Revolutionising Online Safety: Tackling Technology-Facilitated Abuse to Protect Victims and Survivors of Intimate Partner Violence
Lead Research Organisation:
University College London
Department Name: Science, Tech, Eng and Public Policy
Abstract
Online abuse is one of the most pressing challenges for our digital society. This is best demonstrated in the context of intimate partner violence (IPV) which continues to affect over two million UK adults with nearly 85% of victims/survivors subjected to some form of technology-facilitated abuse ("tech abuse"). Tech abuse describes the use of "everyday" digital systems (computers, smartphones, apps) to coerce, control, and harm a person or groups of individuals. It includes offences such as image-based abuses ("revenge porn"), cyberstalking, and GPS-tracking. It exposes victims/survivors and their children to all types of physical, emotional, and financial harm.
However, the true scale, nature, and impact of tech abuse is unknown, which makes developing solutions extremely problematic. Additionally, the issue is of pressing importance because tech abuse is on the brink of rapid change. As "smart", Internet of Things (IoT) devices and Artificial Intelligence (AI) become commonplace, these systems drastically increase the reach of abusers and the ease with which they offend. For example, smart speakers or thermostats allow abusers to monitor or remotely control the physical environment of victims/survivors and gives them increased power over their most private data.
The proposed research programme draws on my specialisation on the intersection of emerging technologies, cybersecurity, and gender studies, developed through over 32 publications. The initial four years of my FLF will provide me with a leadership platform to drive change by studying:
(a) The conceptual fit of tech abuse with existing IPV definitions, theories, and models.
(b) The background, drivers, and practices of IPV tech abuse perpetrators.
(c) The safety and security shortcomings of existing digital systems such as smart, Internet-connected devices.
(d) The national and international policy landscape relating to domestic abuse, online harms, and cybercrime.
To achieve this, my FLF leverages excellent partnerships with a cross-sectoral mix of world-leading users and beneficiaries, including industrial (IBM, Kaspersky, Fujitsu, IoT Security Foundation), third sector (Respect, Refuge, Suzy Lamplugh Trust, European Network for the Work with Perpetrators of Domestic Violence), academic (Prof Marianne Hester OBE, Prof Elizabeth Yardley, Dr Nicola Henry), and policy stakeholders (National Cyber Security Centre, Home Office, College of Policing).
Moreover, I have confirmed policy placements (UK Domestic Abuse Commissioner) and research visits (Cornell Tech, University of Melbourne), all of which are central to collate, validate, and triangulate data, to co-develop societal responses/technical design recommendations, and to advance my career, as well as my team's.
Together, my FLF will result in an unprecedented evidence-base to revolutionise the tech abuse landscape to support the security and safety of IPV victims/survivors, with the findings of the first four years culminating in the co-creation of interventions and the establishment of a much-needed theory of change.
However, the true scale, nature, and impact of tech abuse is unknown, which makes developing solutions extremely problematic. Additionally, the issue is of pressing importance because tech abuse is on the brink of rapid change. As "smart", Internet of Things (IoT) devices and Artificial Intelligence (AI) become commonplace, these systems drastically increase the reach of abusers and the ease with which they offend. For example, smart speakers or thermostats allow abusers to monitor or remotely control the physical environment of victims/survivors and gives them increased power over their most private data.
The proposed research programme draws on my specialisation on the intersection of emerging technologies, cybersecurity, and gender studies, developed through over 32 publications. The initial four years of my FLF will provide me with a leadership platform to drive change by studying:
(a) The conceptual fit of tech abuse with existing IPV definitions, theories, and models.
(b) The background, drivers, and practices of IPV tech abuse perpetrators.
(c) The safety and security shortcomings of existing digital systems such as smart, Internet-connected devices.
(d) The national and international policy landscape relating to domestic abuse, online harms, and cybercrime.
To achieve this, my FLF leverages excellent partnerships with a cross-sectoral mix of world-leading users and beneficiaries, including industrial (IBM, Kaspersky, Fujitsu, IoT Security Foundation), third sector (Respect, Refuge, Suzy Lamplugh Trust, European Network for the Work with Perpetrators of Domestic Violence), academic (Prof Marianne Hester OBE, Prof Elizabeth Yardley, Dr Nicola Henry), and policy stakeholders (National Cyber Security Centre, Home Office, College of Policing).
Moreover, I have confirmed policy placements (UK Domestic Abuse Commissioner) and research visits (Cornell Tech, University of Melbourne), all of which are central to collate, validate, and triangulate data, to co-develop societal responses/technical design recommendations, and to advance my career, as well as my team's.
