Refuge UK Tech Safety Summit 2025

Emma Pickering is a dedicated professional, with extensive experience in the VAWG sector. Her career at Refuge began in 2017 when she joined as a MARAC coordinator within the Warwickshire service. Emma joined the Tech Abuse team in January 2018 at the beginning of the project. Currently the Head of Tech & Economic Abuse, Emma plays a pivotal role at Refuge.

Emma's commitment to preventing technology-facilitated domestic abuse is evident in her pursuit of specialised training. She received Tech Abuse training from SafetyNet, and trained as an IRIS Advocate Educator. Her academic background, including a BA Honours degree in Working with Young People and Services from De Montfort University, and a Masters Degree in Understanding the Dynamics of Domestic and Sexual Violence from the University of Worcester, has equipped her with extensive knowledge of the complex issues surrounding domestic abuse. Emma is further exploring the subject, in ongoing PhD studies at Birmingham City University, titled "Evaluating the role of domestic homicide Technology-Facilitated Abuse and Domestic Homicide." 

As a Churchill Fellow, Emma is an advocate for survivors of technology-facilitated domestic abuse. Her expertise in the intersection of tech and economic abuse has equipped Emma in leading a team, who provide direct support to women and children facing these challenges. Emma manages external partnerships and stakeholders, collaborating closely with Refuge's policy and fundraising teams to generate income and foster growth within her team. Additionally, Emma plays a crucial role in shaping legislative asks to improve responses for survivors of technology-facilitated abuse, leading to more positive outcomes within the VAWG sector.

Emma Pickering is a dedicated professional, with extensive experience in the VAWG sector. Her career at Refuge began in 2017 when she joined as a MARAC coordinator within the Warwickshire service. Emma joined the Tech Abuse team in January 2018 at the beginning of the project. Currently the Head of Tech & Economic Abuse, Emma plays a pivotal role at Refuge.

Emma's commitment to preventing technology-facilitated domestic abuse is evident in her pursuit of specialised training. She received Tech Abuse training from SafetyNet, and trained as an IRIS Advocate Educator. Her academic background, including a BA Honours degree in Working with Young People and Services from De Montfort University, and a Masters Degree in Understanding the Dynamics of Domestic and Sexual Violence from the University of Worcester, has equipped her with extensive knowledge of the complex issues surrounding domestic abuse. Emma is further exploring the subject, in ongoing PhD studies at Birmingham City University, titled "Evaluating the role of domestic homicide Technology-Facilitated Abuse and Domestic Homicide." 

As a Churchill Fellow, Emma is an advocate for survivors of technology-facilitated domestic abuse. Her expertise in the intersection of tech and economic abuse has equipped Emma in leading a team, who provide direct support to women and children facing these challenges. Emma manages external partnerships and stakeholders, collaborating closely with Refuge's policy and fundraising teams to generate income and foster growth within her team. Additionally, Emma plays a crucial role in shaping legislative asks to improve responses for survivors of technology-facilitated abuse, leading to more positive outcomes within the VAWG sector.

Diana Freed is an Assistant Professor of Computer and Data Science at Brown University. She is also a visiting scholar at the Petrie-Flom Center at Harvard Law School, a Faculty Associate at the Harvard Berkman Klein Center for Internet and Society and a Research Affiliate at the Hire Aspirations Institute at the Harvard SEAS. Dr. Freed’s research focuses on the intersection of technology and society to improve computer security, privacy, safety and wellbeing for vulnerable and marginalized populations. Her research has received awards at top-tier conferences and has been featured in media outlets such as The New York Times, The Washington Post, and NPR.

Julio Poveda is a Ph.D. student in Computer Science at the University of Maryland. He does cybersecurity and privacy research, and he is a volunteer at Cornell University's Clinic to End Technology Abuse (CETA), where he helps survivors of intimate partner violence with their tech-related concerns. His work has been featured by the Washington Post, New Scientist magazine, Krebs on Security, WUSA9, and he has co-led digital safety trainings for multiple domestic violence advocacy groups, including the U.S. National Network to End Domestic Violence and Rights & Security International.

Vicki Trapps has worked at the deaf-led charity SignHealth for over 20 years, beginning her career in mental health services. After eight years in mental health, she moved into the Domestic Abuse Team, becoming an Independent Domestic and Sexual Violence Advisor (IDSVA) and later a Team Leader, supporting deaf survivors across a wide range of complex and high-risk cases.

