Engender blog
GUEST POST: Empowering women to challenge stalking through technology
![Graphic with a light green background and left-aligned quoted text in dark green which reads "Although increasingly we hear of technology being used to abuse women, technology can also be a powerful tool for victims/survivors to challenge the abuse and find justice. This was the idea behind FollowItApp, a mobile app we created [...] for women experiencing stalking in Scotland." The quote is attributed to Natalia Equihua, Scottish Women's Rights Centre. In the top right hand corner of the graphic is the Engender logo, a circle with an equals sign in the centre, in bright green.](siteimages/Blog/resized/natalia-followit-blog-square-1080x1080-400.png)
Stalking is form of violence against women that is often hidden and subtle, but is no less devastating and traumatic. This week is National Stalking Awareness Week, and Scottish Women's Rights Centre's Natalia Equihua has written a guest blog for us on the FollowIt app for women affected by stalking.
[CN: mentions of stalking, harassment]
Much like domestic abuse, throughout the pandemic we have seen an increase in stalking incidents; this is not surprising given that stalkers are often partners or ex-partners. Not only that, but according to a recent survey by the Suzy Lamplugh Trust, online/digital stalking has become more common with 75% of victims experiencing both online and offline stalking since the first lockdown.
Although increasingly we hear of technology being used to abuse women, technology can also be a powerful tool for victims/survivors to challenge the abuse and find justice. This was the idea behind FollowItApp, a mobile app we created at the Scottish Women’s Rights Centre in collaboration with media co-op for women experiencing stalking in Scotland.
To understand what led us to create this app, what makes it so unique and how it supports women in Scotland, it’s important to explore the context of stalking in our country.
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