Together, my FLF will result in an unprecedented evidence-base to revolutionise the tech abuse landscape to support the security and safety of IPV victims/survivors, with the findings of the first four years culminating in the co-creation of interventions and the establishment of a much-needed theory of change.
Organisations
- University College London (Fellow, Lead Research Organisation)
- Redbridge London Borough Council (Collaboration)
- European Institute for Gender Equality (Collaboration)
- Refuge (Collaboration, Project Partner)
- Chatham House (Collaboration)
- National Crime Agency (Collaboration)
- National Cyber Security Centre (Project Partner)
- College of Policing (Project Partner)
- IBM (United Kingdom) (Project Partner)
- Birmingham City University (Project Partner)
- HOME OFFICE (Project Partner)
- RMIT University (Project Partner)
- Kaspersky UK Ltd (Project Partner)
- Fujitsu (United Kingdom) (Project Partner)
- University of Melbourne (Project Partner)
- Cornell Tech (Project Partner)
- University of Bristol (Project Partner)
- Suzy Lamplugh Trust (Project Partner)
- Tech Works (Project Partner)
- Respect (Project Partner)
- Domestic Abuse Commissioner (Project Partner)
- Work with Perpetrators WWP EN (Project Partner)
Publications
Brown A
(2024)
Safeguarding the "Internet of Things" for Victim-Survivors of Domestic and Family Violence: Anticipating Exploitative Use and Encouraging Safety-by-Design
in Violence Against Women
Douglas H
(2023)
Policing Technology-Facilitated Domestic Abuse (TFDA): Views of Service Providers in Australia and the United Kingdom
in Journal of Family Violence
Isabel Straw
(2023)
Safeguarding patients from technology-facilitated abuse in clinical settings: A narrative review
in PLOS Digital Health
Maria Tanczer L
(2023)
Technology and Domestic and Family Violence - Victimisation, Perpetration and Responses
McManus S
(2023)
Receiving threatening or obscene messages from a partner and mental health, self-harm and suicidality: results from the Adult Psychiatric Morbidity Survey.
in Social psychiatry and psychiatric epidemiology
Michalec, O.
(2023)
Towards a Research Agenda: Tackling Violence Against Women and Girls Online
Neubauer L
(2023)
A Systematic Literature Review of the Use of Computational Text Analysis Methods in Intimate Partner Violence Research
in Journal of Family Violence
Straw I
(2023)
Medical cyber crises and biotechnological syndromes: a multisite clinical simulation study focused on digital health complaints.
in Lancet (London, England)
| Description | I designed my fellowship (Round 6) to protect victims/survivors of Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) from the risks that digital technologies create and ensured strong, real-world partnerships - across (inter)national policy, industry, and public sector stakeholders - from day one. This proactivity has enabled me to achieve a range of exceptional early impacts: [1] STRA https://www.vkpp.org.uk/assets/VAWG-STRA-PUBLIC-OFFICIAL.pdf I have directly contributed to tech abuse being recognised as a national threat in the first-ever national threat assessment of crimes posing the greatest danger to women and girls, as well as playing a central role in the UK Government accepting tech abuse as a priority. The Strategic Threat Risk Assessment (STRA) which I played a pivotal role in shaping, recognises tech abuse as a strategic risk for the first time - and places Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) on the same footing as counter terrorism. It is having a major impact on the policing response to VAWG, enabling Police Chiefs to understand and respond to the threat, as well as strategically plan for the future - something that had been lacking, as recognised by the DCMS Select Committee earlier this year. I co-ordinated and delivered a hybrid roundtable, bringing together key stakeholders from the third sector, academia, the policy community, and the Police. This informed the online VAWG section of the STRA, providing critical insight and information on how online VAWG surfaces and enabling the identification of emerging threats through strong partnership collaboration - plugging Police intelligence and data gaps. The NPCC described my role in developing the STRA as 'invaluable' and my research was cited in their evidence base. The STRA was shared with every Force in the UK, with clear expectations around implementation. The training that I supported development of, on tech abuse for frontline officers, has already been completed more than 6000 times and been made mandatory by five forces. [2] Policing Tool https://www.college.police.uk/article/digital-investigative-skills-operation-modify https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/642d3f9e7de82b001231364d/Controlling_or_Coercive_Behaviour_Statutory_Guidance_-_final.pdf Complementary to the STRA, I supported the development of a new "online perpetrator programme" training tool for frontline officers, enabling them to understand how to respond to tech abuse. I introduced key stakeholders, reviewed e-learning scripts and acted as a critical friend before the tool went live. The College of Policing described my research and efforts as having 'strongly influenced and impacted' this project (Operation Modify). Additionally, my research has highlighted issues in the criminal justice response to tech abuse, and I have worked directly with partners to help design solutions. I have already delivered several publications through my FLF and contributed to multiple Government consultations, including on the Home Office's Controlling or Coercive Behaviour Statutory Guidance - which now recognises tech abuse - and their approach to digital evidence on appeal judgements