Safety Warning:
While you browse, please keep your safety in mind.
🔗(https://www.womensaid.org.uk/cover-your-tracks-online/)
Text from Women’s Aid copied and lightly edited below.
How can an abuser discover your internet activities?
As a rule, internet browsers will save certain information as you surf the internet. This includes images from websites visited, information entered into search engines and a trail (‘history’) that reveals the sites you have visited.
Please follow the instructions below to minimize the chances of someone finding out that you have visited this or any other website:
Note: If you don’t know the type of browser you are using, visit the link above.
Sites often have Exit Site buttons that allow you to quickly exit.
Once this mode is enabled, nothing about your activity on your computer will be in that browsing window. This won’t stop online services from seeing what you get up to, but it won’t leave any traces of your activity on your computer.
Visit the link above for instructions on how to activate this mode (and double check it) in each type of browser (Internet Explorer, Firefox, Chrome).
Internet browsers also keep a record of all the web pages you visit. This is known as a ‘history’. To delete history for Internet Explorer and Firefox:
1. Hold down the Ctrl key + H key.
2. Find any entries that say include the website you don't want recorded + right click + choose Delete.
If an abuser sends you threatening or harassing email messages, they may be printed and saved as evidence of this abuse. Emails may be stored in:
"Sent Items", "Draft folders" (If you started an email but didn’t finish it), in the body of your replies or in "Deleted Items".
If you want to delete an email permanently, you need to delete it separately from Deleted Items.
Toolbars such as Google, AOL and Yahoo keep a record of the search words you have typed into the toolbar search box. In order to erase all the search words you have typed in, you will need to check the individual instructions for each type of toolbar.
Don’t forget to log out of your accounts when you have finished your browsing session so no one else can log in as you.
If you do not use a password to log on to your computer, someone else will be able to access your email and track your internet usage.
All of the above information may not completely hide your tracks. Many browser types have features that display recently visited sites.
The safest way to find information on the internet, would be at a local library, a friend’s house, or at work.
🔗https://www.womensaid.org.uk/information-support/what-is-domestic-abuse/onlinesafety/
Further information and support about online and digital abuse
🇪🇺🔗https://ec.europa.eu/justice/saynostopvaw/helpline.html
Directory of helplines of 46 European countries
❓Advice, Signposting
Online survivor-led resources for people experiencing abusive relationships and gender-based violence. Open and free resources in English, Arabic, Spanish, French, Portuguese, Farsi, Pashto, Urdu, Russian, and Italian
🇬🇧🔗https://www.nationaldahelpline.org.uk/Contact-us?
📞 0808 2000 247 (freephone; 24 hour helpline; confidential; many languages)
❓Helpline; Find a Refuge Vacancy; Discuss Options
Helpline information and secure messaging form and chatbox, run by Refuge
🇬🇧🔗https://www.refuge.org.uk/covid19-survivor-tips/
Safety tips for survivors during the pandemic and Further advice and support for peole experiencing domestic violence (including still living with abuser, planning to leave the abuser or having left the abuser)
🇬🇧🔗https://www.gov.uk/guidance/domestic-abuse-how-to-get-help
❓Signposting; Advice
List of support organisations, advice on recognising domestic abuse, getting help as a victim, for children and young people, and as a perpetrator; support for employers and professional
🇬🇧🔗https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/healthy-body/getting-help-for-domestic-violence/
❓Signposting; Advice on recognising DA; Advice on Supporting a Friend
Guidance for people experiencing abuse or people wanting to help someone who is. Provides information on the signs of emotional, physical, or sexual abuse, and a list of heplines and organisations for support
🇬🇧🔗https://mensadviceline.org.uk/
📞 0808 8010327 (freephone 9am - 5pm / 8pm depending on the day)
❓Helpline; Advice; Emotional Support; Signposting
✅Men
Access (call, webchat or email) to advisors providing emotional support, practical advice and information. Also provides advice for friends and family, and frontline workers
🇬🇧🌍🔗https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1EilGvCxSrj69irn86L_ll2TGVc8g5PbZyuSysTBACJI/edit#gid=0
❓Signposting
GoogleSheet mapping out online toolkits and apps, updated in May 2020
🇬🇧🔗https://www.hestia.org/domestic-abuse
❓Refuge; Support
