Reducing VAWG Strategies Must Not Ignore Technical Surveillance
Protecting Victims of Stalking, Harassment, and Domestic Abuse from Technical Surveillance
Understanding the Threat of Technical Surveillance in Relation to VAWG
Reducing violence against women and girls (VAWG) is a priority for UK police forces. A critical but often overlooked element is the role of technical surveillance in cases of stalking, harassment, and domestic abuse. While officers and investigators are well-versed in physical threats and coercive control, digital and technical abuse pose an insidious risk that demands urgent attention.
The National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) has recognised VAWG as an “epidemic” and has called for a stronger response (NPCC, 2023). Additionally, the UK government is investing £13 million in a new police centre to tackle VAWG (UK Government, 2024). However, ensuring victims’ safety must extend beyond physical protection to include safeguarding against digital and technical surveillance.
How Perpetrators Use Technology to Maintain Control
Stalkers, abusive partners, and coercive individuals frequently exploit technology to continue exerting control over their victims. These methods include:
- Bugging devices hidden in victims’ homes or vehicles (Verrimus).
- GPS tracking via mobile phones, car trackers, or even AirTags and similar devices (Verrimus).
- Hacked devices, such as smartphones, laptops, smart home technology, or baby monitors.
- Remote access to victims’ online accounts, emails, social media, or cloud storage.
- Spyware apps that allow perpetrators to track movements, monitor messages, and even activate a victim’s phone microphone or camera without their knowledge.
Why This Matters for Police Officers and Investigators
Domestic abuse is not just about physical harm; it is about power, control, and coercion. When an abuser has access to a victim’s digital life, they can undermine their ability to seek help, monitor their movements, and manipulate their reality. This can make victims reluctant to report abuse, as they fear their every move is being watched.
Many police forces are already making significant progress in tackling digital and technical abuse. However, there remains a gap in expertise when it comes to identifying and mitigating high-level surveillance threats.
How Police Forces Can Improve Investigations
1. Training Officers to Identify Technical Surveillance
- Officers responding to domestic abuse, stalking, or harassment cases should be trained to recognise the signs of technical surveillance.
- Victims should be asked about unusual battery drain on devices, unfamiliar apps, unknown Bluetooth connections, or strange noises during calls.
- Physical searches should include vehicles, homes, and personal belongings for trackers or hidden recording devices (Verrimus).
2. Encouraging Victims to Seek Technical Sweeps
- Victims should be advised to have their devices professionally examined for spyware and their surroundings checked for hidden bugs or trackers.
- Digital hygiene should be a key part of safeguarding measures, including resetting devices, changing passwords, and reviewing app permissions.
3. Partnering with Technical Counter-Surveillance Experts
- Police forces can collaborate with experts like Verrimus, who specialise in Technical Surveillance Counter-Measures (TSCM), to ensure victims are free from digital monitoring (Verrimus).
- Specialised teams can be trained to conduct thorough technical inspections, removing the risk of surveillance from abusers.
- There are free or very inexpensive solutions that can alert an individual to the presence of some technical surveillance attacks.
Taking Action
The UK’s police forces are making significant strides in protecting victims of VAWG, but without addressing the role of technical surveillance, victims remain at risk. Officers, investigators, and police training departments must take immediate steps to enhance their knowledge and capabilities in identifying and neutralising these threats.
We urge police forces to contact Verrimus to discuss awareness training, investigative techniques, and practical steps to protect victims from covert surveillance. By integrating technical counter-surveillance into domestic abuse investigations, law enforcement can better protect victims, disrupt abusers’ control, and ultimately save lives.
For more information, contact Verrimus and ensure your force is equipped to tackle the full spectrum of abuse.