on which I am cited. [3] Tech Abuse in UK Government Report https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm5803/cmselect/cmcumeds/157/report.html I provided written and oral evidence to the Select Committee Inquiry into Connected Tech, contributed to calls for evidence to shape Government policy, and worked directly with officials at Departments including the Home Office to support their response to issues such as digital evidence in appeal judgements and the Computer Misuse Act. As highlighted by the Select Committee Report, there is a need for more coherent data from law enforcement. I am nearing completion of a Delphi Study to define tech abuse, which will support efforts around quantification-an issue raised by almost every organisation we speak with. The study is being supported by UN Women and UNFPA, who recognise the benefits it will be to their teams. It is also relevant for WHO and EIGE, of which I am a member, and is likely to have a global impact. |
| Exploitation Route | I believe it will help to break down disciplinary and stakeholder siloes to enable greater impact in tech, policing, the domestic abuse sector and beyond. |
| Sectors | Communities and Social Services/Policy Digital/Communication/Information Technologies (including Software) Government Democracy and Justice |
| URL | https://www.ucl.ac.uk/computer-science/research/research-labs/gender-and-tech |
| Description | My work has influenced the following documents and strategies: [1] Strategic Threat Risk Assessment (STRA): https://www.vkpp.org.uk/assets/VAWG-STRA-PUBLIC-OFFICIAL.pdf [2] Police Tech Abuse Training: https://www.college.police.uk/article/digital-investigative-skills-operation-modify [3] House of Commons Select Committee report: https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm5803/cmselect/cmcumeds/157/report.html [4] New Strategic Framework to end VAWG in Northern Ireland: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/computer-science/sites/computer_science/files/ni_evawg_consultation_-_ucl_qub.docx_wsummary_draft.pdf [5] Appeal judgement transcripts to assess changes in the presence of digital evidence in police investigations: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/digital-evidence-in-appeal-judgement-transcripts/using-appeal-judgement-transcripts-to-assess-changes-in-the-presence-of-digital-evidence-in-police-investigations#:~:text=Information%20gathered%20from%20social%20media,Powell%20%26%20Haynes%2C%202019 |
| First Year Of Impact | 2022 |
| Sector | Communities and Social Services/Policy,Digital/Communication/Information Technologies (including Software),Education,Government, Democracy and Justice |
| Impact Types | Societal Policy & public services |
| Description | "Connected tech: smart or sinister?" House of Commons Committee Report |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Policy Influence Type | Citation in other policy documents |
| Impact | My FLF and the larger work of my Gender and Tech Research team at UCL helped shape the policy debate around the future of connected technology. The Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee have called on the UK Government to prioritise tackling tech abuse, following evidence presented by us, which highlighted how smart, Internet-connected products facilitate intimate partner violence, with most domestic abuse cases having a digital element. In the published "Connected tech: smart or sinister?" House of Commons Committee report, the UK Government is urged to tackle tech abuse by improving the criminal justice response, raising public awareness and convening industry to ensure manufacturers and distributors mitigate risks through product design. Link to oral evidence: https://committees.parliament.uk/oralevidence/10627/pdf/ Link to written evidence: https://committees.parliament.uk/writtenevidence/109388/html/ |
| URL | https://committees.parliament.uk/publications/41099/documents/200210/default/ |
| Description | "Cyber Check ABC" Online Perpetrator Programme |
| Geographic Reach | Local/Municipal/Regional |
| Policy Influence Type | Influenced training of practitioners or researchers |
| Description | "The State of Stalkerware" Citation |
| Geographic Reach | Multiple continents/international |
| Policy Influence Type | Citation in other policy documents |
| Impact | The cybersecurity and anti-virus provider, Kaspersky, released its latest "State of Stalkerware 2022" report. This analysis is published annually (see versions 2021 & 2020). In the past year, Kaspersky saw nearly 30,000 mobile users globally targeted by stalkerware. My UCL Gender and Tech Research Group appeared in this report, highlighting the data's importance in understanding the scope of digital violence and the global market of spyware that researchers, support organisations, and tech vendors must have on the radar. |
| URL | https://securelist.com/the-state-of-stalkerware-in-2022/108985/ |
| Description | Citation in UK Home Office Analysis |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Policy Influence Type | Citation in other policy documents |
| Impact | Improved use of digital evidence in police investigations |
| URL | https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/digital-evidence-in-appeal-judgement-transcripts/using-ap... |
| Description | Domestic homicide review legislation consultation |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Policy Influence Type | Contribution to a national consultation/review |
| URL | https://lawpoliticsandsociology.files.wordpress.com/2023/07/domestic-homicide-review-legislation-con... |
| Description | EU-US Expert Virtual Workshop Towards the establishment of Joint Principles and the Advancement of Research Collaboration on Technology-Facilitated Gender-based Violence (TF-GBV) |
