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Refuge UK Tech Safety Summit 2025

Innovative Responses to Tackling Technology-Facilitated Abuse and Economic Abuse

When
September 23rd and 24th, 2025
Where
This event will be held online.
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Welcome to theRefuge Tech Safety Summit 2025!

Join us for our second Tech Safety Summit, a virtual event dedicated to tackling technology-facilitated abuse and economic abuse. .

Building on the success of last year’s inaugural event, which brought together experts, policymakers and advocates, this year’s Summit continues to be the only event in the UK dedicated solely to addressing technology-facilitated abuse. As the UK’s largest single provider of domestic abuse services and leading expert in technology-facilitated abuse, Refuge is at the forefront of this critical issue, driving systemic change and empowering survivors

This year’s theme focuses on showcasing innovative responses to tackling technology-facilitated abuse and economic abuse, with a comprehensive programme covering topics such as:

  • Innovations and best practices in tech safety
  • Trends and ways in which abusers are misusing technology to cause harm
  • Children and online safety
  • Emerging challenges in locating survivors through technology
  • Law enforcement responses to technology-facilitated abuse
  • Dedicated sessions focusing on tackling economic abuse

What can you expect?

  • Hear from survivors who have experienced both technology-facilitated abuse and economic abuse.
  • Engaging discussions and workshops led by industry experts.
  • Insights into cutting-edge strategies and solutions.
  • Networking opportunities with like-minded professionals.
  • Access to valuable resources and partnerships.
  • Empowerment to make a difference for survivors of domestic abuse.

Who should attend?

The Tech Safety Summit is ideal for a diverse audience of professionals, policymakers, and advocates interested in combating technology-facilitated abuse and promoting economic empowerment. Attendees include:

  • Tech companies and professionals
  • Financial institutions
  • Legislators
  • Local and National Authority Commissioners and Police and Crime Commissioners
  • Police and agencies in the Criminal Justice System
  • Healthcare professionals
  • VAWG sector
  • Advocates and activists
  • Academics

EventAttractions

50+Speakers
25+Sessions
150+Attendees

Call for proposals now open

We are now looking for proposals for the Refuge Tech Safety Summit 2025!

If you are interested, follow this link for more information and to submit your proposal.

EventSchedule

Agenda

09/23/2025 10:00 am

Conference Welcome and Overview

The Summit's purpose, objectives, key themes, and essential housekeeping details will be outlined for a smooth and engaging experience. 

Emma Pickering
Head of Technology-Facilitated Abuse and Economic Empowerment Team at Refuge

09/23/2025 10:30 am

Opening Keynote Speaker

A survivor advocate panel to help agencies understand the link between technology-facilitated abuse and its direct impact on survivors. 

09/23/2025 11:05 am

How Has Technology-Facilitated Abuse Manifested Over the Years?

Session providing an overview of how technology-facilitated abuse has manifested over the years. From when the service first formed to the key concerns survivors are sharing with our expert team. How our response has evolved and explore safety advice and solutions.

Emma Pickering
Head of Technology-Facilitated Abuse and Economic Empowerment Team at Refuge

09/23/2025 12:00 pm

Breakout Room 1 – Why Accessibility Matters

Session exploring our findings from our 2-year partnership with our by and led partners. Inviting panel members across the sector to share insights into how we can safely engage with survivors.

Djenne Kamara
Project Lead at Refuge

09/23/2025 12:00 pm

Breakout Room 2 – How Both Technology-Facilitated Abuse and Economic Abuse Impacts Older People

Session exploring how technology-facilitated abuse and economic abuse can impact older people. From an increase in monitoring via technology, isolation and controlling access to health care, to increased risks of economic exploitation. We shared trends and insights with an expert panel, identifying solutions for working with survivors.

Emma Pickering
Head of Technology-Facilitated Abuse and Economic Empowerment Team at Refuge

09/23/2025 12:00 pm

Breakout Room 3 – Empowering Women and Society Through Safety by Design

Session exploring how society, designers, tech platforms, legislators and organisations all have a role in creating products and technologies that prioritise security, wellbeing and autonomy over profits.

09/23/2025 12:45 pm

Interactive Lunch

Review of our accessibility tools, how we are focusing on accessibility and why this work is vital to reach more survivors.

