Case Study

Honey Cook, a 15-year-old from Barnsley, tragically took her own life in 2021 after sustained cyberbullying. Despite months of abusive messages, schools and authorities dismissed concerns as "just banter." Her mother Gemma now campaigns through Bee Kind for Honey, advocating for mandatory cyberbullying education and Honey's Law to criminalise persistent cyberbullying of minors.

Carla Denyer made history as the first openly bisexual woman to lead a major UK political party. Her visibility came at a cost: sustained homophobic slurs, sexist threats, and doxing attempts. Despite reporting death threats, police deemed it "low priority." Her resilience compelled Parliament to confront its hypocrisy in celebrating diversity while failing to protect diverse leaders.

Hannah Mossman Moore's brief encounter at London Fashion Week spiralled into a six-year cyberstalking nightmare. Despite 1,200 pages of evidence, police initially dismissed her case as "low risk." Her advocacy led to the introduction of the "Right to Know" law, though her stalker's delayed prosecution left permanent scars on her mental health and career.

Nina Jane Patel, a researcher and technology abuse expert, experienced virtual harassment in a VR platform within 60 seconds of entering. Her avatar was groped while assailants shouted racist and sexual slurs. Despite becoming a global voice for virtual safety, no legal justice has been achieved, highlighting critical gaps in virtual environment protections.

Maria entered a relationship where everyday digital technology was weaponised to exert covert control. Despite her technical expertise, sophisticated surveillance systems trapped her through smart vehicles, home devices, and spyware. Her journey highlights the urgent need for digital safeguards and comprehensive support for victims of technology-facilitated abuse.

Samantha Billingham is a survivor of domestic abuse who transformed her experience into a mission to support victims and raise awareness of coercive control in the digital age. Through SODA (Survivors of Domestic Abuse), she provides peer support and advocates for stronger legal protections against cyber-enabled abuse.