// This article was authored by Aaron Thomas//
The discovery of vulnerabilities in Apple’s AirPlay technology—collectively referred to as “AirBorne”—has sparked significant concern. For survivors of domestic violence and the organizations that support them, these vulnerabilities present new risks that could compromise their safety and privacy.
Researchers from the cybersecurity firm Oligo recently identified the AirBorne vulnerabilities—a series of security flaws in Apple’s AirPlay technology that significantly increase the attack surface for cybercriminals. These vulnerabilities allow an attacker on the same Wi-Fi network as an AirPlay-enabled device to execute arbitrary code, effectively taking control of the device without the owner’s knowledge.
The Technical Details: How AirBorne Compromises Security
Oligo researchers discovered the AirBorne vulnerabilities while investigating issues related to unauthorized access to internal services on a target’s local network. During this research, they found that the AirPlay protocol could be exploited, leading to the identification of this critical vulnerability. While Apple has collaborated with Oligo to patch its own devices, the real challenge lies with third-party manufacturers who may not prioritize or provide timely updates.
Oligo estimates that tens of millions of third-party AirPlay-enabled devices remain vulnerable, with many potentially never receiving necessary security updates. This situation creates a significant risk for users, particularly those who may not be aware of the need to regularly update their devices or how to do so.
Potential Attack Scenarios
Exploitation could occur in various scenarios, including when an attacker gains access to a home Wi-Fi network through weak security settings or connects to the same public Wi-Fi as the targeted device, such as in cafes, airports, or shared accommodations. Once connected, attackers could use the AirBorne vulnerability to gain unauthorized control over the device, manipulate its functions, or gather sensitive data.
Impact on Domestic Violence Survivors
For survivors of domestic abuse, these vulnerabilities pose a particularly grave risk. Many individuals in abusive situations rely on technology to communicate with support networks, friends, or family. If their devices are compromised, abusers could potentially monitor communications, track movements, or even eavesdrop on conversations, all without the survivor’s knowledge.
Support organizations like Operation Safe Escape must also be vigilant. As these organizations increasingly use technology to connect with clients, the risk of exposure to cyber threats becomes more pronounced. Training staff to recognize potential vulnerabilities and guiding clients on device security can make a critical difference in maintaining safety.
Taking Proactive Security Measures
To mitigate the risks associated with the AirBorne vulnerabilities, it is vital for survivors and the organizations that support them to adopt proactive cybersecurity practices:
Keep Devices Updated: Ensure all AirPlay-enabled devices, including smart speakers, TVs, iPhones, Macs, and iPads, are updated with the latest firmware and security patches. Regular updates are crucial for closing security gaps that hackers may exploit.
Secure Your Network: Implement strong, unique passwords for all Wi-Fi networks, and ensure that encryption settings are enabled to safeguard data.
Be Cautious with Public Wi-Fi: Whenever possible, avoid using public Wi-Fi for sensitive activities, as these networks often lack adequate security. If public Wi-Fi is unavoidable, utilize a reputable virtual private network (VPN) to secure the connection.
Monitor Connected Devices: Regularly review your network to identify and remove unfamiliar or unused devices. This practice helps minimize the number of potential entry points for hackers.
Disable AirPlay When Not Needed: Consider turning off AirPlay on devices when it is not actively being used. Setting up guest networks for visitors can also help protect your primary network from unauthorized access.
Educate and Train: Support organizations should train their staff and clients about the risks associated with smart devices. Providing resources and guidance on securing devices can empower survivors to take control of their digital safety.
A Call for Greater Awareness
The AirBorne vulnerabilities serve as a stark reminder of how technology can intersect with personal safety, particularly for survivors of domestic abuse. As smart devices become more integral to daily life, understanding and mitigating cybersecurity risks is essential to protecting vulnerable individuals. By taking proactive steps to secure AirPlay-enabled devices and fostering awareness among support organizations, survivors can better safeguard their digital privacy and personal safety.
About Operation Safe Escape
Operation Safe Escape is dedicated to providing resources, education, and support for survivors of domestic violence, human trafficking, and stalking. The organization works to enhance the safety and privacy of at-risk individuals through cybersecurity training, advocacy, and community outreach. Operation Safe Escape collaborates with technology experts to ensure survivors and support networks have the tools and knowledge to protect themselves in the digital age. To learn more or get involved, visit https://safeescape.org.