Djenne Kamara
Project Lead at Refuge

Laura Read
Digital Lead at Refuge

09/23/2025 01:30 pm

Intersection of Technology-Facilitated Abuse and Economic Abuse

Session to help participants understand that economic and technology-facilitated abuse often occurs concurrently as part of a pattern of coercive control.


09/23/2025 02:30 pm

Breakout Rooms

Attendees will have the opportunity to choose one of three breakout sessions, each offering a focused discussion on key topics.

09/23/2025 03:05 pm

Holding Perpetrators To Account

The session explores the police response to both identifying perpetrators of technology-facilitated abuse and holding them to account. Where are the legislative gaps, what are the challenges for policing and what resources and support are needed to ensure that the criminal justice system can stay ahead of the evolving ways in which perpetrators are misusing technology to cause harm.

Emma Pickering
Head of Technology-Facilitated Abuse and Economic Empowerment Team at Refuge

09/23/2025 03:45 pm

A Year of Action - How Is The Online Safety Act Responding To Survivors

Exploring what the Online Safety Act means for survivors experiencing technology-facilitated abuse. Since the Bill was first designed to implementation how has the landscape changed and what learnings have Ofcom identified to shape their responses for survivors

Ellie Butt
Head of Policy and Public Affairs at Refuge

09/23/2025 04:30 pm

Day 1 Summary and Closing Remarks

An opportunity for reflections, asking any questions and summary of the day. 

09/24/2025 10:00 am

Day 2 Opening and Overview

The second day will begin with key reflections, highlights from the day before, and an overview of what is ahead. 

Emma Pickering
Head of Technology-Facilitated Abuse and Economic Empowerment Team at Refuge

09/24/2025 10:30 am

International Police Response

Session led by experts from Interpol AI Innovation Centre, sharing insights into their AI toolkit which was developed in 2023 to respond to the growing threat of crimes committed via AI generated tools. Hearing from expert speakers how we can utilise technology to identify perpetrators both in the UK and internationally and ensure we have processes and legislation in place to hold them accountable, with appropriate sharing of information and resources.

09/24/2025 11:05 am

Breakout Rooms

Attendees will have the opportunity to choose one of three breakout sessions, each offering a focused discussion on key topics.

09/24/2025 12:10 pm

New Challenges and Risks To Locating a Survivor Through Technology

With the advancements in technology – in particular with AI, a session exploring the challenges we as a service now face when supporting survivors of technology-facilitated abuse, identifying ways perpetrators can use technology to quickly locate a survivor and ways we can mitigate the risks.

Rebekah Read
National Domestic Abuse Helpline Tech Lead at Refuge

Alan Owen
Expert Consultant

09/24/2025 12:45 pm

Interactive Lunch

A day in the life of a member of the Technology-Facilitated Abuse and Economic Empowerment Team, providing insight into their work, challenges and impact. An opportunity for attendees to meet the team and ask questions.

09/24/2025 01:30 pm

Children and Technology

AI is a prevalent topic in the news around deepfakes, romance scams and financial scams but of lately there has been news around AI chatbots. With the increase in AI virtual boyfriends and girlfriends, we are bringing together an expert panel to share insights and solutions into this new phenomenon.

Larome Hyde
Youth Tech Abuse Lead at Refuge

Elaha Walizadeh
Senior Programme Manager - Children and Young People at Refuge

09/24/2025 02:40 pm

Breakout Rooms

Attendees will have the opportunity to choose one of three breakout sessions, each offering a focused discussion on key topics.

09/24/2025 03:30 pm

Legislation and the Governments Response to Tackling Technology-Facilitated Abuse

The Government has announced that they are making tackling technology-facilitated abuse a priority, but what does this mean for survivors? Where are the gaps and what is needed to help ensure all agencies are equipped to identify and respond to survivors of technology-facilitated abuse.

Ellie Butt
Head of Policy and Public Affairs at Refuge

09/24/2025 04:45 pm

Day 2 Summary and Closing Remarks

An opportunity for reflections, asking any questions and summary of the Summit.

Emma Pickering
Head of Technology-Facilitated Abuse and Economic Empowerment Team at Refuge

09/24/2025 05:30 pm

Tech Safety Award Ceremony

This Ceremony will announce the winners of this year's Tech Safety Awards, celebrating their impact, while recognising their outstanding contributions to safety, advocacy and change.