📞 0808 2000 247 (National Domestic Abuse Helpline to help find a refuge vacancy)
Hestia provides refuge and community based support. During the pandemic, Hestia refuges continue to take referrals and accept women fleeing domestic abuse. They have also partnered with Boots and Superdrug to provide safe spaces for victims of domestic violence to access support in pharmacy consultation rooms
🏴🔗https://sdafmh.org.uk/
📞 0800 027 1234 (24 hour helpline)
✉️[email protected] and Live chat available on the website
❓Helpline
Confidential and sensitive advice and support for anyone with experience of domestic abuse or forced marriage, as well as their family members, friends, colleagues and professionals who support them. Available in Arabic, Chinese, French, Polish, Punjabi, Spanish and Urdu
🏴🔗https://womensaid.scot/
❓Information; Support
Website with advice and information resources and tool to locate local services. Includes resources specific to the pandemic
🏴🔗https://www.scottishwomensrightscentre.org.uk/blogs/covid-19coronavirus-info/
❓Information; Advice
Up-to-date information on the impact of coronavirus on contact arrangements, court cases, support for those experiencing domestic violence
🏴🔗https://www.scotland.police.uk/secureforms/c3/
❓Reporting
Online and secure reporting form
🏴🔗https://www.health-in-mind.org.uk/news_and_blogs/i2267/covid_19_update_march_2020.aspx
❓Support; Information
Health in Mind are making as many counselling services as possible available online and on the phone
🏴🔗https://followitapp.org.uk/
❓App
An app for women in Scotland experiencing stalking to log the stalking incidents. It is tailored to Scottish Law. It is provided by the Scottish Women’s Rights Centre
🇬🇧🔗https://www.lifelink.org.uk/news/2020/march/coronavirus-update/
❓Counselling; Self-Help Materials
Lifelink moved all one-to-one counselling sessions to online and telephone
🇬🇧🔗https://www.refuge.org.uk/our-work/forms-of-violence-and-abuse/tech-abuse-2/resources/
❓ Refuges, Support in the Community, Advocacy, Support for victims of gender-based violence, Child support workers, Support for victims of human trafficking and modern slavery, Empowering victims of tech abuse
🇬🇧🔗 https://www.womensaid.org.uk/information-support/
✉️[email protected] (response within 5 working days)
❓ Information; Signposting
🇬🇧🔗https://chat.womensaid.org.uk
❓Information; Advice; Counselling
⏰ Monday to Friday 10:00am - 4:00pm, Saturday and Sunday 10:00am-12:00pm
Access to advice for women experiencing domestic violence from trained female support workers. Not an emergency service
🇬🇧🔗https://www.welshwomensaid.org.uk/information-and-support/
📞0808 80 10 800 (Freephone, confidential, 24 hours)
❓ Signposting, Safety Planning, Legal Protection
🇬🇧🔗https://uksaysnomore.org/safespaces/
❓Safe space
Consultation rooms offered as a safe space where victims of domestic violence can contact specialist domestic abuse services for support and advice
📞 020 8969 2292
🇬🇧🔗http://www.ashaprojects.org.uk
📞 0208 696 0023
❓Refuge
✅Offers secure accommodation to women and their children who: are threatened with or experiencing domestic and / or sexual violence; are of South Asian origin; have recourse to public funds; are 18 years and over. They do not offer support to women with high support mental and physical health needs, or those dependent on drugs and alcohol
📞 WhatsApp link: https://web.whatsapp.com/send?text=Specialist%20Advice%20and%20Advocacy%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ashiana.org.uk%2Fservices%2Fadvice%2F
❓Advocacy, Advice, Counselling, Training, Support Groups, Violence Prevention, Community Outreach, Refuge
✅Culturally-specific support for women of South Asian, Turkish and Iranian backgrounds. Some beds also reserved for women with no recourse to public funds
🇬🇧🔗https://bedehouse.org.uk/programmes/starfish/
📞 0207 237 9162
❓Telephone / Email Support
🏴🔗https://www.befriending.co.uk/resources/covid-19-support/
Befriending offers supportive, reliable relationships through volunteer befrienders to people who would otherwise be socially isolated. Around the UK, there are befriending projects which organise effective support for children and young people, families, people with mental ill-health, people with learning disabilities and older people, amongst many others
🇬🇧🔗https://directory.islington.gov.uk/kb5/islington/directory/service.page?id=gnYOLyoTIj4
📞 020 7473 2813
Beverley Lewis House is a refuge for single women with learning disabilities escaping domestic violence or other forms of abuse. Run by L&Q
🇮🇪🔗https://www.womensaid.ie/help/
📞1800 341 900 (National Freephone Helpline)
❓Helpline, One-to-One Support (including Legal), Court Accompaniment Service
🇺🇸🔗https://www.thehotline.org/
📞 1-800-799-7233 (24 hour freephone, confidential); text LOVEIS to 22522. Spanish freephone available 12pm-6pm central time.
