Abuse involving smartwatches and rings rising at ‘alarming’ rate, charity warns
30 January 2026
Abusers are increasingly using wearable technology like smartwatches and rings to stalk, harass, and coerce survivors.
New data released by Refuge shows a 62 per cent rise in referrals to its technology-facilitated abuse and economic empowerment team in 2025 to 829, up from 512 in 2024.
The charity said the rise is being driven by the “increasing accessibility” and “reach” of wearable technology that allows abusers to “stalk, surveil and control survivors” even from a distance.