For the past two years, Vicki has led the Domestic Abuse service as the Service Manager, overseeing the UK’s only deaf-led domestic abuse support service. Under her leadership, the service has expanded from a small regional offer in London and Kent to a national service covering all of England - improving access to support for the UK’s estimated 87,000 BSL (British Sign Language) deaf people.

As a deaf professional with lived experience, Vicki understands the systemic barriers deaf survivors face across statutory and voluntary sectors. Her perspective shapes a practice rooted in equity, accessibility, and deaf cultural competence.

Vicki and her team are also a strong voice in the conversation around tech abuse and digital safety in the deaf community. While technology increases access, it can also be used to control, isolate or survive deaf victims in ways that often go unnoticed by mainstream services. Vicki and her team continue to push for deaf-aware tech solutions and safeguarding approaches that reflect the realities of deaf people’s lives.

Their leadership is grounded in trauma-informed, culturally competent and survivor-led practice, - always working to ensure that deaf people are not left behind in national responses to abuse.

Emma Pickering is a dedicated professional, with extensive experience in the VAWG sector. Her career at Refuge began in 2017 when she joined as a MARAC coordinator within the Warwickshire service. Emma joined the Tech Abuse team in January 2018 at the beginning of the project. Currently the Head of Tech & Economic Abuse, Emma plays a pivotal role at Refuge.

Emma's commitment to preventing technology-facilitated domestic abuse is evident in her pursuit of specialised training. She received Tech Abuse training from SafetyNet, and trained as an IRIS Advocate Educator. Her academic background, including a BA Honours degree in Working with Young People and Services from De Montfort University, and a Masters Degree in Understanding the Dynamics of Domestic and Sexual Violence from the University of Worcester, has equipped her with extensive knowledge of the complex issues surrounding domestic abuse. Emma is further exploring the subject, in ongoing PhD studies at Birmingham City University, titled "Evaluating the role of domestic homicide Technology-Facilitated Abuse and Domestic Homicide." 

As a Churchill Fellow, Emma is an advocate for survivors of technology-facilitated domestic abuse. Her expertise in the intersection of tech and economic abuse has equipped Emma in leading a team, who provide direct support to women and children facing these challenges. Emma manages external partnerships and stakeholders, collaborating closely with Refuge's policy and fundraising teams to generate income and foster growth within her team. Additionally, Emma plays a crucial role in shaping legislative asks to improve responses for survivors of technology-facilitated abuse, leading to more positive outcomes within the VAWG sector.

Carrie Bower is Hourglass’s Safeguarding Policy and Training Lead. Hourglass is the only charity dedicated to ending the abuse, harm and exploitation of people aged 60+ across the UK.

Carrie is a registered social worker and accredited trauma informed trainer. She has previously worked as a Safeguarding Manager and Domestic Abuse Lead in the charity sector and has held a variety of roles dedicated to older people in the statutory sector.

Adele Zeynep Walton is a British-Turkish journalist and online safety campaigner specialising in the human impacts of digital technology and social media. Her debut book Logging Off: The Human Cost of Our Digital World published in 2025. She has bylines in the i, Metro, Big Issue, Dazed, Vice, The Independent, The New Arab, Tribune, Jacobin, Refinery 29, Open Democracy and more.

With a diverse background including marketing, film & television, and special needs education, Laura brings a person-centred approach to the digital space. Currently Digital Lead within the Tech Safety team at Refuge, Laura is passionate about accessibility and dedicated to ensuring that digital content is inclusive and reaches those most vulnerable, facing additional barriers. Laura’s cross-industry experience informs a deep commitment to creating safe, equitable online environments for all.

Gareth is leading authority on financial inclusion, community finance and local welfare provision, with over 20 years’ experience. He is Co-Director of the not-for-profit Financial Inclusion Centre, and also recently sat on the HM Treasury Financial Inclusion Policy Forum.

In 2020, Gareth founded Cash Perks – a multi award-winning cash payment facility addressing the challenge of getting welfare funds to struggling households facing financial crisis.  This innovative solution allows the recipient to collect their funds for free 24/7 at local ATMs nationwide – without the need for a bank card.