| Geographic Reach | Europe |
| Policy Influence Type | Participation in a guidance/advisory committee |
| Impact | Due to my input to this workshop, I have been invited to a closed-door expert workshop. The EU will host the 6th Ministerial Meeting of the EU-U.S. Trade and Technology Council (TTC) in Belgium in early April (date and venue to be announced). On this occasion, the European Commission (in coordination with the United States Government) will co-host a closed-door expert workshop on 'Opening-up platforms' black boxes' and 'From Data to Solutions against Technology-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence' as part of the ongoing EU-US cooperation under Working Group 5 - Data Governance and Technology Platforms. Given my extensive expertise and leading research in this area, I was invited to participate, alongside officials from the European Commission and the United States Government and other selected experts. |
| Description | Feedback on IETF draft document on digital considerations of intimate partner violence |
| Geographic Reach | Multiple continents/international |
| Policy Influence Type | Contribution to new or improved professional practice |
| URL | https://www.ietf.org/id/draft-irtf-hrpc-ipvc-00.html |
| Description | Impacting National Police Strategy (STRA) |
| Geographic Reach | Local/Municipal/Regional |
| Policy Influence Type | Influenced training of practitioners or researchers |
| Impact | Our efforts to ensure tech abuse had a place within the STRA included our team hosting the incredibly successful VAWG Roundtable in October 2022 for the National Police Chief's Council (NPCC). Throughout the day, experts throughout VAWG research and services emphasised the risks posed by Tech Abuse to the NPCC. It is incredible to see that this hard work has influenced the National Police Strategy across the UK through the STRA publication. Since it's publication, police chiefs across the UK have to follow the STRA so that each service can better equip itself to stop these crimes. |
| URL | https://www.vkpp.org.uk/publications/publications-and-reports/reports/strategic-threat-and-risk-asse... |
| Description | Letters to OFCOM and DSIT |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Policy Influence Type | Contribution to a national consultation/review |
| URL | https://committees.parliament.uk/work/7879/preparedness-for-online-safety-regulation/ |
| Description | MOPAC: London VAWG Prevention Survey |
| Geographic Reach | Local/Municipal/Regional |
| Policy Influence Type | Contribution to a national consultation/review |
| Description | Member of SVRI's Advisory Group for the TFGBV research setting process |
| Geographic Reach | Multiple continents/international |
| Policy Influence Type | Participation in a guidance/advisory committee |
| Impact | SVRI are working with UNFPA, UN Women and organisations like the WHO. Their work on tech abuse will impact funding distribution in this space and the measurement of tech abuse moving forward. |
| URL | https://www.svri.org/ |
| Description | Ofcom "OVAWG" Roundtable |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Policy Influence Type | Participation in a guidance/advisory committee |
| Description | Policy briefing for the Northern Ireland Executive |
| Geographic Reach | Local/Municipal/Regional |
| Policy Influence Type | Implementation circular/rapid advice/letter to e.g. Ministry of Health |
| Impact | The Northern Ireland Executive plans to adopt our proposed definitions outlined in the policy document in future policy outputs. |
| Description | Policy response to the Consultation on a Strategic Framework to End Violence Against Women and Girls (EVAWG) in Northern Ireland |
| Geographic Reach | Local/Municipal/Regional |
| Policy Influence Type | Contribution to a national consultation/review |
| URL | https://www.ucl.ac.uk/computer-science/sites/computer_science/files/ni_evawg_consultation_-_ucl_qub.... |
| Description | Submitted written evidence to the Criminal Justice Bill Consultation |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Policy Influence Type | Contribution to a national consultation/review |
| URL | https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm5804/cmpublic/CriminalJustice/memo/CJB56.htm |
| Description | Submitted written evidence to the Ofcom Illegal Harms Consultation |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Policy Influence Type | Contribution to a national consultation/review |
| URL | https://www.onlinesafetyact.net/uploads/Illegal-Harms-Consultation-Response---UCL-Gender-and-Tech---... |
| Description | Technology and Abuse" Webinar for Respect |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Policy Influence Type | Influenced training of practitioners or researchers |
| Description | UNFPA TFGBV Evaluation Framework |
| Geographic Reach | Multiple continents/international |
| Policy Influence Type | Contribution to new or improved professional practice |
| Title | Reflective Group Practice |
| Description | We implemented monthly Reflective Group Practices into our team, which are supervised sessions that everyone in my research lab attends and that are facilitated by a clinical psychotherapist. The sessions alow to counteract the chances of members being negatively impacted by our research on domestic abuse and should prevent secondary/viccarious trauma. |
| Type Of Material | Improvements to research infrastructure |
| Year Produced | 2023 |
| Provided To Others? | No |
| Impact | Positive impact to my team's mental health and better group dynamics. |
| Description | Advisory Board Member for Chatham House "Gender and Cybersecurity" Research Project |