  • Innovation in Tech Safety Award
  • Frontline Response Award
  • Policy and Advocacy Champion
  • Tech Accountability Award
  • Financial Safety Award
  • Impact Journalism Award
  • Special Thanks – Tech and Economic Team Ally Award

Tech SafetyAwards

At Refuge we believe in recognising the efforts of organisations and changemakers who are leading the way in the fight against technology-facilitated and economic abuse. The Tech Safety Awards are dedicated to celebrating those making a significant impact and contribution on safety, advocacy and change.

Nominations Are Now Open

Nominations will close on the 31st of May 2025. An expert panel of judges will carefully review all nominations and announce the shortlisted candidates in June 2025. The winners will be revealed during our virtual award ceremony on the 24th of September.

Recognising organisations, products or initiatives that have made a significant impact in protecting survivors of technology-facilitated abuse and economic abuse.
Recognising individuals or teams in frontline services who have gone above and beyond to support survivors of technology-facilitated abuse and economic abuse.
Recognising individuals or organisations that are influencing policy changes or raising awareness around technology-facilitated abuse and economic abuse.
Recognising companies, products or platforms that have implemented meaningful changes to prevent technology being misused by perpetrators.
Recognising financial institutions or companies that have taken significant steps to prevent economic abuse, enhance their financial safety measures, and support survivors to regain their financial independence.
Recognising journalists and media professionals who have raised awareness on technology-facilitated abuse and economic abuse, amplifying survivors' voices and driving change.

OurSpeakers

Coming soon

Tickets

Early Bird Ticket - £200

(only available until the 30th of April 2025)


Ticket includes:

  • Full access to the 2-day event and Tech Safety Awards (you will be requested to select if you wish to attend the virtual award ceremony at the time of booking).
  • Option to select your breakout room preferences.
  • Access to the recordings of the event and all breakout room sessions for 3 months post event.
  • Networking opportunities.
  • Virtual goody bag.
  • Opportunity to interact and post questions to presenters.
Charity Ticket - £100

Ticket includes:

  • Full access to the 2-day event and Tech Safety Awards (you will be requested to select if you wish to attend the virtual award ceremony at the time of booking).
  • Option to select your breakout room preferences.
  • Networking opportunities.
  • Virtual goody bag.
  • Opportunity to interact and post questions to presenters.

Single-Day Ticket - £100

Ticket includes:

  • Full access to 1 day of the event (you will be requested to select your preferred date at the time of booking).
  • Option to select your breakout room preferences.
  • Networking opportunities.
  • Virtual goody bag.
  • Opportunity to interact and post questions to presenters.

Event Recordings Package - £100

Ticket includes:

  • Access to the recordings of the event and all breakout room sessions for 3 months post event.

Please ensure you review our Terms and Conditions carefully prior to making your ticket purchase.

OurSponsors

Coming soon

Frequently Asked Questions



Add Settings
The Summit is open to professionals, policymakers, and advocates interested in combating technology-facilitated abuse and promoting economic empowerment.
The Tech Safety Summit is organised and led by Refuge’s Technology-Facilitated Abuse and Economic Empowerment Team, an expert team dedicated to supporting survivors of domestic abuse and tackling technology-facilitated abuse and economic abuse.
At the Tech Safety Summit, attendees can expect a dynamic and insightful experience. You'll have the opportunity to gain expertise from leading experts in the fields of technology-facilitated abuse and economic abuse and explore innovative ideas for driving positive change. Networking opportunities will allow you to connect with like-minded professionals and organisations, fostering valuable collaborations. Whether you're already familiar with the topic or new to it, the Summit offers accessible and engaging learning experiences to deepen your understanding of technology-facilitated abuse and its impact. Additionally, the Summit provides practical resources and guidance to support survivors. Most importantly, the Summit aims to inspire and motivate attendees to contribute to the collective effort in combating technology-facilitated abuse, leaving you feeling empowered to make a difference.
The Tech Safety Summit will cover a range of topics related to technology-facilitated abuse, economic empowerment, policy, and advocacy. Check out our agenda for more details.
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Yes, the Summit will be accessible online, providing flexibility for remote attendees.
Prior to the event, you will receive an email containing instructions on how to access the event platform. Keep an eye on your inbox for this important email.