With so much rapidly growing technology in our daily lives, people are becoming more and more reliant on their smartphones, whether it is to take pictures of their families, send text messages to their friends, or use it as a GPS to find a nearby restaurant. Our smartphones are the gateway to our personal lives, and it is extremely important for our devices to be safe against unnecessary intrusion by threat actors. That is precisely why smartphone companies have given the ability to use a passcode or password to log into the device. This gives the user extra protection with full disk encryption enabled with a passcode. We are always told not to hand over our passcodes or passwords to anyone, but the one exception that is so common is between couples. Both partners may want to share their passwords to give each other trust and transparency. In fact, a survey in 2023 showed that password sharing between couples is very common, with 81% of Americans saying that they have shared a password with their loved ones (ExpressVPN, 2023). While this is not a bad thing altogether, it could lead to severe consequences if the relationship turns out bad, leading to a breakup. Even if there were no breakups, some partners might become overly obsessive about whether or not their own partner is cheating on them. Thisis often seen in abusive relationships, especially towards women. The abuser may resort to adapting and abusing spying software on their partner’s device. This type of software is often referred to as stalkerware, which is a type of spyware that allows the abuser to see everything their victim is doing, from tracking their victims’ locations and allowing abusers to read their encrypted text messages, monitor phone calls, see photos, videos, their web history, and much more. It is being used all over the world to intimidate, harass, and harm victims and it is a favorite tool for stalkers and abusive spouses or ex-partners (Electronic Frontier Foundation, 2019). Although stalkerware companies such as mSpy and CocoSpy claim the use of their software is for parents to monitor children’s devices, this article argues that stalkerware helps domestic abusers spy on women without their permission. By confronting stalkerware, we can work towards a safer digital environment for all women and respect for their privacy in an increasingly interconnected world.
Your partner knows where you were last night even though you did not tell them? Were there specific conversations that you’ve had with friends or family, and does your partner know exactly what was said? How is that possible? It could be Stalkerware (Coalition Against Stalkerware, 2020).
Stalkerware, also known as Spouseware, is commercially available software used to spy on a victim’s device without their knowledge or consent. Stalkerware, like any type of spyware, is extremely invasive when deployed against a victim of domestic abuse. It can be deployed on both mobile operating systems like iOS and Android. Stalkerware can also be deployed on MacOS and Windows if the abuser knows the password or passcode to get into the device. Apple’s strict security policy is very effective at keeping iOS users safe. iOS simply does not let apps get deep enough into the system software to be able to secretly monitor what a person is doing to a compromised phone (Nield, 2020). Google will also remove apps from the Play Store if it finds evidence of stalkerware or spyware type of behavior. Google Play Protect can block stalkerware installation and remove installed stalkerware, but it may not protect against the newest versions of stalkerware (Parsons et[.]al, 2019). While it may be harder to deploy stalkerware on iOS, it is still possible with a jailbreak done to the device. This makes the device completely vulnerable, with all of its security stripped away. Women who are under this type of surveillance by their partners would often censor their own thoughts and would not be themselves online. Monitoring someone through their phone or computer is a form of violence and causes considerable fear for victims (Coalition Against Stalkerware, 2021). The scary part of having commercially available stalkerware is that the abuser does not need any technical expertise to deploy it on their victim. As Eva Galperin, the Electronic Frontier Foundation’s Director of cybersecurity, claims:
The stalker doesn’t have to be a skilled hacker; they just need easily accessible consumer spyware and an opportunity to install it on their target’s device. The people who end up with this software on their phones can become victims of physical abuse and physical stalking. They get beaten. They can be killed. Their children can be kidnapped. It’s the small end of a very large, terrifying wedge (Greenberg, 2019).
All abusers need to do is know their victim’s passcode or password to install the stalkerware on their device. Abusers can install stalkerware in a matter of seconds to minutes when a victim does not have their device. This sets a dangerous precedent for women who are in an abusive relationship and who are attempting to talk privately to family members or friends to safely escape the relationship. If stalkerware were installed on the victim’s device and the abuser saw them sending messages to family about attempting to leave the relationship, the abuser might escalate their abusive tactics leading to severe consequences. Abusers do not even need to use stalkerware apps to find and track their partners. Instead, abusers attempt to use apps that collect location data and ping it in real time, such as Life360 or Apple’s Find My Friends. Abusers will also attempt to set up profiles or Mobile Device Management on the victim’s phones to get copies of their text messages and call records. Victim’s emails may be sent to a forwarding address so that the abuser always gets a copy of what emails the victim receives. Abusers would even try to install stalkerware on their children’s devices in order to spy on what their spouse is doing. For example, Ali Nassar Abulaban, a popular TikToker, murdered his wife and a man after he listened to them through an app he had installed on his daughter’s iPad that allowed Abulanban to wiretap the nearby conversation (Cox, 2021).
This shows the real-world threat of stalkerware, software that is installed on victim devices to listen, track, or surveil them and others. But it also highlights the risk, more specifically of family monitoring apps, software that may be marketed more for keeping tabs on children but which can play a more sinister role in domestic violence.
This leaves a woman in this digital prison forever under the watch of the abuser. Women would often bring their phones to the police if they fear it has stalkerware, but there is no guarantee officers will be able to help. Many police departments lack the training and tech resources needed to find and detect stalkerware. (Hautala, 2020). It is difficult for investigators to find the apps on phones because it may require access to expensive software. The majority of domestic violence law enforcement officers may not even know what stalkerware is.