| Organisation | Chatham House |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Public |
| PI Contribution | I am an Advisory Board Member for the Chatham House "Gender and Cybersecurity" Research Project. |
| Collaborator Contribution | I advise on what relevant stakeholders to engage with, the content and drafting of written outputs and broader analytical directions of the project. |
| Impact | Yes, this is an interdisciplinary project involving global stakeholders from governments, the private sector, and civil society. So far, the outcomes have been restricted to meetings. |
| Start Year | 2023 |
| Description | European Institute for Gender Equality (EIGE) External Experts' Database |
| Organisation | European Institute for Gender Equality |
| Country | Lithuania |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| PI Contribution | I have been approved to be added to the European Institute for Gender Equality (EIGE) External Experts' Database. Selected experts will be called on a case-by-case basis where a particular task(s) relating to one of the areas of EIGE's work. |
| Collaborator Contribution | I guided international developments on cyber violence, tech abuse and technology-facilitated gender-based violence. |
| Impact | n/a |
| Start Year | 2023 |
| Description | London Borough of Redbridge - Spotlight Programme |
| Organisation | Redbridge London Borough Council |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Public |
| PI Contribution | We are working with the London Borough of Redbridge, which runs a Respect-accredited perpetrator programme called "Spotlight" that enables us to access and study tech abuser perpetrators as part of my UKRI Future Leaders Fellowship (FLF). |
| Collaborator Contribution | They provided us access to interviewees and opportunities to hold focus groups and learn more about perpetrator profiles and tech abuse perpetration pathways. |
| Impact | The findings of this work influence the delivery of the perpetrator programme and the questions frontline workers are asking perpetrators in their 1-2-1s, as they now explicitly account for tech abuse. |
| Start Year | 2023 |
| Description | National Crime Agency |
| Organisation | National Crime Agency |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Public |
| PI Contribution | We are working with the National Crime Agency and the MET to organise a roundtable on tech abuse on the 19 of October. The roundtable will inform the development of a VAWG Digital Strategy as well as a STRA. Purpose of the roundtable The roundtable is specifically designed to inform the response to technology-enabled abuse and participants have been invited based on their expertise in research, advocacy and service provision around those experiencing technology based VAWG. This roundtable is being organised by the VAWG taskforce, with the kind support and assistance of UCL, as one of a number of events to inform the development of the VAWG STRA. We will be running other events with other participants (e.g. we have a roundtable with industry being organised with Tech UK in November). What is the STRA? The VAWG Strategic Threat and Risk Assessment (STRA) is an intelligence assessment of the overall threat from VAWG. Its purpose is to inform the national and local response to VAWG offending and to benchmark trends in both the nature of offending as well as the response of police and other partners. This approach is in line with that taken to other long standing national threat areas such as Counter Terrorism and Serious & Organised Crime included in the SPR. As this is the first STRA for VAWG it will be something of a baseline. The aim is for the STRA to be regularly reviewed and updated, probably on an annual basis. Police forces have already been asked to compile problem profiles of VAWG offending in their force areas covering issues such as the profile of victims, offenders, places, education and technology in offending. To help inform this baseline as we feel that it is vital for it to reflect as broad a range of views as possible. We really want to take advantage of the expertise and insight of those attending the workshop in technology enabled abuse and offending. Without an authoritative national picture of the problem it is difficult to articulate the need for dedicated resources and accountability across police forces and partners. The STRA will be published in the spring of 2023 and a version of the STRA will be made publicly available and distributed to partners. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Expertise |
| Impact | VAWG Strategic Threat and Risk Assessment (STRA) |
| Start Year | 2022 |
| Description | Refuge |
| Organisation | Refuge |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| PI Contribution | Refuge is offering us their data on tech abuse plus access to their support service expertise. |
| Collaborator Contribution | - Data - Expertise - Networks |
| Impact | n/a/ |
| Start Year | 2021 |
| Description | "Digitale Gewalt" (Digital Violence) Network Meeting |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | I presented our UCL research at the German "Digitale Gewalt" (Digital Violence) network meeting, which is an informal network of domestic violence and abuse charities and refuges in Germany interested in tackling tech abuse. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| Description | "Pulling the Strings" Podcast |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press) |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Third sector organisations |
