GDASS Newsletter October 2025
A monthly update of news, training and opportunities from GDASS.
Spotlight: Cyber Security Awareness Month: Technology-Facilitated Abuse
October is Cyber Security Awareness Month, a reminder that digital safety is not only about data protection but also about safeguarding people. Increasingly, perpetrators of domestic abuse misuse everyday technology to extend coercive control.
What is Technology-Facilitated Abuse (TFA)?
- Phones & laptops: spyware, tracking apps, remote access
- Social media: impersonation, online harassment, monitoring
- Location tools: misusing “Find My Device,” AirTags, or GPS
- Smart homes: manipulating heating, lights, or locks
- Shared accounts & cloud storage: accessing private information, finances, or images
Why it Matters for Professionals
- Hidden risk: Clients may not identify this behaviour as abuse
- Compromised devices: Confidentiality can be undermined if phones are monitored
- Safety planning: Needs to include digital strategies as well as physical ones
- Evidence: Patterns of digital abuse can demonstrate coercive control
- Multi-agency awareness: All services need to recognise the digital dimension of risk
Key Resource: Refuge Tech Safety
Refuge Tech Safety is a leading resource for both survivors and practitioners. It provides:
- Secure Your Tech guides – step-by-step safety checks for phones, apps, and social media
- Digital Break-Up Tool – a practical way to review devices and accounts after leaving a relationship
- Advice on tech & economic abuse – highlighting how financial control can be embedded in digital platforms
We encourage professionals to share this resource with clients and to integrate it into safety planning.
Quick Professional Tips
- Ask about tech when exploring abuse
- Use safe channels for sensitive communication
- Support a digital audit of accounts, apps, and permissions
- Consider tech safety in risk assessments
- Signpost to Refuge Tech Safety and GDASS for further support
If you suspect a client is experiencing technology-facilitated abuse, contact GDASS for tailored advice and safety planning.
Sector News
Tech-Facilitated Abuse: Protecting Women and Girls Online
In a recent article by Emma Pickering, head of Refuge’s Tech-Facilitated Abuse and Economic Empowerment team, the growing concern of technology-facilitated abuse is highlighted. The piece discusses how perpetrators are increasingly using digital tools to exert control and inflict harm on women and girls, emphasising the need for stronger regulatory measures and a more coordinated approach to protect survivors. You can read the full article here: How abusers use tech to perpetrate violence against women and girls.
Probation Service Failing to Assess Offenders Posing Risks
A report by HM Chief Inspector of Probation revealed that around two-thirds of offenders supervised in the community are not being properly assessed, particularly those who pose a serious threat to women and girls. The findings highlight significant gaps in risk assessment and coordination, potentially putting victims at greater risk. Read more here.
Abuse Escalates in Pregnancy: 24-Week Parent Speaks Out
A woman revealed that emotional abuse from her boyfriend escalated into physical violence when she was 24 weeks pregnant. The account highlights the reality that pregnancy can be a particularly vulnerable time for intimate partner violence, with serious risks for both mother and baby. The case raises pressing issues around early detection, access to support services, and safeguarding within prenatal and maternity care. Read the full story here.
Lack of Government Momentum to Tackle Domestic Abuse Is Failing Child Victims
The Domestic Abuse Commissioner has warned that government delays and a lack of funding are leaving child victims of domestic abuse without vital support. Of 66 recommendations made, only 10 have been accepted, with many dismissed or stalled. The Commissioner highlights long waiting lists, under-resourced services, and the absence of a clear Violence Against Women and Girls strategy, stressing that without urgent action and investment, the government’s goal of halving violence against women and girls within a decade is unachievable. Read more from the Domestic Abuse Commissioner.
Research and Resources
You Are Not Alone: Gay Men, Abuse and the Way Through
In this insightful 50-minute podcast, comedian and radio presenter James Barr shares his personal experience with intimate partner violence, shedding light on the often-overlooked issue among gay and bisexual men. Hosted by Dr. Steven Maxwell and Dr. Edgar Rodriguez Dorans, the discussion delves into the stigma, shame, and invisibility surrounding male victims of abuse. The conversation emphasises the importance of recognising coercive control and the need for inclusive support services. Listen to the full episode on Spotify and explore the accompanying research on the University of Glasgow website.
Amplifying Black Women’s Voices on Domestic Abuse
Sistah Space’s landmark 2025 study, gathering the voices of over 2,200 Black women of African and Caribbean heritage, shows that more than half have personally experienced domestic abuse, and most endure repeated incidents. Nearly 97% said they lack confidence that reporting abuse to services like the police or social care would bring fair treatment. The findings demand culturally aware, trauma-informed services rooted in trust. Read the full research here.