When it comes to situations of domestic abuse, the abuser is often blamed first on the victim’s digital harassment, but the tech company behind the product is equally as guilty as the abuser. The stalkerware provided to the abuser often markets itself as an easy way to spy on their partners or even a way for parents to monitor their children (Electronic Frontier Foundation, 2021). These stalkerware companies even compare their own software to those of their competitors to get more users. This sick form of advertising gives abusers options to choose regarding what stalkerware suits their needs the best. Stalkerware companies even like to set up YouTube tutorial videos on how to deploy their stalkerware on a victim’s device. mSpy, a very popular type of stalkerware in the United States, markets itself as a way for parents to monitor children. mSpy, like most stalkerware, collects keystrokes and location data in real time, listens to phone calls, reads text messages, and spies on social media activity. mSpy even compares itself to its other popular competitor, Cocospy. As mSpy says in their FAQ:
Cocospy and mSpy are both mobile monitoring apps with similar features like Call Monitoring, real time location, and tracking Website history. mSpy provides features such as Keywords Alert, which means if the user enters ‘dangerous’ words, you’ll get alerted. Additionally, mSpy includes support for different types of encrypted messaging apps such as Line, Telegram, Skype, Facebook Messenger, and even Tinder, unlike the competitor, Cocospy. The best type of monitoring app for you will depend on your specific needs (mSpy). Stalkerware companies like mSpy even buy ads on social media platforms or just showcase their software on their website to abusers to catch their cheating partner. The companies attempt to appeal to the abuser to use their spyware by using targeted advertising.
Ad from mSpy on X: Image from Certo
Xnspy Website: Image from TechCrunch
This move by tech companies like Xnspy and mSpy makes the job of the abuser much easier and more user-friendly. What abusers do not realize when deploying stalkerware on their victims is that they are not the only ones seeing this personal and sensitive data. The majority of these stalkerware companies have easy access to the same data the abuser is seeing on their end. This leaves the victim being spied on by both the abuser and the stalkerware company collecting their sensitive data. On top of all of this, stalkerware companies do not do a good job of protecting the data they have collected, and it often gets leaked. According to TechCrunch, there have been at least 21 stalkerware companies since 2017 that are known to have been hacked, have leaked customer and victims’ data online, and four stalkerware companies were hacked multiple times (Bicchieral, 2024). Stalkerware companies also have a horrible security response to patching critical vulnerabilities. Some of these companies even ignore it when white hat hackers and security researchers express major concern about the exploit. This leads to the company’s data being breached by threat actors, leaving the women’s own private data to be completely compromised and stolen. By utilizing stalkerware, the abuser now puts the victim in more danger of data breaches and having their information in the hands of rogue employees and threat actors. Domestic violence victims’ personal text messages, emails, location data, andsocial media activities are now publicly viewable by anyone.
While it may seem that a victim is defenseless against surveillance when stalkerware is installed on their device, they can take steps to prevent and remove it by installing anti-virus software and changing their device passwords. Although stalkerware tries to hide itself on the victim’s device, the spyware could give itself away with a few symptoms. If women find that their phone’s battery is draining rapidly and has massive data usage, it could be a sign that stalkerware exists on their devices. Another sign could be constant apps crashing and the phone becoming very hot. Women can also restart their phones, which would eliminate nonpersistent stalkerware from their devices. This will not work with all types of stalkerware, but it could temporarily disable the more advanced spyware. iPhones and iPads running iOS 18 or above perform an automatic restart when the phone is locked for more than three days. After an iPhone is rebooted, it goes into an “at rest” state, also known as Before First Unlock mode, which no longer stores encryption keys in memory. This makes the disk fully encrypted, making it much more resistant to hacking attempts (Gatlan, 2024). For iOS 16 and above, Apple introduced the Safety Check feature to help individuals facing domestic abuse have control over their personal information and privacy. Safety Check allows users to review and reset permissions for those who have access to their location data, passwords, messages, and other apps. When Safety Check is enabled, iCloud access is removed from every device except your handset, privacy permissions are reset, and both FaceTime and messaging services are limited to just one device connected to an iCloud account (Osborne, 2022). This is an excellent move by Apple to help increase users’ security from both malware, such as stalkerware, and physical access.
Women can also perform a factory reset on their device to help remove more persistent stalkerware, but everything on the device will be lost. If victims use anti-virus software, the stalkerware can be detected and removed from the device. This can eliminate the invasive intrusion by the stalkerware, which relays all the victim’s personal information to the abuser. While it is good that most anti-virus software can detect and remove stalkerware, most of these stalkerware programs often alert the abuser that the spyware has been removed from their target’s device. This may cause an increase in abuse. That is why anti-virus companies such as Kaspersky have warned about removing stalkerware without having a safe plan in place. As Kaspersky states:
Kaspersky has now updated its Privacy Alert to victims if stalkerware is found on their devices so that they will now be notified if an abuser will notice if the software is removed. If the stalkerware is deleted, it erases proof that stalkerware has been installed, and if an abuser loses control over a device, the situation might escalate badly for the victim (Kaspersky, 2023).