📞1-800-787-3224 (TTY) (especially for those who are deaf or hard of hearing; video phone: 1-855-812-1001)
✉️ [email protected] (for deaf or hard of hearing)
❓Helpline, Safety Planning, Legal Help
Crisis Text Line, which addresses a range of issues, can be reached by texting HOME to 741741 and via Facebook Messenger from the organization's website. It is available in more than 200 languages
🇺🇸🔗https://hotline.rainn.org/oonline?_ga=2.1272049.1121455869.1584120887-1734706098.1584120887
📞800.656.HOPE (4673) (24 hour freephone, confidential)
✅Survivors of sexual assault and those supporting them
🇺🇸🔗http://tnlr.org/en/24-hour-hotline/
📞617-742-4911 (voice) or 800-832-1901 (freephone, confidential).
❓Emotional Support, Information, Safety Planning, Crisis Intervention
✅LGBQ/T folks, as well as folks in SM/kink and polyamorous communities who are being abused or have been abused by a partner
🇺🇸🔗https://www.safehorizon.org/emergency/
📞Domestic violence: +18006214673 (24 hour freephone, confidential)
📞Rape and sexual assault: +12122273000 (24 hour freephone, confidential)
Available in English and Spanish
❓Counselling; Safety Planning; Signposting to Resources
📞2127141141 (24 hour; English / Spanish hotline)
✅ L.G.B.T.Q.+ experiencing abuse or hate-based violence
🇺🇸 🔗https://helpmateonline.org/
📞8282540516
❓Free emergency shelter, Counselling
Helpmate provides services to victims of domestic violence in BuncombeCounty, North Carolina
🇺🇸? 🔗https://www.alternativejustices.com/victim-of-assault
📞747444ALTJ
❓Listening, Emotional Support, Mediation
📞Crisis Hotline: 210-733-8810
Services will be available throughout the crisis
🇩🇪🔗https://www.berlin.de/willkommenszentrum/en/everyday-life/support-for-women/ [Berlin website linking to the national website]
📞08000116016 (freephone; multilingual)
🇩🇪🔗https://www.maennerhilfetelefon.de/
📞+498001239900
✅Male victims of domestic abuse
🇨🇦Ottawa 🔗 https://unsafeathomeottawa.ca
📞6137045535 (text 7 days a week 8:30am - midnight; French and English)
❓Counselling
🇨🇦Ontario 🔗http://www.awhl.org/
📞18668630511(24/7 freephone; >200 languages)
📞186668637868 (24/7 freephone TTY)
❓Counselling, Emotional Support, Information, Referrals
🇨🇦Quebec 🔗http://www.sosviolenceconjugale.ca/
📞18003639010 (24/7 freephone, confidential, bilingual)
🇨🇦British Columbia 🔗https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/justice/criminal-justice/victims-of-crime/victimlinkbc
📞18005630808 (24/7 freephone, confidential, multilingual including many North American Aboriginal languages)
❓Information, referral
🇨🇦Alberta 🔗https://www.alberta.ca/family-violence-prevention.aspx
📞3101818 (not clear whether 24/7, freephone, confidential)
🇨🇦Alberta 🔗 https://www.alberta.ca/family-violence-find-supports.aspx
List of helplines, financial assistance, shelter and other supports, and information on the law and survivors' rights
🇨🇦Manitoba 🔗https://www.gov.mb.ca/stoptheviolence/index.html
📞 18779770007 (confidential; not clear whether it's 24/7 and freephone)
📞 18889872829 (TTY, confidential; not clear whether it's 24/7 and freephone)
❓Information and support
🇨🇦Prince Edward Island 🔗https://www.princeedwardisland.ca/en/information/family-and-human-services/emergency-services-victims-family-violence
📞 18002182885 (24/7 freephone, confidential)
❓Information; support; active listening; criss counselling
🇦🇷🔗https://www.argentina.gob.ar/generos/linea-144
📞 144 (24 hour, freephone, confidential)
📞 1127716463 (Whatsapp, for those who cannot talk openly due to the presence of their abuser)
📱Mobile app available to download on this page
❓ Help, counselling and support for gender violence victims
General information (in Spanish) on how to use the helpline
🇦🇷📞 137 (24 hour, freephone)
📞 1131331000 (Whatsapp)
❓ Help, counselling and support for domestic violence victims, general information, denouncing cases
