Cheap tech becoming new weapon for abusers with GPS trackers hidden in kids' toys, clothes

Domestic violence offenders are increasingly using sophisticated technology to track down victims who have fled abusive relationships, hiding GPS trackers in children’s belongings, vehicles and other personal items and using everyday apps to monitor their whereabouts, according to frontline crisis workers. 

The technology is cheap – as little as $2.14 for four small stick-on trackers – readily available and effective. 

Advocates say perpetrators are using GPS trackers alongside phone-mirroring software, location-sharing features, spyware and linked accounts to secretly monitor victims’ movements, communications and daily lives. 

Many only realise they are being watched when an abuser turns up unexpectedly, references private conversations or reveals information they could only have obtained through digital surveillance. 

Frontline workers warn the surveillance often puts others at risk. Abusers have used the technology to locate confidential safe houses, turn up unannounced at hospital and medical appointments, and track women to the homes of friends, whānau and support workers. 

GPS trackers have been found sewn into kids' schoolbags by violent abusers trying to track down the child's other parent. Photo / File 

They say each breach can compromise carefully planned escape strategies, endanger multiple people and, in some cases, force victims to flee again. 

“It is so much more dangerous now,” one frontline worker said. 

“Men are turning up at safehouses and hospitals… a [crisis service] staffer was assaulted at the emergency department by a perpetrator. 

“These tracking devices, we can’t keep up with it fast enough. They are getting them cheap from sites like Temu and hiding them in kids’ shoes, sewing them into backpacks… we have a mechanic scanning vehicles before women go to the safehouses. 

“It’s a huge issue.” 

The worker said perpetrators mirroring victims’ devices was also an increasing problem. 

Violent domestic abusers are mirroring their partners phones so they can monitor and stalk them, frontline crisis workers say. Photo / 123rf 

Mirroring is where an offender who has access to a victim’s phone enables software or account settings that synchronise messages, emails, photos, notifications and, in some cases, location data to another device they control. 

Victims are often unaware the feature has been activated, allowing perpetrators to monitor their communications and movements remotely. 

Eclipse Family Violence Services founder Debbs Murray said the use of technology was “a massive issue”. 

“And a blimmin’ dangerous one,” she told the Herald. 

“This has been going on for a long time – it used to just be tracking devices but now there are so many ways people can be stalked, surveilled or monitored. 

“We have created a whole workshop called Technologically Facilitated Family Violence because of the enormity of the issue.” 

Murray said “anything” people use on their device with a tracking or location capacity can also be used by perpetrators. 

“For example, even cat-feeding devices – they use a camera to watch inside victims’ houses and things like Bluetooth speakers. 

“When people have intent to stalk, surveil and monitor, they will find a means to make it happen.” 

Murray said GPS tracking tags were becoming cheaper and more available on “lots and lots” of websites. 

Trackers had been found “sewn into keyrings” and toys. 

“It’s a really big issue, and it’s just getting worse and worse,” she said. 

“Technology is evolving to try and make our lives easier, but it’s a liability for victims… It’s moving faster than ever. 

“It makes it so easy to track someone. It’s actually really, really frightening. Things that people are using for good reasons can be used to cause so much harm. 

“I don’t know what the answer is.” 

Debbs Murray founded Eclipse Family Violence Services after her experiences with abuse. 

Murray urged organisations working with domestic violence victims to have their own scanning device so they can check bags, cars and clothing for hidden trackers. 

“It should be standard practice. Every organisation involved in that area should at least use it as part of their safety planning,” she said. 

“It’s really important.” 

It was also crucial to educate victims about what perpetrators might be doing and how to spot the danger signs. 

“Nothing is off limits. My motto is ‘assume some sort of stalking, surveillance or monitoring is going on until proven otherwise’,” she said. 

“Go through the victim’s phone and look at all of their apps – work out what is legitimate.” 

Murray said things such as smart home apps were being used by perpetrators to terrorise women. 