On the day of the event, simply click on the ‘Login’ button located on this homepage to access the event platform. Once you have entered your login credentials, this link will direct you to the virtual environment where the Summit will take place.

In case you encounter any technical difficulties during the login process or while using the platform, don't hesitate to reach out to our dedicated technical support team.
Yes, networking opportunities will be available at the Tech Safety Summit, even in a virtual environment. Attendees will have access to various virtual networking features, such as public chat rooms and private chats, designed to facilitate connections with other professionals, organisations, and experts in the field. These virtual networking opportunities provide valuable occasions for attendees to engage in meaningful conversations, share insights, exchange ideas, and establish collaborations—all from the comfort of their own workspace. Our platform will offer user-friendly tools to help attendees navigate and make the most out of these networking experiences, fostering a supportive and collaborative environment.
Absolutely! We understand the importance of engaging with speakers and presenters during the Tech Safety Summit. There will be dedicated opportunities for Q&A following presentations or talks, to provide attendees with the chance to interact directly with speakers, ask questions, seek clarification, and engage in meaningful discussions on the topics being presented.

Our aim is to foster an interactive and collaborative environment where attendees can actively participate and exchange ideas with industry experts and thought leaders.
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You can register for the Tech Safety Summit by following these steps:
1. Click on the ‘Register’ button located on this homepage or navigate to the registration section.
2. Fill out the registration form with your personal information, including your name, email address, organisation/company, and any other required details.
3. Select your ticket type.
4. Review your registration details to ensure accuracy.
5. Proceed to the payment section to complete your registration. You may be prompted to enter payment information or choose a payment method.
6. You will receive a confirmation email once your registration is successfully completed.
If you encounter any difficulties during the registration process or have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact our Summit registration support team at techsafetysummit@refuge.org.uk. We're here to assist you every step of the way!

Please note that your ticket and access to the Summit will not be confirmed until payment has been successfully processed. To ensure your participation, please complete the payment promptly.
As part of the networking opportunities the Summit offers, attendees will have the ability to search for and connect with other participants. Please note that only your name, surname, job title and organisation will be visible to other attendees. By booking a ticket, you are agreeing to share this information as part of the event’s networking experience. If you wish to remain anonymous or have concerns about your profile visibility, please contact us directly.

Other profile details will not be shared without your explicit consent. Refuge respects your privacy and confidentiality, and any other information provided during the registration process or throughout the event will be handled in accordance with applicable data protection regulations. Attendee profiles are mainly used for event logistics purposes and may be shared with select event organisers for networking purposes. Your privacy and security are important, and Refuge ensures that your personal information is protected. For further information on how personal data is collected and used, how long it is kept, and other privacy-related matters, please read our Privacy Policy.
At the Tech Safety Summit, information shared with sponsors is limited to what is necessary for event-related purposes, which may include aggregated data about attendee demographics. Attendee explicit consent is required for any sharing of personal information with sponsors, and Refuge prioritises attendee privacy and data security in all interactions with sponsors.

For further information on how personal data is collected and used, how long it is kept, and other privacy-related matters, please read our Privacy Policy.
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Yes, the event will be accessible. We have collected accessibility requirements from all Tech Safety Summit guests. If you did not complete this section during the registration process, please contact us with your requirements via email at techsafetysummit@refuge.org.uk.

We have put in place measures to ensure that the event is fully accessible. Your comfort and accessibility are important to us, and we strive to create an inclusive environment for all attendees.
Yes, live captioning will be available for all presentations and sessions during the Tech Safety Summit. We are committed to ensuring accessibility for all attendees, including those who may benefit from captioning services. Our goal is to make the Summit as inclusive and accessible as possible, and live captioning is just one of the many measures we have implemented to achieve this objective.

If you have any specific accessibility requests or require further assistance, please don't hesitate to contact our support team. We're here to ensure that everyone can fully participate and engage in the Summit experience.
Yes, there will be British Sign Language (BSL) interpreters available at the Tech Safety Summit. We are committed to ensuring accessibility for all attendees, and BSL interpreters will be provided to facilitate communication and participation for individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing. If you require the assistance of a BSL interpreter, please let us know in advance so that we can make the necessary arrangements to accommodate your needs.
If you require accessibility support during the event, please don't hesitate to reach out to our dedicated team who will be there to assist you and ensure that you have a comfortable and inclusive experience at the Tech Safety Summit.

