UK emergency alert warning to domestic abuse victims - how to turn off test

dailyrecord.co.uk:

The Government emergency alert test is just three days away, but several domestic abuse charities have warned that it could put victims' safety at risk.A test of the UK-wide siren will pop up on smartphones on April 23, as it's set to alert in cases of extreme weather like severe flooding, fires and other serious threats.

But charities are warning that the sudden noise that will sound at 3pm could put vulnerable people in danger.This is because many of those suffering at the hands of a partner may keep a hidden phone that serves as a communication "lifeline".

Charities and government bodies are advising those at risk to turn off the setting this Sunday.Scottish Women's Aid wrote on Twitter: "For women experiencing domestic abuse, having access to a secret phone can be a lifeline.

The upcoming #EmergencyAlerts test could reveal the location of hidden phones to abusers."The Government is also endorsing this move for vulnerable groups after working with organisations to make sure they are not adversely affected. "Women and girls who are subject to domestic abuse and have concealed phones can opt-out of the national test either by turning off Emergency Alerts in their phone settings or by switching their phone off," GOV.UK says.This would apply to anyone who is a victim of domestic abuse, regardless of gender identity.For those who need to keep any phone silent for safety reasons, domestic abuse charity Refuge has put together a guide on how to turn off the alert for both androids and Apple iPhones.In the clip, Emma Pickering, Senior Operations Tech Abuse Manager Emma Pickering, Senior Operations Tech Abuse Manager at Refuge, said: "If you're living with an abusive partner, this could put you at risk, because it could let