This is extremely important to consider when attempting to prove the victim has been under such surveillance, whether it be by law enforcement or a trusted family member. Kaspersky has also released a tool called “TinyCheck” that scans a victim’s device’s outgoing traffic by using a Wi-Fi connection, and it looks for any signs of stalkerware. The device is configured to mediate between the router and the connected Wi-Fi router gadget. This enables TinyCheck to capture network traffic and instantly analyze it. If your smartphone sends a lot of data to known stalker or spyware servers, TinyCheck will detect it (Coalition Against Stalkerware, 2022). It doesn’t require installation on a user’s device because it works separately, such as on a Raspberry Pi, to avoid being detected by a stalker (Kaspersky, 2022). This is a great tool to detect and scan for signs of stalkerware present on a device without removing the stalkerware which notifies the abuser. This report can be brought as evidence if the victim wants to bring charges against the abuser. When determining women’s safety level, it is important to remember that everything the victim does on their compromised device can be recorded and watched by an abusive partner (Ruiz, 2019). Women must also change their passwords to their devices and enable two-factor authentication when possible, which would lock out their abuser from getting in. If the device is too compromised to retrieve, women must try to replace their phone with a new phone if possible. Web browsers, such as Brave browser, allow for an “Off The Record” to help people who need to hide their browsing behavior from others, such as an abuser who may have access to their computer or phone. This move by Brave allows victims to browse the web for resources and get help in domestic abuse situations.
Brave Browser’s attention to detail with OTR Mode—users can more easily choose which websites are recorded in their browsing history—is an important privacy innovation that can protect users in ‘attacker you know’ situations or anyone who wants more control over what their Browser remembers and what it doesn’t. This feature empowers people who browse the web—all of us—and gives us more agency over content consumption (Brave, 2023).
Stalkerware still represents a significant threat to women’s privacy and safety, as it enables invasive surveillance and control by abusers. The rapid increase of using this malicious software highlights the urgent need for increased awareness, education, and legal protections to safeguard personal privacy. Stalkerware should be illegal for spying on victims, and abusers should be charged under the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act for installing malicious software on someone’s device without permission. The Computer Fraud and Abuse Act of 1986 prohibits accessing a protected computer or device without authorization. Stalkerware is typically installed on a target’s device without their knowledge or consent, which constitutes unauthorized access. Additionally, the use of stalkerware can violate federal wiretapping laws and state recording laws such as the Electronic Communications Privacy Act. In New York, Jackie’s Law makes stalking by GPS illegal. Jackie’s Law updates New York State’s stalking law to allow law enforcement to pursue criminal charges against individuals who use GPS or other electronic tracking devices to stalk their victims, even if the victim does not press charges (Kennedy, 2014). This legislation closes a loophole in the law, enabling authorities to take action against abusers who use stalkerware or similar technology to track and intimidate their victims. In 2022, the Safe Connections Act was signed into law, which makes it easier for survivors of domestic violence to separate their phone line from a family plan while keeping their own phone number and requires the FCC to create safeguards to protect the privacy of the victims seeking this protection (McKinney, 2022). The Federal Trade Commission has even banned several stalkerware companies like Support King and SpyFone from operating in the United States due to the app secretly “harvested and shared data on people’s physical movements, phone use and online activities through a hidden device hack” (Federal Trade Commission, 2021).
The law must keep up in holding stalkerware companies and abusers accountable for using stalkerware. Women must be empowered with the knowledge and tools to recognize and fight stalkerware, such as using strong passwords, anti-virus software, and more. As technology continues to evolve, it is important that society collectively addresses the challenges posed by stalkerware. Together as a society, we can spread awareness and put an end to stalkerware prying on women’s private lives once and for all.
You are never alone in this fight. You can always get help.
Parsons, C., Molnar, A., Dalek, J., Knockel, J., Kenyon, M., Haselton, B., Khoo, C., & Deibert, R. (2019, June 12). The predator in your pocket: A multidisciplinary assessment of the stalkerware application industry. The Citizen Lab. https://citizenlab.ca/docs/stalkerware-holistic.pdf
Divorce and Abuse in the U.S.: Key Statistics and Trends
National Statistics on Abuse-Related Divorce
Recent research and surveys consistently show that a significant share of U.S. divorces involve domestic abuse (physical, emotional, or psychological) as a contributing factor. Key findings include:
Range of estimates: The exact percentage varies by study methodology. An in-depth 2013 academic study (tracking couples over 14 years) found that 23.5% of participants identified domestic violence as a major contributor to their divorce ( Reasons for Divorce and Recollections of Premarital Intervention: Implications for Improving Relationship Education – PMC ). An earlier poll in 2011 reported even higher numbers: about 36% of Americans (and 48% of women) who divorced said domestic abuse – including physical or verbal abuse – was the primary reason they ended their marriage (Abuse is the most common reason for divorce, survey reports | Hill Macdonald, LLC). Despite differing figures, these studies all indicate that abusive treatment is a factor in a substantial minority of divorces across the country.
