Domestic abuse law fails to recognise danger of tech abuse, Lords committee told
A Lords committee has been informed that the Domestic Abuse Act does not adequately address technology-facilitated abuse. Jen Reed, a policy adviser, emphasized the increasing prevalence of tech abuse, which includes tracking and monitoring individuals through digital devices. She called for the inclusion of tech abuse in the statutory definition of domestic abuse to ensure it is treated as a core issue rather than a peripheral one.
- ▪A report by Kaspersky found that 45% of respondents experienced tech abuse in the past year.
- ▪Jen Reed stated that tech abuse is as devastating as physical abuse and should be included in the Domestic Abuse Act.
- ▪The lack of reference to tech abuse in the act means it is often treated as a separate issue by frontline services.
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A report by the cybersecurity firm Kaspersky found 45% of its respondents had experienced tech abuse in the past 12 months. Photograph: Halfpoint Images/Getty ImagesView image in fullscreenA report by the cybersecurity firm Kaspersky found 45% of its respondents had experienced tech abuse in the past 12 months. Photograph: Halfpoint Images/Getty ImagesOnline abuseDomestic abuse law fails to recognise danger of tech abuse, Lords committee toldPolicy adviser Jen Reed says tech-facilitated abuse has become ‘increasingly prevalent’ and calls for its inclusion in Domestic Abuse ActPriya BharadiaThu 21 May 2026 14.39 EDTLast modified on Thu 21 May 2026 14.48 EDTSharePrefer the Guardian on GoogleThe Domestic Abuse Act fails to fully recognise the danger of technology-facilitated abuse, such as…
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