Sir Sadiq Khan has pledged £6m to help tackle the “global emergency” of AI deepfakes and other technology-enabled violence against women and girls. At the launch of a tech abuse conference in London on Tuesday, the Mayor of London said the “rapid pace” of technology has provided new spaces and means for men to harass and control women and created an “urgent need” to respond.
Abusers are using doorbell cameras, social media, sunglasses and mobile phones as “weapons”, he said, announcing the multi-million pound fund to spearhead a new approach and provide better support for victims and survivors. The investment will be spread over the next three years, with £2m invested each year.
Speaking to The Independent, he also urged the government to “take seriously” frustrations voiced by former minister for safeguarding and violence against women and girls Jess Phillips over the slow progress on the issue. Ms Phillips resigned last week citing concerns over “incremental change”.
It comes after domestic abuse charity Refuge reported a 207 per cent increase in tech abuse referrals between 2018 and 2024, and a further 62 per cent increase between 2024 and 2025. Recent data from the National Police Chiefs' Council also shows that between August 2022 and July 2023, there were at least 123,515 Violence Against Women and Girls offences with an online or technology-enabled element.
In his keynote speech, the mayor said tech-enabled abuse is a “global emergency” that transcends borders. “The rapid pace of technology has provided new spaces and means for men to monitor, harass and control women and girls using everyday devices,” he said. “It is turning doorbell cameras, social media, sunglasses and mobile phones into weapons used by perpetrators to target, harass and abuse in the digital age.”
Sir Sadiq said the new fund will be used to support women who are victims of tech-enabled VAWG such as deepfakes, revenge porn, nudification, cyber-flashing, and medical hijacking. He added he would work with victims, survivors, and experts to determine where the new fund will be used, with a focus on better support for victims and survivors, prevention, and action against perpetrators.