Detailed state-by-state data on divorce causes are limited because many divorces are filed under general “irreconcilable differences.” However, available evidence suggests some regional patterns and noteworthy state data:
Legal grounds vs. no-fault: In states where fault-based grounds are recorded, we see evidence of abuse being cited. For instance, Mississippi changed its law in 2017 to make domestic abuse easier to cite in a fault divorce. In the following year, 608 out of 12,918 divorce complaints (about 5%) in Mississippi explicitly cited domestic abuse as the ground for divorce (One year later, new divorce law helps more than 600 abuse survivors find a way out – Mississippi Today) (One year later, new divorce law helps more than 600 abuse survivors find a way out – Mississippi Today). This represented a significant share of that state’s contested (fault-based) divorces. Other states that still allow fault grounds (like “cruelty” or “inhumane treatment”) likely have a portion of cases filed due to abuse, though comprehensive statistics are not published regularly.
Domestic violence prevalence by state: Rates of domestic violence (regardless of divorce) vary widely by state, which in turn influences divorce trends. Generally, states in the South and West report higher lifetime domestic abuse prevalence. Oklahoma has the highest rate in the nation – about 49.1% of women and 40.7% of men there have experienced intimate partner violence in their lifetime (In Which State Is Domestic Violence Most Common?) (Domestic Violence Statistics: A Comprehensive Investigation). Other states with elevated abuse rates include Kentucky (~45% of women) and Nevada, Alaska, and Arizona (around 42–44% of women) (In Which State Is Domestic Violence Most Common?) (Domestic Violence Statistics: A Comprehensive Investigation). By contrast, some states in the Northeast/Midwest report lower (though still significant) rates – for example, South Dakota (~28% of women) and North Dakota (~30%) have the lowest female victimization rates (Domestic Violence Statistics: A Comprehensive Investigation). These patterns suggest that in regions with more widespread domestic violence, a higher fraction of divorces may involve abuse. Indeed, states with historically high divorce rates (e.g., Arkansas, Oklahoma) also tend to have high domestic violence rates, indicating a potential regional correlation.
Regional insights: Because formal “reasons for divorce” data by state are scarce, researchers sometimes use proxies. One approach is looking at the proportion of “serious” divorce reasons (like abuse, infidelity, addiction) across different demographics. Nationally, about 42–50% of divorces involve at least one of the grave issues such as adultery, domestic violence, or chronic emotional abuse (What is a Life-Saving Divorce? | Life-Saving Divorce) (What is a Life-Saving Divorce? | Life-Saving Divorce). There is anecdotal evidence that in more conservative regions or where no-fault divorce has been restricted, some victims remained in marriages longer, potentially underreporting abuse-related divorces (3 Kinds of Divorce Statistics You Can Learn From) (What is a Life-Saving Divorce? | Life-Saving Divorce). Overall, no region is immune – even states with lower overall domestic violence incidence still see substantial numbers of divorces due to abuse each year. The difference is mainly in scale: in some Southern and Western states, abuse might be a cited factor in a larger percentage of breakups, whereas in other states, it may be slightly less common.
(Note: The variability by state is influenced by both cultural factors (prevalence of domestic violence, attitudes toward divorce) and legal factors (ease of obtaining divorce for abuse). Because most states don’t track the “cause of divorce” in statistics, regional insights are drawn from surveys, academic research, and specific state reports.)*
Breakdown by Type of Abuse Cited in Divorces
“Abuse” in the context of divorce can encompass physical violence, emotional/psychological abuse, and sometimes sexual or financial abuse. These often overlap, but divorce research and laws typically group them under domestic violence or cruelty. Here’s what we know about the types of abuse leading to divorce:
Emotional/Psychological abuse: Non-physical abuse can be equally damaging and is another major factor in divorces. Emotional or psychological abuse refers to patterns of verbal attacks, manipulation, intimidation, humiliation, or controlling behavior that erode a spouse’s mental well-being. Many victims cite this kind of abuse – often called “mental cruelty” in legal terms – as a primary reason for divorce, even when physical violence is absent. In the 2011 Divorce360/GfK Roper survey, “domestic abuse” included verbal/emotional abuse, and nearly one-third of respondents (including almost half of women) attributed their divorce to such abuse (Abuse is the most common reason for divorce, survey reports | Hill Macdonald, LLC). Family therapists note that emotional abuse often goes hand-in-hand with physical violence, but it can also be the sole form of abuse in a marriage. Chronic emotional abuse alone was listed among the top “serious” reasons for divorce in about 1 out of 6 cases in one study (grouped with other severe issues) (What is a Life-Saving Divorce? | Life-Saving Divorce) (What is a Life-Saving Divorce? | Life-Saving Divorce). Examples include relentless belittling, isolation, extreme controlling behavior, and threats — spouses in these situations often eventually seek divorce for self-preservation.
