When Home Isn’t Safe: How Technology Is Being Used to Facilitate Domestic Abuse

October marks Domestic Abuse Awareness Month, a time to reflect on the evolving nature of abuse and the increasing role technology plays in enabling perpetrators. As specialist family lawyers with extensive experience in cases involving divorce, separation, finances, and children, we’ve seen first-hand how domestic abuse is changing and how we, as legal professionals, must adapt to protect and support survivors.

The Rise of Tech-Facilitated Abuse

Domestic abuse is no longer confined to physical spaces. Technology has become a powerful tool in the hands of abusers, allowing them to monitor, control, and intimidate their victims remotely. Common examples include:

• Spyware and stalkerware installed on phones or laptops to track communications and movements.
• Smart home devices manipulated to harass or surveil victims, such as lights flickering, thermostats changing, or cameras being accessed without consent.
• Social media and messaging apps used to impersonate, threaten, or isolate victims.
• GPS tracking via shared apps or hidden devices.

These tactics can be subtle, making victims feel paranoid or helpless, and often go unnoticed by friends, family, or even professionals.

AI and Financial Abuse in Divorce Proceedings

One of the most concerning developments is the use of AI and digital tools to commit financial abuse. Perpetrators may use technology to:

• Hide assets through cryptocurrency, online banking, or shell companies.
• Manipulate financial records using AI-generated documents or deepfake tools.
• Evade financial disclosure by using bots or anonymised accounts.

This poses serious challenges in divorce and financial remedy proceedings, where full and frank disclosure is essential. Victims may be left in the dark about their true financial position, making it harder to secure fair settlements

How We Support Clients Experiencing Tech-Facilitated Domestic Abuse

At our firm, we understand that domestic abuse takes many forms – not all of them leave physical scars. Increasingly, abuse is being facilitated through technology, and our family law specialists are trained to recognise and respond to these evolving threats.

We offer urgent legal protection through Non-Molestation Orders and Occupation Orders, helping clients secure safety for themselves and their children. Our team is experienced in presenting evidence of technology-facilitated abuse, such as covert surveillance, harassment via smart devices, or digital stalking, in a way that courts can understand, even when judges may not have encountered these forms of abuse before. We work closely with clients to document and explain the impact of these behaviours, ensuring their experiences are taken seriously and appropriately addressed in legal proceedings.

We’re experts in the legal issues, but we know that often domestic abuse victims need much more support than just a lawyer.  We’re proud to support the Raising Red Flying Green campaign being run by Women’s Aid Luton and Luton Council and further information and support can be found at https://raisingredflyinggreen.co.uk/.

Beyond immediate protection, we also support clients through the financial complexities of separation and divorce. Technology, including AI tools, is increasingly being used by perpetrators to obscure assets, commit financial fraud, or manipulate digital records. This can make it harder for victims to secure fair financial settlements. Our team has extensive experience in uncovering hidden finances and works with trusted forensic experts to trace digital footprints, analyse financial data, and expose deceptive practices. We ensure that our clients are not disadvantaged by the misuse of technology and receive the financial outcomes they are entitled to.

How Can We Help

If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic abuse, especially where technology is involved, please contact us today to speak to a solicitor.  You can also register for one of our free divorce and separation advice consultations – a no-obligation service where we’ll listen to your situation, answer your questions, and help you feel confident about your next steps. As a top-tier firm, we’re here to offer clear guidance and support from the very start.