Sophie Inkster serves as the Technology-Facilitated Abuse Lead for Lambeth at Refuge, the UK’s largest domestic abuse charity, where she offers specialist support to survivors facing complex forms of tech-facilitated and economic abuse. With a focus on survivor-centred solutions, Sophie collaborates across policy, research, and advocacy spaces to ensure that the experiences of survivors remain central to addressing these evolving challenges.

As part of Refuge’s pioneering Technology-Facilitated Abuse and Economic Empowerment Team, Sophie plays a crucial role in advancing the fight against abuse enabled by technology. This team leads the UK’s only specialist service in this area, and recently hosted the first-ever UK Tech Safety Summit, where experts from the tech industry and other sectors gathered to explore innovative responses to this growing issue. Sophie empowers survivors to reclaim control over their lives, providing vital support during or after the abuse they’ve endured.

An advocate for inclusivity, Sophie is also the Co-Chair of Refuge’s LGBTQ+ network and works on designing training that ensures best practices in supporting LGBTQ+ survivors. She is dedicated to examining how technology-facilitated abuse disproportionately impacts marginalised communities, particularly within the LGBTQ+ community.

With an academic background in Politics and Spanish from the University of Bath and a Master’s in Human Rights from the London School of Economics, Sophie combines her extensive experience with a passion for education and advocacy. She remains committed to improving awareness around tech-facilitated abuse for both adults and young people. At this conference, Sophie will represent her team’s mission to evolve responses to domestic abuse as it continues to take new forms in an increasingly digital world.

Emma Pickering is a dedicated professional, with extensive experience in the VAWG sector. Her career at Refuge began in 2017 when she joined as a MARAC coordinator within the Warwickshire service. Emma joined the Tech Abuse team in January 2018 at the beginning of the project. Currently the Head of Tech & Economic Abuse, Emma plays a pivotal role at Refuge.

Emma's commitment to preventing technology-facilitated domestic abuse is evident in her pursuit of specialised training. She received Tech Abuse training from SafetyNet, and trained as an IRIS Advocate Educator. Her academic background, including a BA Honours degree in Working with Young People and Services from De Montfort University, and a Masters Degree in Understanding the Dynamics of Domestic and Sexual Violence from the University of Worcester, has equipped her with extensive knowledge of the complex issues surrounding domestic abuse. Emma is further exploring the subject, in ongoing PhD studies at Birmingham City University, titled "Evaluating the role of domestic homicide Technology-Facilitated Abuse and Domestic Homicide." 

As a Churchill Fellow, Emma is an advocate for survivors of technology-facilitated domestic abuse. Her expertise in the intersection of tech and economic abuse has equipped Emma in leading a team, who provide direct support to women and children facing these challenges. Emma manages external partnerships and stakeholders, collaborating closely with Refuge's policy and fundraising teams to generate income and foster growth within her team. Additionally, Emma plays a crucial role in shaping legislative asks to improve responses for survivors of technology-facilitated abuse, leading to more positive outcomes within the VAWG sector.

Introducing Detective Sergeant Bryan Field, with a 29-year career in the Metropolitan Police Service. Currently, Bryan plays a pivotal role in improving digital investigation in Serious and complex Crime.

He has written guidance and policy for officer’s response to Online Abuse and Harassment, securing the digital scene during the golden hour of Domestic abuse, Missing Person Investigations and Homicide Investigations. 

He is currently leading in the training for PIP3 senior investigating officers and the digital media investigations within the MPS. With a passion for enhancing investigative practices and a wealth of knowledge in identifying and securing digital evidence during the golden hour of an investigation. 

Bryan has extensive experience as a detective, specialised in homicide and serious complex investigations, with training and skills in identifying digital evidence, investigation interviewing, family liaison and victimology, particularly in complex cases involving homicide and high risk missing person investigations. Notably, Bryan spent the first four years on the investigation into the tragic Grenfell Tower fire, managing the major incident room and writing the investigation strategy for engaging with people involved in the tower's construction and refurbishment, including securing digital evidence.

Ellie has been Refuge's Head of Policy and Public Affairs for the last 7 years. Prior to joining Refuge she worked in criminal justice policy. Ellie is a 2020 Clore Emerging Leaders Fellow and a 2015 Churchill Fellow.

Emma Pickering is a dedicated professional, with extensive experience in the VAWG sector. Her career at Refuge began in 2017 when she joined as a MARAC coordinator within the Warwickshire service. Emma joined the Tech Abuse team in January 2018 at the beginning of the project. Currently the Head of Tech & Economic Abuse, Emma plays a pivotal role at Refuge.

