Content warning:
This article discusses aspects of domestic violence and abuse.
An estimated two million adults experienced
domestic abuse in the UK last year, according to the Office for National
Statistics. Women were twice as likely to have experienced domestic violence as
men, while women of color were three times more likely to die at the hands of
their partners than white women.
In the digital age, it’s easier to find
information on how to get help and connect with other survivors. Unfortunately,
technology also gives abusers new avenues to control and manipulate the
survivors. Knowing how tech can be used against them is an important first step
for survivors to ensure personal safety.
This guide discusses some of the ways technology is used by domestic abusers and how
survivors can strive towards greater digital autonomy.
Make sure you can trust your
devices
There are many spyware programs out there. It’s not uncommon for
domestic abusers to extend their control over survivors by installing tracking
software on their devices. This type of software can track the target’s
location, intercept their messages, record their calls, and more.
Signs that your device might have been tampered with:
- Your device behaves differently than it used to
- Your abuser took your device
from you for an extended period
- Your abuser knows intimate
details from your life, such as what you did at a specific time or contents of
the messages you send
- Tapping software will likely
consume quite a lot of battery power. If your battery runs out faster than it
used it could be a red flag
- There is unusual background noise
when you’re on a call
It’s hard for a layperson to know for sure
whether there’s a tracking software on their device, but if you notice one or more
of these red flags it’s better to err on the side of caution. Remember also
there are many ways to track you: the abuser could have planted a GPS tracker
in your car or installed secret cameras at home. Stay vigilant.
Regain control of your devices
Suspecting that there is tapping software on your device? The easiest
course of action would, of course, be to uninstall it. However, a lot of
spyware software is hidden, so you won’t be able to simply find the right icon
and delete it.
If that’s the case, try restoring your device to factory settings. This
is a drastic measure as it wipes your entire device clean, but it should get
rid of the tapping software in the process. Make sure you backup all your files
and information before you do this.
Once you’ve regained control of your device, you can take steps to
prevent the abuser from installing a tapping program on it again. Choose a new
screen lock on your phone or a new password on your laptop. Ideally, don’t use
the fingerprint, face scanner, or other biometric unlocking features. Someone
could try unlocking your phone with your finger while you’re asleep.
If you’re not sure whether the
spyware is gone from your device, consider the device unsafe to use. If
possible, use a desktop computer in your local library for looking up sensitive
information and communicating with your friends.
Take steps against financial
abuse
Financial
abuse is one of the forms of domestic abuse where the abuser uses financial
dependence as a means of control. Women living with HIV are particularly
vulnerable to this form of abuse — the discrimination against HIV-positive
professionals can make earning a living especially tough.
If
you’re not sure whether you’re a victim of financial abuse, you can use these questions to identify your situation.
The important first step to battle financial
abuse is to secure your own financial means. Your abuser likely has access to
your bank card statements, National Insurance number, or other identifying
information. Thanks to all this sensitive data, they can access your current
accounts, freeze your assets, or transfer them to their own account.
Take proactive steps to prevent your abuser
from taking your financial means away. You can call your bank and credit card
companies to change your account numbers, PIN numbers, passwords, and other
access codes. Ask your bank to disable online banking for your account. Online
banking is the easiest way for your abuser to impersonate you and take control
of your money.
Secure your personal data
Your abuser withholding important documents
and financial records from you is a scenario you should prepare for. If you
still have safe access to your documents, make digital copies of them and store
them in a safe place that your abuser doesn’t know about. If you’re certain you
can trust your device, upload them into cloud storage. Otherwise, you can buy a
USB stick, upload the files there, and keep it hidden.
Some of the documents you might want copies of
include your passport, birth certificate, marriage certificate, copies of your
checking account, savings account, and credit card numbers, your children’s
travel documents, driving license, medical records, insurance policies, and
loan/mortgage information.
