Domestic abuse sufferers to be given free mobile phones in new Lifeline scheme.

One of the key indicators of domestic abuse is control. Abusive partners often exert control by monitoring finances, limiting social circles, and checking mobile phones.

But a new scheme by domestic abuse charity SafeLives and Vodafone UK will seek to help women at risk of violence and other abuse break the cycle of control by offering them free smartphones.

The idea is that the phones, which will come pre-loaded with credit, serve as a lifeline for people in abusive relationships to maintain secret contact with family or close friends from whom they may have been cut off. As part of the Lifeline scheme, specialist domestic abuse workers will be able to hand out phones to victims who have had their phones either taken away, monitored or tracked by their abusers.