Tech safety tools being weaponised in more stalking cases, charity says
FearFree says people experiencing stalking must reach out for help
A Wiltshire charity supporting people affected by stalking says it's seeing a growing number of cases where technology is being used to cause harm.
FearFree says the worrying trend is highly concerning and is urging people affected by stalking behaviour to reach out for help, insisting that we will be believed.
In the last year, the charity has handled more than 200 referrals involving stalking.
Stalking can be identified using the FOUR acronym. If behaviour is Fixated, Obsessive, Unwanted and Repeated, we should ask for support.
Safety tools being weaponised
Sophie is a stalking advocate at Trowbridge-based FearFree and says technology is making stalking a low-effort crime with enormous consequences.
"In the past, a stalker might have had to physically follow someone, which was not only risky for them, but massively time consuming," she said. "But now they can harass someone from a smartphone or while sitting on their sofa, exerting that control, creating that fear, that terror from miles away."
She told us that smart apps and tools that are designed to boost safety are being weaponised by perpetrators to cause distress.
Sophie said: "Many of these tools like the Find My Friend, Life 360, family planning apps, they start as things used for safety, for family logistics. And seeing them turned into weapons of surveillance is hugely concerning because we're turning that tool of care into a tool of fear."
She added that it's removing something that everyone should be entitled to, which is the safety of being at home.
"Home should be the place that we feel the safest," she said: "But with that smart tech, you know, thermostats, light bulbs, doorbells, cameras, an abuser can reach into your home from miles away."
The fact that perpetrators are able to control technology within homes of others from afar allows them to send a message that they're in control.
The almost invisible footprint of technology can be a barrier to people reaching out for help, with Sophie saying it can be tough for prove to police that an ex-partner is manipulating a person's tv streaming account or tracking their car.
She said it can lead to a gaslighting effect where people feel they won't be believed and that prevents them reaching out for help earlier.
A life-altering experience
Sophie described the impact of stalking as "slow-motion trauma" that creates a mental exhaustion.
The perpetrators actions leave their victim on high alert at all times, which is both physically and mentally draining, as well as leaving people in a state of constant fear and worry.
"Because of that intense fear, you know, victims will start self-policing. They'll stop going to the gym, they'll change their routes to work, they'll delete their social media, start restricting their social activities," Sophie explained. "Their world becomes smaller and smaller just so they can feel that little bit safer. And as your physical world shrinks, you know, your sense of self starts to erode as well."
She told us that, in many cases, a perpetrator of stalking can be a person who knows their victim intimately and uses that knowledge as a weapon against people.
"That creates such deep rooted suspicion that bleeds into absolutely everything. You start to distrust your friends, your family, even your children's devices. And the distrust does extend to professionals as well," Sophie said.
If you’re affected by issues raised in this article, there is help available from your local domestic abuse service at https://www.fearfree.org.uk/.
· The National Domestic Abuse Helpline is 0808 2000 247 (run by Refuge)
· The Men’s Advice Line, for male domestic abuse survivors is 0808 801 0327 (run by Respect)
· The National LGBT+ Domestic Abuse Helpline is 0800 999 5428 (run by Galop)
If you are in immediate danger always call 999.