Measures taken and recommendations concerning gender and minority issues throughout the quarantine (in Spanish)
🇺🇸🔗https://www.thehotline.org/help/path-to-safety
Covers different types of Safety Planning: While Living With An Abusive Partner, Children, Pets, Pregnancy, Emotional Abuse. There is also a section on leaving a relationship including what to do when preparing, doing so, and afterwards. At the end, you can find legal information on restraining orders/protective orders
🇺🇸🔗https://nnedv.org/latest_update/resources-response-coronavirus-covid-19/
A compilation of recommendations and resources by the National Network to End Domestic Violence (NNEDV)
🇺🇸🌍🔗https://www.womenslaw.org/about-abuse/safety-tips/domestic-violence-victims/safety-abuser
Suggestions for during the violence, what to tell your children, and ways to get help
Staying safe during COVID-19
🇬🇧🔗https://www.womensaid.org.uk/covid-19-resource-hub/
Practical support and guide for women
🇬🇧🔗https://survivingeconomicabuse.org/economic-abuse-and-the-covid-19-outbreak/
Economic abuse and the COVID-19 outbreak
🇺🇸🌍🔗https://www.techsafety.org/digital-services-during-public-health-crises
Examples of technology that can be used to communicate with survivors remotely. Recommendations for how to approach remote work
🇺🇸🌍 https://www.techsafety.org/digital-services-toolkit
Additional related resources during the pandemic, inclusing how to asess readiness for tech-based tools, how to choose the right technology and best practices
🇺🇸🌍🔗https://www.techsafety.org/remote-work-public-health-crisis
Recommendations on how to approach remote work as someone who works with survivors
🇺🇸🌍🔗https://www.techsafety.org/resources-agencyuse
If domestic violence shelters and anti-abuse advocates consider moving their services to mobile, remote or tech-based services, this is a useful resource. The Digital Service Toolkit is available in English and Spanish
🇬🇧🌍🔗https://www.techvsabuse.info/research-findings
Analysis of potential for tech in domestic abuse space (2019)
Checklist on adapting domestic violence services to digital
🇬🇧🔗https://www.endviolenceagainstwomen.org.uk/joint-statement-from-vawg-sector-on-covid-19/
Requests that funders don't impose any necessary burdens during coronavirus, encourages government to end the hostile environment and the no recourse to public funds and proposes actions on contingency planning, guidance, awareness, equal representation, monitoring and action
What Works for Children's Social Care reviews the evidence on perpetrator programmes. There is limited evidence for the effectiveness of perpetrator programmes (which isn't the same thing as saying there's evidence that they don't work)
What Works for Children's Social Care reviews the evidence on interventions for Women Parenting in the Context of Intimate Partner Violence. The Project Support program and the Child-Parent Psychotherapy interventions focus on mother’s mental health and parenting behaviours, aimed at improving coping strategies and reductions in conflict between the mother and child. Both Child-Parent Psychotherapy and Project Support showed promise in reducing maternal distress and improving parenting, although findings are mixed. Results are promising for interventions that include individual and combined sessions for mothers and children and which focused on enhancing the mother-child relationship
🇨🇳🔗https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/qSp14zOcFHLgiCMKxsXQTQ
How to respond to family conflict during the pandemic. In Chinese
[7 May 2020]
[1 May 2020]
[22 April 2020]
🌍🔗https://edition.cnn.com/2020/04/02/europe/domestic-violence-coronavirus-lockdown-intl/index.html
[6 April 2020]
🇺🇸🔗https://www.axios.com/coronavirus-domestic-violence-de98b402-51f2-49ec-919c-c70052e29eef.html
[2 April 2020]
[30 March 2020]