| Results and Impact | I was interviewed for this podcast and our UCL research on tech abuse has been featured in the new "Pulling the Strings: Conversations About Coercive Control" podcast by the UKRI Violence, Abuse and Mental Health Network (VAMHN). See Episode #2. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| URL | https://open.spotify.com/show/5BAtMJazQFFLPnKU2Ruuod |
| Description | Attended Respect's Accredited Members Forum |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Third sector organisations |
| Results and Impact | Attended Respect's Accredited Members Forum - a monthly discussion forum for Respect-accredited domestic abuse support services - and presented our planned research on perpetration of technology-facilitated abuse. I also informed them on our progress to date and invited them to contact us if they are interested in participating or would like to enquire further. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| Description | BBC One's Crimewatch Live (Episode 7, Series 18) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press) |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | I was interviewed and featured our research on BBC One's Crimewatch Live (Episode 7, Series 18) this Tuesday, 10 October 2023; |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m001rbj5 |
| Description | Binding Hook Blog Post |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | In this blog post, Dr Andi Brown (Monash University) summarises the main points of a peer-reviewed article published in Violence Against Women and co-authored with Dr Diarmaid Harkin (Deakin University) and myself. This write-up gives a useful overview of the need for a greater focus on "safety by design". |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| URL | https://bindinghook.com/articles-binding-edge/safety-by-design-could-prevent-domestic-abuse-through-... |
| Description | Blog post on VISION website |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | I published a blog post on the Violence, Health and Society (VISION) website entitled "Tech-facilitated abuse and the 'new normal'". |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://vision.city.ac.uk/news/tech-facilitated-abuse-and-the-new-normal/ |
| Description | Citation in Islington Tribune |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | I was cited in the Islington Tribune to discuss when everyday tech is weaponised against women. In the news item, I call for greater awareness of the technologies we all rely on daily. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://www.islingtontribune.co.uk/article/when-our-everyday-tech-is-weaponised-against-women |
| Description | Criminology Presentation at Monash University |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
| Results and Impact | We presented our research at the Criminology Department at Monash University during our research visit in Australia. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| Description | DSIT-hosted roundtable on the future of UK Science |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | I presented at a Department for Science, Innovation and Technology-hosted roundtable on the future of UK Science, which involved Government Chief Scientific Adviser Professor Dame Angela McLean and DSIT Director General for Science, Innovation and Growth Alexandra Jones. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| Description | Discussant at Monash Emerging Technologies Research Lab (ETLab) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
| Results and Impact | During our Australia research visit, I acted as a discussant at the Monash Emerging Technologies Research Lab (ETLab) monthly talk on women's safety on the Metaverse. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://events.humanitix.com/don-t-tell-us-to-leave-will-women-ever-be-safe-on-metaverse |
| Description | Engagement in IEEE Standard Development |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | I am a voting member of the IEEE Social Implications of Technology Standards Committee's "Recommended Practice for Principles for Design and Operation Addressing Technology-Facilitated Inter-personal Control" (P2987), which aims to design a technical standard against tech abuse. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://standards.ieee.org/ieee/2987/10620/ |
| Description | Gender and Tech Monthly Newsletter |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Since 2018, I run a monthly newsletter on the topic of tech abuse which as of March 2024 has more than 1100 international subscribers. I use the newsletter as a tool to keep interested audiences up-to-date with our research progress, any latest developments in the space of technology-facilitated abuse and the Internet of Things, as well as training and support opportunities. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018,2019,2020,2021,2022,2023,2024 |
| URL | https://us15.campaign-archive.com/home/?u=5fc63c9cf03878c3ab01efd9c&id=2fd178402e |
| Description | Global Symposium on Technology-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence (TFGBV) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | I got invited and presented at the United Nations Population Fund's (UNFPA) second Global Symposium on Technology-facilitated Gender-Based Violence (TFGBV), co-convened by the Australian eSafety Commissioner, which was an online 3-day event that attracted over 1000 international attendees. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| URL | https://twitter.com/hashtag/TFGBVSymposium24?src=hashtag_click |
| Description | Home Office's Interpersonal Abuse Unit |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | We are actively working with the Home Office's Interpersonal Abuse Unit and provide them with regular input, including on funding/research streams for the Tackling the Economic Impacts of Domestic Abuse (TEIDA) Fund the unit is overlooking. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/autumn-statement-2023/autumn-statement-2023-html |
