Watch out for…

Electronic Communications

An abuser can monitor your computer and there are ways for an abuser to access your email and to find out what sites you have visited on the Internet.

Unfortunately there is no way to completely remove all traces of your computer activities.

If you suspect that someone is monitoring your communications, do not use email, texting, social media or messenger services to talk about your problems. Only discuss them face-to-face or on the telephone with someone in a location where you cannot be heard by anyone other than the person you are speaking to.

Private Browsing/ incognito browsing (name varies for different browsers)

Generally Private Browsing can be activated in the Tools bar and will open a new window. This tool prevents websites from saving any data about you, which may leave a trail, such as cookies, history, or other browser data created or saved in that session. This mode is not 100% safe and there is software that can enable your abuser to recover your activities. 

Stored Passwords 

Do not store passwords and do not use obvious passwords, keep changing them regularly. Try and use passwords that include both letters and numbers. Remember your browser can store passwords to save you time, but these can also be used by someone to access your account. When your browser asks you if it should remember your password click no, if you have accidentally clicked yes then immediately change your password.

Search Engines and Toolbar Search Boxes 

Search engines and toolbar search boxes keep a record of the search words you have typed into the toolbar. They can retain and display past searches. In order to erase all the search words you have typed in, you will need to check the individual instructions for each type of search engine and toolbar.

Telephone Numbers

Keep important telephone numbers written down in a safe place in case of an emergency, such as friends you trust, social services, the forced marriage unit, your solicitor, the children’s school or the GP.

Emergency bag

Pack an emergency bag and keep it somewhere safe or with someone you trust, this could be a friend or neighbours.

Money

Try and put some money aside in case of an emergency.

Safety alert

The majority of smart phones have a feature which allows you to set up an alert in case of an emergency.  If you have a phone, check to see if you have this feature and set it up. Some can automatically and silently call the police, show your location and take recordings and pictures with just a click of a button.