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Leveraging Technology to Combat Gender-Based Violence
Every March we celebrate Women’s History Month by recognising the contributions and achievements of women across all areas of society. It is a time to highlight social, economic, cultural and political successes while also reflecting on the ongoing efforts needed to achieve gender equality and ensure women’s safety.
Violence against women and girls (VAWG) and incidents of rape and serious sexual offence (RASSO) remain an issue that has a significant impact on women. According to the National Audit Office’s 2025 report, 1 in 12 women are victims of VAWG each year, though the number is expected to be significantly higher than that. Additionally, online abuse is on the rise, disproportionately targeting women.
This month we are excited to highlight and showcase the valuable content available on techUK’s Tackling VAWG and RASSO Hub, which addresses these critical issues through the Justice and Emergency Services Programme. We were delighted to see VAWG as a part of Labour’s Safer Streets Mission and recognise that much more needs to be done to protect women and girls. With this in mind, we aim to continue to update the Hub with insights, case studies and important developments in this space.
VAWG and RASSO Tech Hub
The Hub was created to offer a platform for sharing best practice, case studies, and success stories highlighting the role of technology in addressing VAWG and RASSO. It provides an opportunity for the tech sector, third sector organisations, academia and law enforcement to share insights and access a repository of the latest updates on the use of technology in tackling these issues, as well as the progress made in this area.
We recognise there is still much to be done, but it is important to showcase the progress made across policing through the use of data and technology to support victims, pursue perpetrators and enhance investigations. Key initiatives, such as the Digital Evidence Project and the Digital Forensic Programme, demonstrate these advancements. Additionally, Operation Soteria has driven all 43 police forces across England and Wales to adopt a National Operating Model for tackling rape and serious sexual offences.
As we work to tackle VAWG and RASSO, it is important to remember that while technology alone cannot solve all the challenges in this space, it plays an important role in supporting victims – such as through evidence collection – and supports law enforcement response. techUKs’ VAWG and RASSO working group helps to drive meaningful conversations and proactively engage with crucial stakeholders to ensure that technology is being utilised to its full potential in ensuring public safety.
The collaborative efforts between the working group members, that include tech industry, academia, third sector and policing representatives, are vital for addressing the multifaceted challenges of VAWG. The group recognises that adopting a victim-centric approach and fostering collaboration across multiple agencies to create a cohesive support framework is essential. Addressing the issue of repeated trauma and fragmented support is key, as these factors often make it difficult for victims to navigate the system. When used effectively, technology can help mitigate these challenges, providing victims with clearer insights into their cases, improving communication with the police and promoting transparency and accountability.
There is still much more to be done to prevent and tackle VAWG and RASSO, and improving collaboration with public sector and the tech industry is essential to achieve that. If you would like to know more about the positive and impactful work of our working group, reach out to the JES team, or visit the Hub for relevant updates.
techUK’s TechTogether campaign, taking place throughout March, is a collection of activities highlighting the UK’s technology sector pursuit to shape a more equitable future. In 2025 we are exploring: Inclusive AI, investing in diverse founders and entrepreneurs, the power of allyship and mentorship, and empowering young people.
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Authors
Cinzia Miatto
Cinzia joined techUK in August 2023 as the Justice and Emergency Services (JES) Programme Manager.
Ella Gago-Brookes
Ella joined techUK in November 2023 as a Markets Team Assistant, supporting the Justice and Emergency Services, Central Government and Financial Services Programmes, before progressing into Junior Programme Manager in January 2024.