Vodafone Foundation technology provides a lifeline for 81,000 victims of domestic abuse

by Andrew Dunnett, Director, Vodafone Foundation

Laura constantly lived in fear of an attack by her ex-partner. She had endured years of violence alone, convinced that she was to blame for her partner’s aggression. It took one particularly violent outburst for her to finally contact the police. Soon after, she was handed a new innovation: a specially-adapted device called TecSOS, designed by the Vodafone Foundation to give people like Laura direct and fast access to the Police. She could keep the device close to her at all times, knowing that, if she found herself in a similar situation again it would be simple and discreet to activate.

This technology has transformed the lives of thousands of people like Laura in the UK, as well as in Ireland, Germany, Spain and Portugal – 81,000 in total to date. As well as having the potential to save lives, the device gives people trying to rebuild their lives following an abusive relationship a lifeline to safety and protection in their day-to-day lives.

Her Royal Highness, The Duchess of Cornwall hears how TecSOS works, with (l-r) TecSOS Deputy Project Manager Bill Tillbrook; Metropolitan Police Commissioner Cressida Dick; and Vodafone Foundation Trustee, Elizabeth Filkin.

Previous programmes used by the police gave survivors a fixed panic button in their homes, but this could make the victim feel like a prisoner in their own house. TecSOS, however, is mobile - and small enough that it can be carried in a pocket or bag.

In addition, the global tracking and location capabilities mean that, once activated, police can identify the user, track the location and deploy officers in a matter of minutes. Evaluations have shown an 11% reduction in police response times and, with 1,879 activations in the UK alone since it launched in 2011, the technology is saving lives.

It was an honour today to show Her Royal Highness, the Duchess of Cornwall the TecSOS technology and talk her through the programme with Metropolitan Police Commissioner Cressida Dick during a visit to the Metropolitan Police Base.

TecSOS was initially developed by the Vodafone Spain Foundation in collaboration with the Spanish Red Cross. The programme was then brought to the UK in 2011, where over 90% of police forces have now adopted the technology as part of their approach to tackling domestic violence.

Working with Thames Valley Partnership we are constantly evaluating and evolving the technology and the TecSOS team work with those impacted by domestic abuse to understand and adapt the service to best fit their needs. Recent technological advancements include more accurate location tracking, which can be delivered at a lower cost. This means that TecSOS can play a small but important role in helping even more survivors to rebuild their lives after an abusive relationship

Andrew Dunnett has been Director of the Vodafone Foundation since 2006. Andrew is also a Trustee of the M-Pesa Foundation (Kenya) and a Board member of the M-Health Alliance (USA). He has 15 years' experience in corporate responsibility, community investment and public affairs, including advising organisations such as, BTEC, the BBC, the Commission for Racial Equality the Sustainable Development unit at the UK Department of Trade and Industry and Thames Water.