The University of Bath’s Institute for Digital Security and Behaviour (IDSB) presented its 10-point plan to address technology-facilitated violence against women and girls (VAWG) at a recent Westminster roundtable hosted in Parliament by Jess Asato MP.

The event brought together policymakers, technology leaders, charities and civil society organisations — including representation from the Home Office — to explore how research and cross-sector collaboration could strengthen protections through the Online Safety Act.

Led by IDSB Director Professor Laura Smith, the Bath delegation shared insights from its interdisciplinary work in behavioural science and digital security, placing the Institute at the centre of a live national policy debate.

The discussion came amid growing national scrutiny of technology-facilitated abuse, with Jess Asato MP herself having recently launched a legal challenge over non-consensual AI-generated images, in a case widely seen as a test of accountability for platform design.

Latest evidence also highlights the scale and urgency of the issue, with 77% of girls and young women aged 7 to 21 reporting harm online. The Institute argues that these harms are not isolated but patterns of behaviour shaped by platform design, algorithms and wider social factors.

IDSB’s 10-point plan sets out practical measures to address gaps in the current framework - including the lack of a clear definition of technology-facilitated VAWG, the limitations of focusing on individual pieces of illegal content rather than patterns of abuse, and the need for stronger oversight of recommendation systems and emerging technologies such as AI. It also calls for safety-by-design approaches and better technical support for survivors.

Commenting, Jess Asato MP (Labour, Lowestoft) said: “It was a privilege to chair this important roundtable in Parliament alongside the University of Bath’s Institute for Digital Security & Behaviour. The discussion brought together a powerful coalition of voices — from policymakers and law enforcement to researchers and civil society — and made clear both the scale of the challenge and the urgency of action.

“I strongly welcome the Institute’s evidence-led work and its ambitious 10-point plan, which rightly recognises that violence against women and girls online is not inevitable, but preventable through better design, regulation and accountability. Tackling this issue requires exactly the kind of joined-up, cross-sector approach reflected in the discussion we convened in Parliament.

“I look forward to continuing to work closely with the University of Bath and partners across sectors to drive forward meaningful change, so that women and girls are better protected and can participate safely and confidently in our digital world.”

Professor Laura Smith added: “In Parliament, together with Jess Asato MP, the Institute brought together parliamentarians, policymakers, law enforcement, industry and civil society to drive forward action on online safety for women and girls.

“Our core message is that technology-facilitated violence against women and girls is not an inevitable side-effect of the digital age - it is the result of choices made through design and regulation.

“By taking a more joined-up, multi-stakeholder approach, we have a real opportunity to make a material difference. The Institute is committed to working at the heart of this national challenge, bringing evidence from research to shape policy and deliver meaningful change.”

As policymakers grapple with the growing challenge of online harms, the Institute hopes to play an active role in shaping the UK’s response - bringing its research evidence into policy and driving practical interventions that improve safety and outcomes for women and girls.

The IDSB delegation in Parliament also included Deputy Director Dr Olivia Brown and researchers Dr Will Smith and Emily Johnstone, with Head of Public Affairs, Andy Dunne.