Technology and safety

There may be times while looking at this website when you need to exit quickly. You may be worried about someone finding out that you have been looking at this site or others. It may be important to plan for what you will do in case an abusive or violent person is watching what you do online. The way you get off of this site quickly may depend on the device you are using. 

Quick Exit Button

You will see that this website has a orange/red “quick exit” button in the footer of each page. 

When you click the “quick exit” button, it will immediately open the Google main search page in a new window/tab. In this new window/tab, you cannot press “back” to the 1800RESPECT website.  

*Please note: the old window/tab that had the 1800RESPECT website will also open a Google main search page and in this tab, you can press back to the 1800RESPECT website.   

The ‘Quick Exit’ function doesn’t delete your browser history. This means that if someone checks your browser history on your computer or mobile device, they will be able to see everything you looked at on our website.    

Deleting browser history

Learn more using below links or search online for how to delete your browser history for your specific browser or device:   

• Microsoft Edge  

• Google Chrome and Android devices  

• Safari, Apple iPhone, iPad or iPod touch devices  

Another option to leave this site quickly is to close your browser window by pressing the “x” on the top right-hand corner of this window. This will take you to your desktop screen or to the program open behind this window. 

Incognito mode/private browsing

In Incognito mode/window or private browsing, the browser does not record the web pages you visit, and cookies will be deleted once the session is terminated. You won’t have to delete your browser history from your devices/browser if you access information via incognito/private browsing mode.   

Learn more using the below links or search online for how to access incognito/private browsing on your device/browser:  

• Microsoft Edge  

• Google Chrome and Android devices   

• Safari Apple iPhone, iPad or Mac  

1800RESPECT can be contacted via call 1800 737 732, text 0458 737 732 or visit www.1800RESPECT.org.au for online chat and video call services. 

It’s important to understand which service channel (call, text, online chat or video call) is best for you. Learn more about each channel here: 

• Call 

• Text 

• Online chat 

• Video call  

Safety considerations for contacting 1800RESPECT: 

Call 

• The 1800RESPECT phone number may appear on your phone bill. Confirm with your network provider that they exclude 1800RESPECT from your itemised phone bill 

• Find a safe space to call 1800RESPECT so you are not overheard by someone 

SMS 

• Delete your conversation history if you are concerned you are being monitored 

• Cloud services associated with your mobile device may backup your text messages on other devices. We recommend deleting your text message history from all devices after your conversation ends 

• The 1800RESPECT SMS number may appear on your phone bill. Confirm with your network provider that they exclude 1800RESPECT from your itemised phone bill 

• For more safety considerations, read Texting 1800RESPECT: An information and safety guide 

Online chat 

• Conversation history is deleted as soon as you close the browser  

• Delete your browser history (your history will show you visited the 1800RESPECT website) 

Video call 

• Delete your browser history and verification code if you are concerned about being monitored 

• For more safety considerations, read 1800RESPECT video call: An information and safety guide 

Use a safer computer or device

Safer devices are devices that a person who has been abusive or violent has not and will not be able to access. This is the safest thing to do if you do not want someone to know what you are doing online. 

If you are really concerned about someone finding out that you are visiting this website then using a safer computer or device may be a good option. 

Think about changing your web browser settings before visiting certain sites

• Turn off your browser and search history 

• Delete the names of some of the websites from your browser history that you have visited 

• Many people choose to delete only the pages they do not want someone else to see that they have visited. Deleting all history may cause the browser to look or work differently 

• To learn how to delete some of your browser history, you can use Google or another search engine to search for “delete browser history”. You can include the name of your browser in your search, such as Chrome, Safari, Google or Firefox 

• Use your browser in private or incognito mode so it is harder to see the sites you have visited. Incognito mode is an internet browsing setting that prevents your history from being stored.  

Planning for when or how you can use technology more safely can be an important part of helping you feel more confident and like you have more say in your own life. 

If it is safe for you, there may be some things you can do to protect your information. Before you make changes with your technology it is important to think about how someone abusing you might react so that you can plan for how to stay safe. 

When you start thinking about your safety and technology, devices and accounts are a good place to start. Within this technology and safety section on our website, you will find a page on device safety and a page on account safety. 

• Devices are things like smartphones, tablets, computers, and any other technology that connects to the internet. 

• Accounts are places online that hold your personal information. You can access your accounts using a web browser. Sometimes accounts have an app that can make getting into your account easier. Accounts include email, banking and social media. 

Devices and accounts can help you stay in touch with the people and information that are important to you. Sometimes the information that is on your devices can also be held or backed up in an online account like iCloud or a Google account. 

Sometimes people use one account, like their Facebook account, to sign up or login to other apps and accounts. It can help to learn if and how your different accounts and devices connect to each other. 

Your accounts may connect through a common iCloud or Facebook account so knowing how your accounts connect may help you understand how the person abusing you is getting your information. Controlling your own devices and accounts may be important for your safety and privacy. 

We recommend making a safety plan before making changes to your device or online accounts in case it could be unsafe for you. Trust yourself. You know your situation the best. 

Everyone has a right to privacy and safety. However, changing device or account settings to try to take back control from someone who has been abusive or violence could be unsafe. Some people that are being monitored choose to get rid of an old device and/or use a new device to have private conversations. Abuse is never your fault. Learning about your choices and technology may help you feel more in control of your life. 

eSafety Commissioner

The eSafety Commissioner has an online safety checklist that has safety steps for anyone experiencing domestic and family violence. This checklist helps increase your personal safety so you can continue to use technology and stay connected.  

WESNET

The Women’s Technology Safety & Privacy Toolkit is a resource from the Safety Net Australia Project at WESNET that was designed specifically for women experiencing technology-facilitated abuse. This toolkit includes guides ranging from online privacy and safety tips to smartphone privacy, location safety information, and much more. Access the toolkit using the link above or visit techsafety.org.au for more information. WESNET’s toolkit has social media guides like, Privacy & Safety on Facebook and Safety & Privacy on Twitter: A Guide for Survivors of Harassment and Abuse. 

WESNET also has documenting tips to record/ collect evidence about what is happening, which may:  

• be helpful if you want to pursue legal action  

• can indicate if danger is increasing  

• will help you see patterns of the technology-facilitated abuse and may help you work out how the abuser is misusing technology to abuse you.  

Visit the WESNET website 

Compass

Compass is an Australian Government website helping to educate everyone on elder abuse in Australia. The website has resources and support to help older people identify technology-facilitated coercive control, understand the warning signs and get support if needed.