Reflections on the survivors’ journey: Bridging the gaps
To mark the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, techUK’s Justice and Emergency Services Programme hosted a panel with experts from various sectors who shared their thoughts on the issue and some examples of the fantastic work they are doing when it comes to prevention and victim support.
Watch the following video to hear from:
Professor Olga Jurasz, Director of the Centre for Protecting Women Online
Emma Pickering, Head of Technology-Facilitated Abuse and Economic Empowerment - Refuge
Vanessa Rolfe – Former Strategic Lead for VAWG and Op Soteria
Anthea Sully, Chief Executive- White Ribbon UK
Giles Herdale – National Police Chiefs’ Council VAWG Taskforce
Cinzia Miatto, Programme Manager for Justice and Emergency Services – techUK
Overview of the problem
Violence against women and girls (VAWG) is a serious issue caused by gender inequality and norms on the acceptability of violence against women, power control and misogyny. These issues are not new, but they continue to affect millions of women and girls worldwide, causing both physical and emotional harm. According to the National Policing Statement 2024 for VAWG, at least 1 in every 12 women will be a victim of VAWG per tear (2 million) and we expect the exact number to be higher.
The rise of online spaces has introduced a new set of challenges, enabling individuals to act anonymously in ways that can be both harmful and difficult to hold accountable. Online anonymity can facilitate the spread of discrimination and stereotypes, creating an environment where abuse becomes more prevalent.
Young people in particular, can be exposed to unchecked content that spreads and normalises harmful attitudes from an early age. With a variety of available monitoring software solutions, we are seeing the normalisation of monitoring and tracking starting early, often with parents keeping tabs on their children's locations and conversations. This can lead to a "normalised view of control" that could carry over into adult relationships.
On the other side, law enforcement is also facing challenges when it comes to dealing with demand, resourcing, funding. The National Policing Statement 2024 for VAWG states that “the scale of VAWG has direct impact on policing with an estimated 2,959 VAWG-related crimes recorded daily”.
All the criminal justice system from the minute that a victim survivor makes a phone call right through to the end process - it’s taking years. How do you keep a victim onboard, keep them supported, safeguarded, while they have to wait perhaps up to 3 years for a trial for them to get justice?
Vanessa Rolfe
Former Strategic Lead for VAWG and Op Soteria
Additionally, when consequences for perpetrators are not clearly visible, survivors may feel isolated and unsupported, which can make it more difficult for them to seek out the resources and assistance they need to heal.
Another concern is that VAWG support services are underfunded, leaving victims without the resources they need to feel heard, supported, or safe.
We are facing a crisis in the VAWG sector where we are underfunded. My team is not funded at all, we need to put together bids and applications to exist.
Emma Pickering
Refuge
All these problems, keeps the cycle of abuse going, making it clear how important it is to take real action on VAWG and make sure victims get the help and support they need.
Taking meaningful steps
Although the current picture in relation to VAWG shows that there is still much work to be done, it's important to acknowledge the positive efforts underway to address this issue, especially in the areas of prevention and victim support. techUK has a dedicated VAWG and RASSO tech working group, made up of tech industry, police, academics and third sector organisations who are working together to tackle VAWG and RASSO and also raise awareness.
There are significant initiatives in place to support efforts to prevent VAWG and RASSO, for instance, improving broader engagement through the Employers’ Initiative on Domestic abuse and HeForShe.
In addition to these, tech is playing a vital role supporting not only victims (with evidence collection for example), but also in improving law enforcement’s ability to respond to VAWG. For example, software that helps track patterns of abusive behaviour across different platforms can assist police in identifying repeat offenders and ensuring that justice is served more efficiently. These technological advancements are helping build a stronger, more proactive approach to tackling violence against women and girls.
Furthermore, prevention and education are crucial in driving long-term change. It’s not just about telling people what not to do, but also adopting a better understanding of women’s experiences and encouraging self-reflection, particularly among men.