Other forms of abuse: Some divorces involve specific abuse dynamics like sexual abuse or financial abuse. These are less commonly tallied separately but fall under the umbrella of domestic violence. Sexual abuse (any non-consensual sexual contact or coercion by a spouse) is cited in some divorce cases, sometimes alongside physical battering (Abuse is the most common reason for divorce, survey reports | Hill Macdonald, LLC). Financial abuse – where one partner heavily controls or withholds money to exert power – can contribute to the decision to divorce as well, though it might not appear as a named legal ground. While statistics by subtype are scarce, domestic violence advocates stress that abuse in any form (physical, emotional, sexual, etc.) creates a toxic and unsafe marriage. In practice, if a spouse is enduring financial control, intimidation, or sexual coercion, those behaviors usually coexist with emotional degradation or physical threats, forming a pattern of domestic abuse that leads to divorce (Abuse is the most common reason for divorce, survey reports | Hill Macdonald, LLC).
This data is based on a synthesis of multiple studies and surveys rather than a single report. Here’s a list of the types of sources that were incorporated into that synthesis:
National Surveys on Divorce and Domestic Violence:
Surveys such as the Divorce360/GfK Roper survey have historically collected data on why individuals cite abuse or domestic violence as a reason for divorce.
Additional surveys and polls that assess the “final straw” or primary reasons for divorce often include questions about domestic abuse.
Academic Studies:
Research published in academic journals like the Journal of Family Psychology (for example, studies by researchers such as Scott and colleagues) has examined the long-term effects of domestic violence on marital dissolution and the prevalence of abuse-related divorces.
Longitudinal studies tracking couples over multiple years have provided estimates of the percentage of divorces influenced by domestic violence or abuse.
Government and Public Health Data:
Reports from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the National Center for Health Statistics offer broader data on domestic violence prevalence, which is used as a proxy when discussing its impact on divorce.
Some state-level reports or court data (e.g., data from states like Mississippi that record fault-based divorce reasons) give insight into how often abuse is explicitly cited as the cause.
Domestic Violence and Advocacy Organizations:
Organizations such as the National Domestic Violence Hotline and the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence provide statistics and research findings regarding domestic violence and its broader societal impact, including its role in divorce.
State-Specific Data:
In a few cases, states that maintain records on fault-based divorces or have made legislative changes to better document abuse as a cause for divorce (e.g., Mississippi) have published data that helps break down regional trends.
Because much of the data comes from aggregated reports and survey results—and because many divorce filings are processed under no-fault laws without an official “cause” recorded—the exact percentages can vary between sources and methodologies.
The Urgent Need for Survivor Protections in HB 315
As an organization dedicated to the safety and empowerment of survivors of intimate partner violence and human trafficking, Operation Safe Escape strongly urges the Tennessee legislature to reconsider the dangerous implications of HB 315, the Tennessee Covenant Marriage Act. While the bill’s stated intent may be to reinforce the institution of marriage, its provisions create serious and life-threatening risks for survivors of domestic abuse.
Domestic violence is not limited to physical or sexual abuse—it encompasses a wide range of coercive tactics, including psychological manipulation, financial control, and emotional abuse. HB 315, as currently written, fails to recognize these realities and instead imposes severe restrictions on divorce, mandates counseling even in abusive situations, and lacks critical safeguards to prevent survivors from being coerced into restrictive marital agreements. Without significant revisions, this bill will effectively trap survivors in dangerous relationships, deepen their dependence on abusers, and increase the risk of serious harm or even death.
To ensure that HB 315 does not become a tool for abusers, we urge lawmakers to incorporate the following critical protections into the bill. These revisions will help mitigate the risk of survivors being forced into or remaining in abusive marriages without viable options for escape.
1. Expand the Definition of Abuse in the Bill
Current Concern: HB 315 narrowly defines abuse as only physical or sexual violence, ignoring psychological, emotional, financial, and coercive control tactics.
Suggested Action: The bill should be amended to recognize a broader definition of abuse, including coercive control, financial abuse, and emotional abuse, in alignment with modern domestic violence laws and research.
2. Explicitly Prohibit Mandated Counseling in Abuse Cases
Current Concern: Joint counseling is often weaponized by abusers and can further endanger survivors.
Suggested Action: The bill should include an explicit exemption for survivors of domestic abuse, ensuring that they are not forced into counseling with their abuser.
