What is Technology-Facilitated Abuse?
The term 'Technology-Facilitated Abuse', or 'Technology-Based Harms', is used to describe technology being misused to inflict harm on another person. Abusers may use technology to control, harass, stalk or intimidate you. They may carry out physical, sexual, psychological, or economic abuse using technology. Technology-facilitated abuse might include, however is not limited to, the following behaviours:
- An abuser constantly sending messages or calling you
- Your phone or email being hacked
- A stranger, or known individual, cyberstalking you
- Someone posting about you online or threatening to share your information/image
- A partner or family member using your home devices against you/to monitor you
- An abuser having access to your online banking or benefits
Why is it important to raise awareness of these harms?
National statistics demonstrate that technology-facilitated abuse is on the increase.
- Refuge recorded 967 referrals to its specialist Technology-Facilitated Abuse and Economic Empowerment team between April 2025 and March 2026, marking a 78% increase from the previous year.
- Approximately 72% of women accessing Refuge services report experiencing some form of technology-facilitated abuse.
- Stalking and digital surveillance play a role in 100% of cases handled by the Suzy Lamplugh Trust.
- Research from Changing Lives highlights that 75% of respondents face persistent digital contact, 62% experience fake accounts created for harassment, 44% report tracking devices, and 69% face threats of shared private media.
- A Refuge poll revealed that 19% of teenagers have had partners check their phones or social media, and 14% have had their locations monitored.
Technology-Facilitated Abuse has real life effects, it is vital that individuals feel empowered to use technology safely and to regain freedoms, whether they be economic, physical or psychological. Taking back control of personal devices and accounts can reinstall feelings of safety and enable a return to normal daily routines, which may have been altered or restricted due to the abuse. While raising awareness, advocating for safety by design is key in mitigating the risk of technology being used to harm - responsibility for 'safe' technology also lies with software developers, tech company creators, and social media platform owners.
How do I report technology-facilitated abuse?
Urgent Support
Are you in immediate danger? If you, or someone else, are in immediate danger, or seriously injured, call 999.
Find a safe space. If an incident has just happened, try and find somewhere you feel safe. If you are at the University you can call University Security 24/7 on 0121 414 4444 or go to your nearest University building and ask someone to phone Security for you. You use the SafeZone app to get assistance on campus or report an incident. The app will directly connect you to the appropriate safety/security team or first responder for that area, who will provide the assistance you need.
Reporting to the Police
If you feel it is not an emergency you can still report the incident to the police by calling 101 or by using the West Midlands Police Live Chat or find your local police force. An officer will take some details and should issue you with a crime reference number. There are specially trained staff and units within Police forces that can support you through the reporting process. You can find out more about your reporting options for technology-facilitated abuse via the following links:
Cyber crime | West Midlands Police,
Digital domestic abuse | West Midlands Police,
Non-consensual intimate image abuse (revenge porn) | West Midlands Police,
Report stalking or harassment | West Midlands Police
Reporting Tools:
Report Fraud is the place to tell the police about cyber crime and fraud. Using their service you can make a report online or by phone on 0300 123 2040. They also provide the Report Fraud Victim Service which offers dedicated, and specialist help to victims of cyber crime and fraud.
Report Harmful Content can help you to report harmful content online by providing up to date information on community standards and direct links to the correct reporting facilities across multiple platforms
Report Remove is here to help young people under 18 in the UK to confidentially report sexual images and videos of themselves and remove them from the internet.
Internet Watch Foundation accept anonymous reports and work to eliminate child sexual abuse imagery online, preventing the ongoing victimisation of those abused in childhood and making the internet safer for all.
Chayn’s Survivor AI Tool was created to empower those affected by image-based abuse. They provide compassionate guidance through the takedown request process, using AI to help you create effective letters tailored to your specific situation.
Stop Non-Consensual Intimate Image Abuse is a free tool designed to support victims of Non-Consensual Intimate Image (NCII) abuse. It works with participating companies to help detect and remove images from being shared online.