White Ribbon is doing a fantastic job in providing training and support in this area. By highlighting positive role models and celebrating those who make a difference, we can shift the narrative toward more supportive behaviours. It's important to recognise when men are actively working to make a positive impact, as this can inspire others to follow suit and contribute to building a safer, more respectful society for everyone.
While technology alone cannot solve all the challenges in this space, when used thoughtfully and strategically, it can play a valuable role in supporting victims and assisting law enforcement. This approach focuses on leveraging ‘tech for good’ while fostering collaboration and trust between the public sector and industry – a key theme we want to emphasise in this video.
Recommendations
Promote cross-sector collaborations across government, nonprofits, academics, law enforcement and the tech industry to ensure coordinated responses and long-term solutions to violence against women and girls. Neutral bodies like techUK can support open and transparent cross-sector collaborations, exploring the ‘art of possible’.
We can’t wait any longer for women’s safety to be addressed. Addressing women’s online safety is not a ‘woman dream’. We have other dreams than just online safety, but it is an obligation on states to take it seriously and actioning on it, starting from prevention and providing adequate funds.
Olga Jurasz
Centre for Protecting Women Online
Organisations like White Ribbon UK are doing a fantastic job with their prevention and education programmes. However, there is still more to be done. Encouraging men and boys to be allies through reflection, learning from positive role models and understanding healthy behaviours can make a big difference. It’s also important to create safe spaces for open conversations about preventing violence and promoting equality.
Let’s make this as an everyday conversation
Anthea Sully
White Ribbon UK
We are pleased to see that VAWG is a key priority in the Labour Party’s manifesto, offering an opportunity to address the issue from a broader perspective. One critical area that needs attention is funding, which plays a vital role in ensuring consistent, high-quality support and prevention efforts. A positive step toward achieving this would be to provide multi-year funding commitments, alongside increased financial support for both law enforcement and third-sector organisations.
Continue to address VAWG as a top priority by ensuring that policies across sectors and regions are unified and coordinated, and that victims are supported, believed and protected.
Justice and Emergency Services Programme activities
The techUK Justice and Emergency Services Programme represents tech firms operating in the public safety, criminal justice, and blue light markets. We create strong relationships between members and public sector customers, encouraging industry engagement, and unlocking innovation. Visit the programme page here.
Our members develop strong networks, build meaningful partnerships and grow their businesses as we all work together to create a thriving environment where industry, government and stakeholders come together to realise the positive outcomes tech can deliver.
Georgie joined techUK as the Justice and Emergency Services (JES) Programme Manager in March 2020, progressing to Head of Programme in January 2022.
In her current role, Georgie leads techUK’s engagement and initiatives across the blue light and criminal justice sectors. She works closely with industry and stakeholders to drive innovation, address challenges, and anticipate future needs, while showcasing the critical role technology plays in delivering essential public safety and justice services. Through the JES programme, she provides a platform for suppliers, helping them navigate and establish themselves in the blue light and criminal justice markets.
Before joining techUK, Georgie spent four and a half years managing a Business Crime Reduction Partnership (BCRP) in Westminster. Collaborating with the Metropolitan Police and local councils, she focused on mitigating the impact of crime on the business community. Her efforts spanned addressing low-level street crime and anti-social behavior to managing critical incidents and violent crime.
Cinzia joined techUK in August 2023 as the Justice and Emergency Services (JES) Programme Manager.
The JES programme represents suppliers, championing their interests in the blue light and criminal justice markets, whether they are established entities or newcomers seeking to establish their presence.
Prior to joining techUK, Cinzia worked in the third and public sectors, managing projects related to international trade and social inclusion.
Ella joined techUK in November 2023 as a Markets Team Assistant, supporting the Justice and Emergency Services, Central Government and Financial Services Programmes.
Before joining the team, she was working at the Magistrates' Courts in legal administration and graduated from the University of Liverpool in 2022. Ella attained an undergraduate degree in History and Politics, and a master's degree in International Relations and Security Studies, with a particular interest in studying asylum rights and gendered violence.
In her spare time she enjoys going to the gym, watching true crime documentaries, travelling, and making her best attempts to become a better cook.