3. Ensure Survivors Can Exit Covenant Marriages Without Excessive Legal Barriers
Current Concern: The bill’s restrictive divorce provisions could trap survivors in abusive marriages.
Suggested Action: Survivors of any form of abuse, including coercive control, stalking, and financial manipulation, should have the right to dissolve the marriage without additional hurdles, such as waiting periods or court-ordered counseling.
4. Strengthen Protections Against Coerced Entry Into Covenant Marriages
Current Concern: Abusers often control financial and legal decisions, coercing survivors into restrictive agreements.
Suggested Action: Require independent, informed consent measures before entering a covenant marriage, including:
A mandatory screening process to assess coercion.
Separate legal counsel (paid for by the state if necessary) to ensure both parties are making an informed decision.
An opt-out period (e.g., 30 days) where one party can void the agreement without the other’s consent.
5. Include Economic Protections for Survivors
Current Concern: Restricting divorce may deepen financial abuse, leaving survivors trapped.
Suggested Action: Include emergency financial relief options for survivors seeking divorce, such as:
Waived court fees for survivors filing for divorce.
Temporary financial assistance programs.
Legal aid access to help survivors navigate the system.
6. Add Protections for Survivors Seeking Restraining Orders
Current Concern: Abusers may use the restrictive marriage framework to challenge or delay restraining orders.
Suggested Action: Ensure that protective orders supersede any covenant marriage restrictions, allowing survivors to legally separate and receive necessary protection immediately.
Protecting Survivors and Strengthening Justice
Any legislation concerning marriage and divorce must prioritize the safety and autonomy of all individuals, especially those at risk of domestic violence. Without the proposed amendments, HB 315 will do more harm than good, creating legal barriers that will disproportionately impact survivors—individuals who already face enormous hurdles when trying to leave an abusive relationship.
Tennessee has the opportunity to lead with compassion and justice, ensuring that no survivor is trapped in a legally sanctioned cycle of abuse. We urge lawmakers to revise HB 315 to reflect modern understandings of domestic violence, acknowledge the risks of coercion, and provide survivors with the legal pathways necessary to secure their safety and independence.
Domestic violence should never be excused, minimized, or legislated into permanence. We stand ready to assist in shaping policies that truly protect survivors and would welcome the opportunity to discuss these concerns further. Thank you for your time and commitment to ensuring that Tennessee remains a state that prioritizes the safety and well-being of its most vulnerable residents.
Legislation should protect and empower survivors of domestic violence, not trap them in dangerous situations. Unfortunately, HB 315 – The Tennessee Covenant Marriage Act does just that. This bill, under the guise of strengthening marriage, imposes severe restrictions on divorce and mandates counseling, even for survivors of abuse—potentially forcing them into harmful interactions with their abusers.
Operation Safe Escape has formally urged the Tennessee House Children & Families Subcommittee to reject HB 315, highlighting how its provisions fail to account for coercion, financial abuse, and psychological control, which are common tactics used by abusers. The bill limits the definition of abuse to only physical and sexual violence, ignoring the broader reality of domestic abuse. Moreover, its restrictive divorce requirements would make it nearly impossible for many survivors to legally escape.
Survivors of intimate partner violence already face overwhelming barriers when trying to leave an abusive relationship. Adding more legal roadblocks, as HB 315 does, increases their risk of further harm, prolonged economic dependence, and even fatal violence. Restricting divorce and failing to recognize the complexities of abuse endangers lives.
We are calling on Tennessee legislators to reject HB 315 in its current form and instead focus on policies that provide real protection and pathways to safety for survivors. Lawmakers must ensure that any marriage-related legislation considers the realities of domestic violence, coercion, and financial control—not just physical harm.
To read our full letter to legislators, including specific concerns and recommendations, continue below. Survivors deserve safety, not more barriers.
We helped 100s of people escape abuse and trafficking this year. Now we need your help to reach more.
As the year comes to a close and the holiday season is upon us, I reflect on the importance of community, compassion, and hope. For many survivors of domestic violence, human trafficking, and child exploitation, this season can be challenging. Your support ensures they do not face it alone.
This year, because of your generosity, we were able to:
– Help 300 survivors of domestic violence (and their pets and children!) get to a safe place and enjoy the holidays free from fear
– Launch a new program to help prosecute child sexual abuse material (CSAM) distributors
– Support 60 unique partners and allies, including public safety, social workers, shelter/safe house staff, and more
Your kindness makes a profound difference in the lives of those we serve. Together, we create a world where safety, dignity, and care are within reach for everyone.
As we celebrate the spirit of giving this season, we invite you to continue making an impact. A year-end gift can help more people find the support they need to rebuild their lives.
Make a year-end gift now: https://safeescape.org/help/donate (and automatically check if your workplace is a part of our donation-matching program!).