Emma's commitment to preventing technology-facilitated domestic abuse is evident in her pursuit of specialised training. She received Tech Abuse training from SafetyNet, and trained as an IRIS Advocate Educator. Her academic background, including a BA Honours degree in Working with Young People and Services from De Montfort University, and a Masters Degree in Understanding the Dynamics of Domestic and Sexual Violence from the University of Worcester, has equipped her with extensive knowledge of the complex issues surrounding domestic abuse. Emma is further exploring the subject, in ongoing PhD studies at Birmingham City University, titled "Evaluating the role of domestic homicide Technology-Facilitated Abuse and Domestic Homicide." 

As a Churchill Fellow, Emma is an advocate for survivors of technology-facilitated domestic abuse. Her expertise in the intersection of tech and economic abuse has equipped Emma in leading a team, who provide direct support to women and children facing these challenges. Emma manages external partnerships and stakeholders, collaborating closely with Refuge's policy and fundraising teams to generate income and foster growth within her team. Additionally, Emma plays a crucial role in shaping legislative asks to improve responses for survivors of technology-facilitated abuse, leading to more positive outcomes within the VAWG sector.

Madelaine Thomas is the founder of Image Angel, a company dedicated to combating non-consensual intimate image (NCII) abuse online. In response to the prevalence of such abuses, Image Angel developed invisible watermarking technology that embeds unique, unremovable fingerprints into images. This innovation allows platforms to trace unauthorised sharing back to the perpetrator, enhancing user safety and platform accountability. This survivor-led deterrent has been recommended as best practice by the UK Department for Science, Innovation and Technology

Mashood Ahmad is the CEO and founder of Gigabit IQ, an award-winning UK broadband provider dedicated to delivering safer, smarter, and faster internet through fully managed Wi-Fi and industry-leading online safety tools. A recognised voice in digital inclusion and child online protection, Mashood is a Council Member at ISPA UK and a vocal advocate for stronger ISP accountability in protecting families online.

Under Mashood’s leadership, Gigabit IQ has pioneered services like FamilyGuard+, a network-level parental control solution designed to meet the real-world needs of modern families. He has spearheaded initiatives supporting vulnerable communities, including children in care, refugees, and low-income households, through fair access broadband and safety education.

Mashood is the author of the white paper “Beyond the Act: The Hidden Layer of Online Harm No One’s Regulating”, which challenges current UK online safety legislation and proposes a new national ISP Safety Rating System, akin to NCAP for cars or Ofsted for schools.

A frequent speaker on digital safety, Mashood is leading an Online Safety & ISP Accountabilitysession at the UK Internet Parliament Conference with ISPA, and continues to work with regulators, MPs, and safety groups to shape a safer digital future for all.

Chioma Agwuegbo works at the intersection of women's issues, media, politics, and technology. As the Executive Director of TechHerNG, Chioma focuses on making technology accessible to women and utilising tech solutions to address societal problems, particularly those affecting women. TechHerNG oversees KURAM, a web-based platform that aggregates incidents of online gender-based violence and assists survivors in accessing justice. TechHer also co-manages a GBV Emergency Response Fund in partnership with Education as a Vaccine (EVA), providing rapid funding to survivors of sexual and gender-based violence within a 24-hour window.

Amina works at the intersection of women, technology, and policy. As the Women’s Rights & Safety Officer at TechHerNG, she leads the organisation’s efforts on technology-facilitated abuse and digital safety for young women and girls in Nigeria. For almost four years, Amina has trained thousands of women and girls on TFGBV, digital rights and safety, equipping them with the knowledge and tools to navigate digital spaces securely. She oversees and manages KURAM, TechHer’s OGBV reporting and resourcing platform, ensuring survivors can access safe, responsive, and rights-respecting reporting mechanisms.

With 34 years of Charity experience as both consultant and trustee, Alan has been working as a consultant to Refuge since 2008. Alan is a Fellow of the British Computer Society and a Charted IT Professional, with experience in GDPR, data collection and technology facilitated abuse. Alan designed the National Domestic Violence helpline and case management systems in use by Domestic Violence organisations.

Now semi-retired, Alan provides consultancy services to the Tech Support team.