“For example, women sitting in the lounge and the curtains start opening or closing, or the lights or power are turned on and off – it’s the perpetrator’s way of saying, ‘hey, remember I’m here – I may not be in the house, but I’ve got a level of control’,” she said. 

“And things like cameras, they are everywhere. They are designed to be helpful, but they can be really harmful. 

“I have even been told about a woman who was tracked down by her perpetrator through the microchip in her cat.” 

A police spokesperson said it was “not aware, at this stage, of an increase in cheap tracking devices being used in cases of abuse”. 

Trackers have reportedly been found in all kinds of kids' toys and hidden in their clothing and shoes. Photo / 123rf 

Technology and internet watchdog Netsafe offers safety advice on its website for “tech-facilitated family violence”, which it describes as “a serious issue”. 

“Unfortunately, it is common for abusers to use phones and other technology as part of their abuse towards someone,” the organisation said. 

Netsafe said victims worried about being tracked by violent abusers should consider: 

• Does your partner, or someone you are concerned about, seem to know private details you haven’t shared with them? 
• Do they have access to your digital devices or accounts such as emails and social media? 
• Are they attempting to control or pressure you in how you use technology and social media? 
• Do they use digital means to communicate in ways that are hurtful or intimidating? 
• Have they posted offensive or embarrassing content about you online? 
• Have they provided you with digital devices or installed apps on your devices without your agreement, or by pressuring you to agree? 

Netsafe said there were a number of other warning signs that someone was a victim of tech-based abuse. 

These included: 

• Receiving emails or messages that appear to be read before you have had the chance to read them. 
• Frequent password resets that you did not initiate. 
• Messages disappearing when you haven’t deleted them. 
• Unexpected abusive emails or texts from unknown or anonymous senders. 
• Discovery of unauthorised social media accounts created in your name. 
• Your device is losing battery quicker than usual or your device is turning off and on unexpectedly. 

Netsafe said examples of abusive behaviours involving technology included sending abusive, threatening, or harassing messages through texts, emails, or social media platforms, or sending images that threaten the victim, their friends, family and pets. 

It also includes: 

• Non-consensual sharing or threatening to share intimate images or videos, also known as “image-based abuse” or “revenge porn”. 
• Monitoring your whereabouts or online activities secretly via a surveillance device or spyware. 
• Restricting or controlling your access to technology or online platforms. 
• Financial abuse such as unexpected transactions on bank statements, denied access to personal accounts, or receiving notifications about account changes you did not authorise. 
• Using technology to control or manipulate home appliances, locks and connected devices. 
• Using tracking devices in toys, cards and devices to monitor locations and activities. 
• Sending menacing messages and images that aim to cause the victim reputational harm. 
• “Doxing” by posting the victim’s personal information on social media or elsewhere online. 

FAMILY HARM 

How to get help:

If you're in danger now phone the police on 111 if you can do so safely

For more information: 

• Women's Refuge: Crisis line - 0800 REFUGE or 0800 733 843 (available 24/7)
• Shine: Helpline - 0508 744 633 (available 24/7)
• Shakti: Specialist services for African, Asian and Middle Eastern women and children. Crisis line - 0800 733 843(available 24/7)
• ECLIPSE Famly Violence Services: Support options for all primary victims and predominant aggressors regardless of gender, as well as all diversity groups and demographics.
• She Is Not Your Rehab: An anti-violence movement that exists to address and dismantle the cycles of intergenerational trauma, violence, and abuse by promoting safe relationships and providing support and resources for individuals and communities. 
   

Anna Leask is a senior journalist who covers Christchurch issues and national crime and justice. She joined the Herald in 2008 and has worked as a journalist for more than 20 years with a particular focus on family and gender-based violence, child abuse, sexual violence and homicides. She writes, hosts and produces the award-winning podcast A Moment In Crime, released monthly on nzherald.co.nz.