On the day of the event, you will be able to contact us through the virtual platform or send an email to techsafetysummit@refuge.org.uk with your requirements.
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Our cancellation policy is outlined in the Terms & Conditions. If you are unable to attend the Summit, your ticket can be transferred to another individual. To request a ticket transfer, please email us at techsafetysummit@refuge.org.uk with the details of the new attendee. If a transfer of the ticket is not feasible, you may cancel your booking within 14 days of purchase to receive a full refund.
After the initial 14-day period, refunds will no longer be issued, and payment will remain required. However, you may still transfer the ticket. Please ensure you review our terms and conditions carefully prior to making your purchase. This policy applies to tickets purchased via PayPal and invoice. Even if payment has not yet been made for an invoice, failure to cancel within the 14-day period will result in you being legally liable for the full ticket price.
To cancel your ticket, please email techsafetysummit@refuge.org.uk. Please note that no refunds will be available after August 22nd, 2025. Refund requests received after this date will not be processed. Refunds cannot be applied for after the event has taken place, regardless of the circumstances.
Yes, tickets are transferrable. If you need to update the name associated with your ticket, please contact our event registration team at techsafetysummit@refuge.org.uk with the details of the change. We will assist you in updating the ticket name to ensure that it reflects the correct attendee information.
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We are now accepting proposals for speakers at the Refuge Tech Safety Summit 2025. If you have insights or expertise to share on tackling technology-facilitated abuse or economic abuse, we invite you to get involved. To submit your proposal, please follow this link. We look forward to hearing from you!
Yes, sponsorship opportunities are available. Contact us for more information on how your organisation can get involved. Our email address is techsafetysummit@refuge.org.uk.
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Yes, the content of the Tech Safety Summit will be available after the event. Attendees will have access to detailed event materials, presentations, and resources for up to 3 months following the conclusion of the Summit. This period allows attendees to revisit key insights, information, and learnings shared during the Summit. After this timeframe, access to the content will be removed. We encourage attendees to make the most of this opportunity to continue benefiting from the valuable content and apply it to their work.
There will be opportunities to provide feedback both during and after the Summit. We encourage all attendees to share their thoughts and experiences to help us improve future Summit experiences and ensure the event meets your expectations.

Additionally, you can reach out to our team directly via email at techsafetysummit@refuge.org.uk with any specific feedback or suggestions you'd like to share. We appreciate your input and look forward to hearing from you!
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To contact the organisers of the Tech Safety Summit, you can send an email to techsafetysummit@refuge.org.uk. Our team is here to assist you with any inquiries, questions, or concerns you may have regarding the event. Whether you need assistance with registration, accessibility support, or general event information, please feel free to contact us, and we'll be happy to help.
If you encounter technical difficulties during the event, our technical support team will be available throughout the entire duration to assist you with any glitches or issues. You can also each out to us by emailing techsafetysummit@refuge.org.uk. Our team is dedicated to promptly responding to your email and helping to resolve any issues you may be experiencing. Additionally, we will share pre-event information and links to resources to help you prepare.
To ensure the privacy and safety of attendees during virtual sessions, we have implemented several security measures. Firstly, we prioritise confidentiality and respect the privacy of all attendees. Additionally, we have mechanisms in place to verify the identities of participants and restrict access to authorized individuals only.

Moreover, we understand the importance of creating a safe environment, especially for survivors of domestic abuse. As part of our commitment to attendee safety, we ask if individuals feel comfortable and would like safety advice and support, to identify as survivors during registration. If an attendee identifies as a survivor, we can provide tailored support and advise them on safety measures to ensure they interact in the sessions in a secure and comfortable manner.

Furthermore, our platform employs encryption and secure channels to protect sensitive information exchanged during sessions. We also monitor sessions for any inappropriate behaviour and have moderation protocols in place to address any concerns promptly.

Overall, our comprehensive security measures are designed to uphold the privacy and safety of all attendees, including survivors, and create an environment for meaningful engagement and learning during virtual sessions.