Formally Report to the University
If you do wish to make a formal complaint about another student for the purposes of initiating an internal disciplinary process, we would advise you to contact Student Conduct Complaints and Appeals to talk about the process involved. This will allow you to ask questions, make sure you are fully aware of what the process would involve before you submit a formal complaint. You can contact the Student Conduct Complaints and Appeals office by emailing conduct@contacts.bham.ac.uk
If you would like to make a complaint about the conduct of a University of Birmingham staff member you can find out more on in the Raising a Concern or Complaint section on our Intranet pages.
If you decide to report the matter to the police and the University, you can email Student Conduct, Complaints and Appeals (conduct@contacts.bham.ac.uk) with the following details:
• The Crime Reference Number(s)
• Details of the student you have reported to the Police (Name/Course)
• Details of when the alleged offence(s) occurred
• Details of where the alleged offence(s) occurred
• A brief indication of the offence(s) under investigation (e.g., harassment, assault).
If you do decide to report to the University and/or the Police, a Responder can provide support to you before, during and after any process.
What support is available to those impacted by technology-based harms?
University of Birmingham support
Speak to a Responder - You can use the Report and Support tool to make a disclosure and speak to a trained Responder and explore your options, which could include wellbeing and academic support, practical advice, formal reporting options and safety planning. If you have sought support from another member of staff at the University they can submit an online form on your behalf to request an appointment with a Responder. They will make sure they have your permission before they submit any personal information on your behalf.
Please be aware that submitting an online form through Report + Support is primarily about making a disclosure and accessing support. Making a disclosure will not automatically initiate University disciplinary procedures, this is a separate process.
The University has a range of wellbeing support. If you are not sure who to contact, you can speak to a Wellbeing Officer within your school or college or Guild Advice for further guidance and signposting.
UBHeard is a confidential listening and support service for all registered students (undergraduate and postgraduate) that gives you immediate emotional and mental health support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. If you’re in the UK, access the free UBHeard service by calling the 24/7 confidential helpline on 0800 917 9379 (Freephone UK) to speak to a trained counsellor or visit the Wisdom App, entering the UoB unique code: MHA323213.
Wellbeing Officers are available in each School and are able to provide practical and emotional support for you if you are experiencing personal problems, particularly when these might interfere with your academic work. They can also guide you through the extenuating circumstances process if your studies have or are being affected.
The Community Safety Team can provide advice, practical help and information about personal safety. The team consists of our Campus Police Officer, two Police Community Support Officers (PCSO’s) and the Safety Team. They can be found in the Community Safety Hub, North Lodge, at the top of the Green Heart, between 10:00 and 16:00 Mon-Fri). There are a number of private rooms within the Hub. Just ask a member of the team on arrival or alternatively you can email the team at communitysafetyteam@contacts.bham.ac.uk
External support
Refuge Tech Safety has various resources including, Secure Your Tech: provides guides around securing a range of accounts and devices; Home Tech Tool: interactive tool outlining key risks and top tips for securing home tech; Digital Break Up Tool: interactive tool outlining key risks and top tips for securing various accounts such as gaming, banking etc. Refuge also operate the freephone, 24-hour National Domestic Abuse Helpline on 0808 2000 247.
The Revenge Porn Helpline supports all adult victims of intimate image abuse living in the UK. Call 0345 6000 459,10 am to 4 pm, Monday to Friday (excluding bank holidays).
The UK Safer Internet Centre (UKSIC) provide support and services to children and young people, adults facing online harms, and professionals working with children. They have produced resources on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Online Safety.
LoveSaid is a fraud centre and think tank, dedicated to combating romance fraud. Its mission is to prevent fraud, support victims and empower all stakeholders working to improve outcomes in this space.
Galop - the LGBT+ anti-abuse charity and National Helpline for LGBT+ Victims and Survivors of Abuse and Violence - 0800 999 5428
Victim Support is an independent charity that help people affected by crime and traumatic events. They are not part of the police or any other criminal justice agency. You can contact them on 0808 168 9111.
The Cyber Helpline is a charity who provide expert help for victims of cybercrime and online harm including online harassment.