The Suzy Lamplugh Trust is delighted to announce today on the first day of the Tech Abuse Conference [1], the recent launch of its pan-London Stalking Support Service. The service incorporates new elements to take down harmful social media content related to stalking conduct and support victims to collect court-admissible digital evidence. An AI chatbot will also be carefully managed to provide victims with vital information about support services and steps to stay safe. It combines specialist safeguarding expertise with innovative safety by design technology working along with SherlockAI, Risk Crew, Kulpa and SWGfL, to better protect victims in an increasingly digital world.

We are also delighted to be part of the Tech Abuse Conference today, which brings together tech experts, policymakers, victims-survivors, academics, civil society and other relevant stakeholders across three days to address the global phenomenon of technology-facilitated abuse against women and girls. We know that emerging technologies such as AI tools, stalkerware, smart home devices, geolocation tracking, social media and other connected devices (IoT) are making it easier for perpetrators to stalk, harass, target and intimidate victims and survivors remotely.

Victims and survivors cannot afford any delay in implementing solutions that tackle the harm of online abuse. The Government, Ofcom and the tech industry all have a responsibility to respond collectively to this growing concern. The Government must take bold steps to ensure tech companies adopt a safety by design approach to mitigate any potential harm from the designs of their platforms and products before it is rolled out onto the market, through to monitoring and remedying any harmful features or functionalities of products throughout its entire lifecycle and retirement. This approach would ensure violence against women and girls is considered from the outset and hold tech platforms accountable.

Emma Lingley-Clark, Interim CEO at the Suzy Lamplugh Trust said: 

“The Suzy Lamplugh Trust are thrilled to announce that the Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime (MOPAC) has recently recommissioned the pan-London Stalking Support Service with an investment of £2.2 million, including tech-facilitated support for victims.

We are delighted to work with SherlockAI, Risk Crew, Kulpa and SWGfL to deliver the service which recognises the potential of emerging technologies to pose an opportunity as well as risk and embraces technological advances whilst ensuring safety by design.

The project recognises growing concerns relating to tech-enabled stalking and harassment by working with technology specialists to support safety assessments for victims, including what personal information is publicly available about them.”

ENDS

For any press queries or to arrange an interview with a spokesperson, please contact the Suzy Lamplugh Trust at [email protected] or call 07747 611 308.

Editor’s Notes

[1] Organised by UCL Gender and Tech Research Lab.

Suzy Lamplugh Trust: 

Suzy Lamplugh Trust is a national personal safety charity set up after the disappearance of Suzy Lamplugh 40 years ago. Our mission is to reduce the risk of violence, aggression and abuse through campaigning, education, and support. The Trust campaigns for better protection for victims of violence, aggression and stalking in policy and law. Suzy Lamplugh Trust runs the National Stalking Helpline and Advocacy Service, the only stalking helpline service for all victims across the UK, set up in 2010. The Helpline and Advocacy Service have supported over 100,000 victims of stalking to date.