Thank you for standing with us in this vital mission. I want to wish you and your loved ones a holiday filled with peace, joy, and love.
Warm regards,
Chris Cox
Director
Operation Safe Escape
P.S. Donations made by December 31 are tax-deductible for this year. Your support today changes lives tomorrow!
On January 8th, Julie McMahon’s and Din Thomas’ Ride For Awareness Event will be supporting Operation: Safe Escape! Every year, these to amazing people do a bike ride across Florida for charity. 2022’s January Ride for Awareness will be for OSE! The two-day ride, currently planned to start on January 8th, will take Julie & Din across the state, from Titusville to Clearwater. Operation: Safe Escape will be giving away prizes and swag, and sponsorships are now available and OSE will also have swag available at our upcoming swag store in December!
As always, your generous donations make a huge impact on survivors and their families.
Additionally, if you or someone you know may be interested in becoming a sponsor for this event, we would LOVE to feature you. There are Silver, Gold, and Platinum donation levels for our sponsors, at $100, $250, and $500 levels. If you’re interested in helping sponsor this event, please reach out to Tony Hunt at [email protected] and he will supply more information for Sponsorship.
Sometimes, around this time of year, I think of Jane and her children. Jane isn’t her real name, but her story’s real and she’s allowed me to share it.
It seemed to Jane like everyone around her would get excited about the holidays and look forward to the presents, family feasts, and togetherness. But Jane’s household was one of the 10 million in the US alone impacted by domestic violence. Instead of waking up excited to see what was under the Christmas tree, Jane’s children knew to be quiet so no one got hurt. It was no way for Jane or her children to live.
By the time I met her, she had already tried to escape her abusive relationship three other times. But each of those times she either got caught while planning or found after she left. She didn’t know where else to turn. When she came to Operation Safe Escape for help, she was terrified that if she were caught again, it would be disastrous. And she might have been right.
I’m happy to say she escaped with her children and even their pets. She was finally free to start a new life, finally feeling safe. But the story doesn’t end there. Christmas the next year, Jane sent us a message. It was untraceable and private, just like we taught her, and it was saying how it felt to finally have a Christmas that she could enjoy with her children. For the first time, she could wake up with her children and make all the noise they wanted. They could celebrate and play, and no one was afraid. I’m not going to lie, I cried when I read that message.
Jane and her children are just one of the over 3,000 people or families that we’ve been able to work with. It’s what we do- we work with survivors or domestic violence, stalking, harassment, and other forms of abuse to help them escape and stay safe after they do. Our team of safety and security experts work to help give the advantage back to the survivors, helping them make their escape plan, think of the countless things they need to do to avoid getting caught before they can leave, make it out safely, and navigate all the various things they need to do to in order to stay safe and move forward. We also work with domestic violence shelters, safe houses, social workers, and other allies to help them protect themselves and their clients. In all, we provide the equivalent of over $25,000 in assistance and services to each client, all without charging a dime.
But we need help to keep doing it. The computer forensics, advanced security tools, burner phones, secure communications devices, ride credits, and so much more are only available to us because of generous donations and gifts from people like you. Last year, we supplied over 2 million dollars in security services free to survivors and support organizations, and we anticipate an even greater need through the end of this year and into the next. We’re working hard to save lives and help real people escape abuse, even when they have nowhere else to turn.
For this Giving Tuesday, please consider donating to Operation Safe Escape. Every dollar goes directly towards client support and program costs, so you can make a difference today.
Every year, Julie McMahon and Din Thomas do a bike ride across Florida for charity. 2022’s January Ride for Awareness will be for Operation: Safe Escape!
The two-day ride, currently planned to start on January 8th, will take Julie & Din across the state, from Titusville to Clearwater. Operation: Safe Escape will be giving away prizes and swag, and sponsorships will be available first week of December (next week!) OSE will also have swag available at our upcoming swag store in December!
With so much rapidly growing technology in our daily lives, people are becoming 
Legislation should protect and empower survivors of domestic violence, not trap them in dangerous situations. Unfortunately, HB 315 – The Tennessee Covenant Marriage Act does just that. This bill, under the guise of strengthening marriage, imposes severe restrictions on divorce and mandates counseling, even for survivors of abuse—potentially forcing them into harmful interactions with their abusers.
Hello everyone,
On January 8th, Julie McMahon’s and Din Thomas’ Ride For Awareness Event will be supporting Operation: Safe Escape! Every year, these to amazing people do a bike ride across Florida for charity. 2022’s January Ride for Awareness will be for OSE! The two-day ride, currently planned to start on January 8th, will take Julie & Din across the state, from Titusville to Clearwater. Operation: Safe Escape will be giving away prizes and swag, and sponsorships are now available and OSE will also have swag available at our upcoming swag store in December!
Sometimes, around this time of year, I think of Jane and her children. Jane isn’t her real name, but her story’s real and she’s allowed me to share it.