Larome is the Youth Tech Abuse Lead at Refuge, where she provides specialist support as well as upskill the children’s support workers and frontline staff to ensure that children, young people, and protective parents in refuges are using technology safely and positively.
She plays a key role in developing and delivering tech empowerment workshops, offering guidance on online safety, digital resilience, and emotional well-being.

Through a series of empowerment workshops, Larome supports young people to build confidence and understanding of the online world—covering everything from managing privacy settings and recognising online abuse to understanding the impact of a digital footprint. Her work also supports parents, helping them feel more confident and equipped to guide their children through the digital landscape.

Larome brings a strong background in inclusive support for minority communities, with specialist experience in the SEN, disability, and mental health sectors. Her current practice is deeply shaped by her experience mentoring vulnerable young people, working with children with care needs, and promoting trauma-informed approaches.

With a passion for safeguarding, inclusion, and the long-term impact of trauma, Larome’s work is focused on creating safer online and digital spaces. She is committed to building a generation of tech-savvy young people who are empowered to use technology positively and safely.

Eva Blum-Dumontet is a tech and human rights policy expert specializing on the intersection of gender and technology.

She is Head of Movement Building and Policy at Chayn, an organisation providing online resources to survivors of gender-based violence. She is currently leading on the launch of a feminist AI tool, helping survivors with content takedown requests, and promoting the use of encryption as a feminist issue.

Prior to her role at Chayn, Eva held the position of Senior Policy Adviser at the Royal Society, the UK's national academy of sciences, where she worked on the role of AI in scientific research. She also spent eight years at Privacy International as a Senior Researcher and Project Manager. Notably, her work on the data-sharing practices of menstruation apps led to significant changes in privacy protections for millions of users.

Rebecca joined Secureworks in 2014, where she developed an immediate passion for cybersecurity. Rebecca quickly expanded her cyber acumen, working across a variety of roles including Business Operations and Incident Command, finally moving into her Threat Intelligence Knowledge Manager role in 2022. Rebecca is focused on the implementation of knowledge management processes and procedures for the Counter Threat Unit, the ingestion and management of threat intelligence, and its associated quality, storage and maintenance. She is also a Human Intelligence Researcher spending time on the darkweb and on underground forums, with a focus on data dumps, access brokerage and emerging threats.

Rebecca has been acknowledged in industry for her contributions, most recently winning ‘Cybersecurity Woman of the Year 2025’ at the Cybersecurity awards. She is also an active member of the cybersecurity community as a mentor, coach, public speaker, TEDx speaker and as of May 2025, author to ‘Securely Yours – An Agony Aunts Guide to Surviving Cyber’.

Ellie has been Refuge's Head of Policy and Public Affairs for the last 7 years. Prior to joining Refuge she worked in criminal justice policy. Ellie is a 2020 Clore Emerging Leaders Fellow and a 2015 Churchill Fellow.

Emma Pickering is a dedicated professional, with extensive experience in the VAWG sector. Her career at Refuge began in 2017 when she joined as a MARAC coordinator within the Warwickshire service. Emma joined the Tech Abuse team in January 2018 at the beginning of the project. Currently the Head of Tech & Economic Abuse, Emma plays a pivotal role at Refuge.

Emma's commitment to preventing technology-facilitated domestic abuse is evident in her pursuit of specialised training. She received Tech Abuse training from SafetyNet, and trained as an IRIS Advocate Educator. Her academic background, including a BA Honours degree in Working with Young People and Services from De Montfort University, and a Masters Degree in Understanding the Dynamics of Domestic and Sexual Violence from the University of Worcester, has equipped her with extensive knowledge of the complex issues surrounding domestic abuse. Emma is further exploring the subject, in ongoing PhD studies at Birmingham City University, titled "Evaluating the role of domestic homicide Technology-Facilitated Abuse and Domestic Homicide." 

As a Churchill Fellow, Emma is an advocate for survivors of technology-facilitated domestic abuse. Her expertise in the intersection of tech and economic abuse has equipped Emma in leading a team, who provide direct support to women and children facing these challenges. Emma manages external partnerships and stakeholders, collaborating closely with Refuge's policy and fundraising teams to generate income and foster growth within her team. Additionally, Emma plays a crucial role in shaping legislative asks to improve responses for survivors of technology-facilitated abuse, leading to more positive outcomes within the VAWG sector.