WARNING!

If you are currently being stalked or abused it may not be safe to view this website.

Your abuser can track your online actions – there is nothing you can do to remove your tracks completely.  If you try to erase your tracks, your abuser might become suspicious.

If you think you might be in danger we suggest that you use a computer at a public library, Internet café, or a trusted friend’s computer. If your abuser sends you email, do not open it on your friend's computer.

If you need help now, call 911 or the
•  US National Domestic Violence Hotline 1-800-799-7233
•  US National Sexual Assault Hotline 1-800-656-4673
•  US National Teen Dating Violence Helpline 1-866-331-9474

EMERGENCY ESCAPE BAR

There is a pink emergency escape bar at the bottom of every page on this website. 

Click this bar if your abuser enters the room while you are viewing this website.  It will close this website  and redirect your browser to a neutral page. 

For your protection, your computer will be locked out of this site for an hour after using the emergency escape bar.

INTERNET SAFETY

Computers record everything you do.  It is IMPOSSIBLE to clear your tracks completely.  Your computer stores hundreds of bits of information about everything you do with your computer, including information about which websites you've visited, your passwords, and what your emails say.  Your abuser can readily track the websites you visit or read your email messages.     

 If you suspect your activities are being monitored, they probably are. Abusive people are often controlling and want to know your every move. You don’t need to be a computer programmer or have special skills to monitor someone’s computer activities – anyone can do it and there are many ways to monitor your activities - even without having direct access to your computer.

If you must use a computer that your abuser knows about, we suggest "safer" Internet surfing. For example, if you are planning to flee to California, don't look just at California web pages for jobs, apartments, bus tickets, etc.  Look for the same information in at least a half dozen other states too.

EMAIL SAFETY

Email is not a safe or confidential way to communicate.

Sending email is like sending a postcard through the mail.  Anyone along the path can read what it says. If you need to talk to someone about the danger or abuse in your life, if possible, please call a hotline instead.

If you must use email to discuss your situation we suggest you use an account that your abuser doesn't know about.  Set up a new account with a free email service like hotmail, yahoo, or gmail.

PASSWORD SAFETY

DO NOT use a name or password that contains any identifying information (no names, nicknames, initials, birthdates, zipcodes, etc.) Instead use a name and password that contains a random mix of letters, CAPITAL letters and numbers (for example, HJ3v67Tn) -

Make sure you can remember the user name and password.   If you must write it down somewhere, put it in a place your abuser is unlikely to find it. 

If the computer asks if you would like it to save your password or login information tell it NO.