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Shining a Light on How Surveillance Tech Supports Victims of Abuse

Updated: 2 days ago

Technology is often discussed in the context of risk.


And that risk is real.


Phones, apps, cameras, accounts, vehicles, smart devices and tracking tools can all be misused to monitor, intimidate or control another person.


But technology can also support safety.


When used carefully, and as part of a wider safety plan, practical safety technology can help victim-survivors document abuse, connect with trusted people, access support and feel safer in their own environment.

Technology as part of a safety plan


Safety technology is not a complete solution.


It does not replace specialist domestic and family violence support, legal advice, police assistance or a personalised safety plan.


But it can be one practical layer of support.


Depending on the situation, this may include:

  • home security cameras

  • doorbell cameras

  • sensor lights

  • personal safety alarms

  • emergency SOS features on phones or watches

  • secure ways to store evidence

  • safer communication tools

  • online support services

  • technology safety checks

  • assistance identifying tracking apps, spyware or unknown devices


The goal is not surveillance for its own sake.

The goal is safety, evidence, connection and choice.


Documenting patterns of behaviour


For many victim-survivors, abuse is not one isolated incident.


It is a pattern.


Technology may help document that pattern where it is safe to do so.


This could include keeping records of:

  • threatening messages

  • repeated unwanted contact

  • damage to property

  • attempts to attend the home or workplace

  • breaches of protection orders

  • online harassment

  • evidence of tracking or monitoring

  • incidents captured by home security cameras


This information may assist when speaking with a domestic and family violence service, lawyer, police or court support service.


However, evidence should only be collected and stored in a way that does not increase risk.


If a perpetrator has access to a phone, account, cloud storage, shared device, Wi-Fi network or password, storing evidence on that device may not be safe.


Supporting personal safety


Technology may also help victim-survivors feel more connected and less isolated.


For example, some tools can help a person:

  • contact trusted people quickly

  • access emergency services

  • share their location with someone they choose and trust

  • receive alerts from home security devices

  • check who is at the door before opening it

  • access online counselling or support

  • find information about legal and safety options


These tools can provide reassurance, particularly when someone is leaving violence, living alone, attending court, managing changeover arrangements, or trying to rebuild independence.


Technology safety matters


Because technology can be misused, safety planning is essential.


Before installing a camera, downloading an app, changing passwords, collecting evidence or turning off location sharing, it may be important to speak with a specialist domestic and family violence service.


In some situations, sudden changes can alert the person using abusive behaviour and increase risk.

Where possible, it may be safer to seek support using a device the abusive person has never accessed, such as a trusted friend’s phone, a work device, or a computer at a support service.


Access and affordability


Not everyone can afford home security systems, personal safety devices, dash cameras, phone checks or specialist technology support.


This is one of the gaps The Lighthouse Hub wants to help address.


Practical safety tools should not only be available to people who can afford them.


Victim-survivors deserve access to support that helps them feel safer, more connected and more in control.


Final message


Technology cannot end domestic and family violence on its own.

But when used safely, it can be part of the pathway back to safety.

It can help document what is happening.It can help connect someone with support.It can help create safer spaces.It can help restore choice.

Technology should never be used to control someone.

It should be used to help people feel safer, supported and free.

 
 

Why the Lighthouse Hub Exists - The Founder's Story

 

The Lighthouse Hub was founded from lived experience of domestic and family violence, stalking and technology-facilitated abuse.

​

There was a period in my life when safety no longer felt simple. I began receiving strange messages and account alerts. Some messages suggested my location was known. My online accounts were being targeted. I found myself checking my phone, my car, my home and my surroundings, trying to understand how someone could know where I had been.

​

It is difficult to explain what that does to your sense of safety.

​

You stop moving through the world normally. You start scanning, questioning and checking everything. You wonder whether your phone is safe. Whether your car is safe. Whether your home is safe. Whether your children are safe.

​

My daughter felt that fear too.

​

As a parent, that was one of the hardest parts. It is one thing to feel afraid yourself. It is another thing entirely to see your child feel unsafe and to feel helpless in trying to protect them.

​

Eventually, a tracking device was located in my vehicle.

​

That experience made something very clear to me: technology-facilitated abuse does not just create fear. It creates an evidence problem, a safety problem and a funding problem.

​

I was able to install cameras around my home, and that made a real difference. They helped restore some sense of safety. They helped me feel like I had a way to see what was happening around me and take practical steps to protect my family.

But I could not afford everything that was needed. Dash cameras, vehicle checks, device checks and other safety technologies can be expensive. At the very time I needed practical safety tools, cost became another barrier.

​

My support worker tried to find funding for dash cameras. But because it could not be proved who was responsible, I did not meet the requirements for victim support funding. Even then, I was told there could be a wait of up to 12 months.

That does not help when safety is needed now.

​

This is the gap The Lighthouse Hub was created to help fill.

​

Victim-survivors are often expected to provide evidence of stalking, surveillance or technology-facilitated abuse before meaningful action can be taken. But the tools that may help detect, document or respond to that behaviour are often expensive and difficult to access.

​

The Lighthouse Hub works with established frontline organisations to help fund practical safety technologies for the people they support. This may include home security cameras, dash cameras, vehicle checks and device checks.

We are not a crisis service. We do not provide counselling, legal advice or case management. Our role is to support the organisations already working directly with victim-survivors by helping make safety technology more accessible when cost would otherwise stand in the way.

​

The Lighthouse Hub exists because safety should not depend on whether someone can afford the tools that may help protect them.

​

It exists because a 12-month wait does not help someone who feels unsafe today.

​

And it exists to help light the way when safety feels out of reach.

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