| Description | Interview and Quote in Forbes |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | I was interviewed and have featured quotes on my contribution to the Culture, Media and Sport Committee Report "Connected Tech: Smart of Sinister" (https://committees.parliament.uk/committee/378/culture-media-and-sport-committee/news/198637/connected-tech-smart-or-sinister-cms-committee-publishes-government-response-to-report/) in Forbes. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://www.forbes.com/sites/emmawoollacott/2023/08/07/uk-warns-of-stalking-risks-from-connected-dev... |
| Description | Interview and Quote in Sky News |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | I was interviewed and have featured quotes on my contribution to the Culture, Media and Sport Committee Report "Connected Tech: Smart of Sinister" (https://committees.parliament.uk/committee/378/culture-media-and-sport-committee/news/198637/connected-tech-smart-or-sinister-cms-committee-publishes-government-response-to-report/) in Sky News. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://news.sky.com/story/chilling-surge-in-use-of-smart-speakers-and-baby-monitors-to-carry-out-do... |
| Description | Interview for BBC News Article |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | I was interviewed and our research cited in a BBC News article entitled "Controversial clothes hook spy cameras for sale on Amazon". |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-67652317 |
| Description | MAEVe Presentation at the University of Melbourne |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Other audiences |
| Results and Impact | We presented our research at the Melbourne Research Alliance to End Violence against Women and their Children. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eqSh1v9T4RM |
| Description | Oxford Internet Institute's (OII) "Care, Autonomy & Technology" event |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | I presented and participated in the Oxford Internet Institute's (OII) "Care, Autonomy & Technology" event. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| Description | Participated in Technology-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence Community of Practice kick-off event |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | The event was organised by the Sexual Violence Research Initiative (SVRI) and brought together practitioners, researchers, and tech companies working on TFGBV and aimed at helping practitioners align around shared terminology, methodologies, and practices. Two members of our research team contributed to the discussions as experts regarding terminology and methodology issues. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| Description | Participated in a stakeholder engagement event about smart home tech abuse |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Participated in a smart home tech abuse workshop and stakeholder engagement event organised by Newcastle University. Contributed as an expert to breakout sessions discussing the risks of smart home tech abuse and how we can develop effective responses. The break-out discussions raised many important and productive issues and suggestions that the University's AGENCY project will take on board to guide societally informed technology-oriented solutions to help mitigate smart home harms. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| Description | Participated in the 2023 VISION Consortium Annual Conference "Responding to Violence Across the Life Course" |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | I participated in the 2023 VISION Consortium Annual Conference, "Responding to Violence Across the Life Course"; |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://vision.city.ac.uk/vision-annual-conference/ |
| Description | Participated in the Global Symposium on Technology-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Three members of our team participated in the Global Symposium on Technology-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence (TFGBV), organised by UNFPA and the eSafety Commissioner. The project's PI gave an oral presentation on technology-facilitated abuse, while all three members participated in breakout rooms where they discussed with other presenters and attendees issues around TFGBV. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| Description | Presentation at European Conferences of Domestic Violence (ECDV) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | I presented the findings of our Delphi study at the European Conferences of Domestic Violence (ECDV). My research group had several abstracts on tech abuse accepted at the conference, and I coordinated more than 5 panels on the topic at the event. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://ecdv.hi.is/ |
| Description | Presentation at IBM's Tech for Justice Seminar series. |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | I delivered a presentation as part of IBM's "Tech for Racial and Social Justice" speaker series during which I shared outcomes of our research on tech abuse and proposed activities and measures IBM could implement to tackle the problem. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| Description | Presentation at Oxford Internet Institute |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
