Government Emergency Alert: The Impact on Domestic Abuse Victims

At Childs Vision, we understand the devastating effects of domestic abuse, especially on the innocent children who witness the violence. That’s why we are committed to providing support and resources to help them break the cycle of abuse and heal from the trauma.

We are deeply concerned about the government’s nationwide test of the UK’s emergency alert service, scheduled for Sunday 23rd April at 3pm. While we recognise the importance of this system in keeping the public safe, we also know that it could potentially harm victims of domestic abuse who have a concealed phone hidden from their abuser.

If you or someone you know are in this situation, we urge you to take action to protect yourself. The government has assured us that they have been working with organisations that focus on vulnerable women and girls to ensure they are not adversely affected by the alert system. However, if you need your phone to remain concealed, you can opt out of the system or turn off your phone ahead of the test.

On iPhones and Android phones and tablets, people can search settings for “emergency alerts” and turn off “severe alerts” and “emergency alerts”. On Huawei devices running EMUI 11 or older, search settings for “emergency alerts” and turn off “extreme threats”, “severe threats”, and “show amber alerts”.

We know that this may be a difficult decision to make, but your safety and well-being are our top priorities. If you need further support or guidance, please don’t hesitate to reach out to Childs Vision. We are here to help you break the cycle of abuse and thrive in a safe and nurturing environment.

Remember, you are not alone. We stand with you and will continue to fight for your rights and well-being.