In case you weren’t already aware, a siren-like alert will be sent to mobile phones and tablets across the UK on 23 April as part of a test for a new government warning system designed to alert the public to life-threatening situations.

The test – which will take place at 3pm on Sunday 23 April – will see a message pop up on home screens, accompanied by vibrations and a warning sound that will play for about 10 seconds.

However, campaigners have warned that the event could put domestic abuse survivors at risk and have called for the government to ensure their safety is central to the rollout of this scheme. 

In a now-viral Instagram post, Citizens Advice Hull and East Riding shared advice for those living with domestic abuse who have a mobile phone hidden in their house “just in case”?

“Please remember to switch it off on Sunday 23 April 2023,” it wrote. “Your hidden phone must be switched off completely during this time to avoid discovery.”

“We are concerned about the impact of the emergency alerts system on survivors of domestic abuse,” Lucy Hadley, head of policy at Women’s Aid also told Stylist.

“For many survivors, a second phone which the perpetrator does not know about is an important form of communication with friends or family – as some abusers confiscate or monitor and control their partner’s phone. It may also be their only lifeline in emergencies. The emergency alerts pose a risk, not only because an abuser could discover a survivor’s second phone, but also because they could use this as a reason to escalate abuse.”

Indeed, the government has confirmed that the sound will play even if the phone is set to silent, and users will have to acknowledge the alert by clicking ‘OK’ before they can continue using their device.

“As safeguarding minister, victims and survivors of abuse are at the heart of everything I do,” Sarah Dines MP, told Stylist. “While the new emergency alerts system will allow us to get urgent and potentially lifesaving messages to the public, it is vital that we ensure vulnerable groups are not adversely affected.

“This is why we have worked with organisations such as Refuge to make sure those with concealed phones are aware of how to opt-out of the national test – either by turning off emergency alerts in their phone settings or by switching their phone off.”

How to turn off the alert

People who do not want to receive the alerts can opt out via their phone’s settings – simply search ‘emergency alerts’ to manage which warnings you want to receive. 

“We are pleased that the government is now issuing proactive communications which highlight the very real risk of these alerts to survivors of domestic abuse, who may have hidden or secret phones,” added Emma Pickering, senior operations tech abuse manager at Refuge.

“Refuge’s Technology-Facilitated Abuse and Economic Empowerment Team have put together two videos on how to turn these alerts off, both on Android phones and on iPhones, for anyone that is concerned that these alerts will put their safety at risk.

“We want to ensure as many survivors as possible know how to ensure these alerts are turned off on their hidden devices. We have more information on securing your devices – for example your location settings or privacy settings – on refugetechsafety.org.”

In the UK, the domestic violence helpline is 0808 2000 247. Alternatively, contact Women’s Aid, Solace or Refuge for advice and support. 

Images: Getty