| Results and Impact | I presented our research on the "boundary questions" that tech abuse creates and provided an overview of the current research landscape at an Oxford Internet Institute (OII) Seminar in May 2023. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://www.oii.ox.ac.uk/news-events/events/technology-facilitated-abuse-tech-abuse-in-the-context-o... |
| Description | Presentation at the "IoT Coercive Control and Domestic Abuse Online Conference" |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Supporters |
| Results and Impact | I delivered a presentation at the "IoT Coercive Control and Domestic Abuse Online Conference"; |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://aspidacmg.wixsite.com/iot-conference |
| Description | Presentation at the German Federal Office for Information Security (BSI) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | I delivered a presentation on our tech abuse research and suggested potential avenues the German Federal Office for Information Security (BSI) Digital Consumer Protection Group could take to tackle tech abuse nationally. The presentation resulted in the establishment of a dedicated working group on the topic that I am now also part of. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| Description | Presentation at the Network Against Gendered Violence at Deakin University |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Other audiences |
| Results and Impact | We presented our research at the Deakin Network Against Gendered Violence at Deakin University. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://www.deakin.edu.au/research/research-institutes-and-centres/collaborative-research-groups/dea... |
| Description | Presented at the MyCWA Engage Ambassadors meeting |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Presented at a meeting of professionals across Cheshire who are wanting to engage more with working with those who harm, on issues around technology-facilitated abuse. The meeting was organised by Cheshire-based domestic abuse charity MyCWA. The presentation was followed by Q&A and attendees reported that it was a valuable and informative session for them. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| Description | Privacy International's Technology Pill Podcast |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press) |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | I was interviewed for the digital rights charity Privacy International's Technology Pill Podcast which ran a dedicated episode on "tech assisted abuse". |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://privacyinternational.org/video/5103/tech-assisted-abuse-how-smart-devices-can-facilitate-abu... |
| Description | REPHRAIN Privacy Clinic Event |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Other audiences |
| Results and Impact | I participated in the National Research Centre on Privacy, Harm Reduction and Adversarial Influence Online (REPHRAIN) Privacy Clinic Event, which aimed to establish best practice considerations for the installation of privacy clinics for tech abuse victims and survivors in the UK. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| Description | StratHack Participation |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | We were contacted and met with the technology solution provider Eviden, who are working with the Met Police to deliver a StratHack on Online and Tech-Enabled VAWG in March. We attended the event and provided input and expert advice. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| Description | Tech Abuse Workshop at the University of Melbourne |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Other audiences |
| Results and Impact | As part of my UKRI FLF, my team and I held a Tech Abuse Workshop (16 November 2023) at the University of Melbourne, which was part of a month-long research visit to Australia, a central hub for tech abuse research. During the workshop, findings of our Delphi study were discussed, and avenues for international collaboration and best practices around tech abuse were explored. A video recording that summarises the outcome of our research visit to Australia and includes footage of the workshop and interviews with policy stakeholders and frontline support organisation representatives is hosted on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dvuPK-87P78&ab_channel=UCLComputerScience |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dvuPK-87P78&ab_channel=UCLComputerScience |
| Description | US-UK Knowledge Exchange Visit |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | My team spoke on the risks for women and girls derived from the Internet of Things (IoT) at a US-UK meeting day hosted by the UK Home Office and the Domestic Abuse Commissioner's Office as part of a two-day knowledge exchange visit with colleagues visiting from the US National Domestic Violence Hotline, the White House Gender Policy Council, NoMore, etc. Our Policy Advisor Jen Reed did a fantastic job providing a fifteen-minute presentation of our UCL Gender and Tech research, trends on tech abuse and what we might expect to see in future, as well as potential policy levers for change. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| Description | United Nations Statistical Commission "Technology-Facilitated Violence Against Women: Towards Common Methodologies for Measurement" |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | My research group and I attended the online side event in the lead-up to the next United Nations Statistical Commission (UNSC) entitled "Technology-Facilitated Violence Against Women: Towards Common Methodologies for Measurement", organised by UN Women in partnership with UNFPA, WHO and the Global Partnership for Action on Gender-based Online Harassment and Abuse; |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |