats such as deep‑fake impersonation will help close the evidentiary gap and protect survivors from evolving digital abuse.