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Helpline

• Call SARC's 24 Hour Helpline at 410-836-8430 for help.

Internet and Computer Safety:

provided by The National Network to End Domestic Violence

1. Computers create records in hundreds of ways of everything you do on the computer and internet.
2. If you are in danger, please try to use a safer computer where someone abusive does not have direct access, or even remote (hacking) access.
3. It might be safer to use a computer at a public library, at a community technology center, at a trusted friend’s house, or even at an internet café.
4. If you think your activities are being monitored, you are probably right. Abusive people are often controlling and want to know your every move. You don’t need at 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.
5. Computers can provide a lot of information about what you look at on the internet, the emails you send, and other activities. It is not possible to clear all computer “footprints”.
6. If you think you may be monitored on your home computer, you might consider no home internet use or safer intern “surfing”. Example: If you are planning to flee to California, don’t look at classified ads for jobs and apartments, or bus tickets to California on a home computer or any computer an abuser has physical or remote access to. Use a safer computer to research an escape plan.

SARC Safety Information

Safety Planning:

• Prepare to leave quickly if an emergency arises.
• During an incident, stay away form the kitchen or bathroom where there may be hard or sharp surfaces and many objects that may be used as weapons
• Pack a bag:
  1. Keys, Change of Clothes, Copies of important documents,
  2. Money, Important Phone Numbers, Banking Information
  3. Medication, Clothes for children, Favorite toy for child
• Arrange for the child to talk to someone about his or her feelings.
• Involve children in school or church activities to help them avoid isolation.
• Create a signal with a neighbor to alert danger.
• Call SARC to create an individual safety plan.
• Learn your legal options.
• Tell someone about the abuse in your relationship.

Safety Planning for Children:

• Get help for yourself and for the children.
• Teach children not to get in the middle of an abusive or violent incident.
• Teach children to leave the house and go to a neighbor’s during an incident.
• Teach children to call 911.
• Designate a ‘safe’ place for children to go during an incident.
• Go to the child as soon as possible afterwards and reassure the child that you are ok and it is not their fault.

If violence happens in your house:

• Call 911.
• Send your children to a pre arranged safe place.
• Get to a safe place.
• If you cannot get out of the house, stay out of rooms where there are known and unknown weapons. (ie, kitchen and bathroom)

If you are concerned for your safety, please call our 24 hour helpline at 410-836-8430