The Government recently announced that on Sunday 23rd April at 3pm they will be testing out the UK wide ‘Emergency Alerts’ test.
Emergency alerts are a loud alarm sound and text notification that can be sent to people’s phones as a warning if there is a life-threatening emergency nearby, a severe flood or gas leak for example.
The test means that every phone in the country will go off on Sunday as a practice run, even if it’s on silent. When people are living with frightening domestic abuse, part of their safety plan may be to keep a phone hidden in case of emergencies as they may need to call 999 or contact a loved one for help after their partner has destroyed or taken their main phone.
The test alert will sound on a smartphone even if it’s turned to silent, this may inadvertently let an abuser know that there is a hidden phone in the house and put victims in danger.
It is important to get this message out far and wide. You will know someone who is living with abuse, a colleague, neighbour, relative, though you may not be aware that they are, so sharing posts and information about it can help for it to be seen by the right people. Talk about it at the water cooler, mention it to your local shopkeeper. Spread the word.
Women’s Aid have a helpful guide on Instagram for how to disable emergency notifications on iPhones and Androids:
On your iPhone
Go to the settings app ≥ scroll to notifications ≥ scroll to the very bottom where you should see ‘Extreme Alerts’ and ‘Severe Alerts’ toggles and then turn off.
On your Android
Go to settings ≥ scroll to notifications > Advanced settings > At the bottom you should see ‘Wireless Emergency Alert ≥ switch off ‘allow alerts’.
Seeking support
It is also important to remember that after this test, future emergency alerts would not be pre-warned, they could go off at any time without warning, so it is important for anyone who has a hidden phone to disable emergency notifications permanently.
If you are experiencing abuse, it is important to remember that there is help available and there is no shame in seeking it.
- In England: Visit the Refuge National Domestic Abuse Helpline or call them on 0808 200 0247 for 24 hours a day phone and web chat support.
- In Northern Island: Contact the Domestic and Sexual Abuse Helpline by calling 08088021414 or emailing [email protected] for 24/7 support.
- In Scotland: Visit Scottish Women's Aid by calling them on 0800 027 1234 or emailing [email protected] for support.
- In Wales: Visit Welsh Women's Aid by calling 0808 801 0800.
Additional important contacts
- In Scotland: The Domestic Abuse and Forced Marriage Helpline is available 24/7 for anyone .with experience of domestic abuse or forced marriage. Contact them on 0800 027 1234, via online chat or by emailing [email protected].
- In Wales: Live Free Fear is available 24/7 for individuals who have experienced, or are worried about someone who has, domestic abuse or sexual violence. Contact them on 0808 801 0800, via online chat, via text or by emailing [email protected].
- UK-wide: The Men’s Advice Line run by Respect is a confidential helpline specifically for male victims. Contact them on 0808 801 0327 for support Monday-Friday 10am-5pm or email them on [email protected] Monday-Friday 9am-5pm.
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