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Domestic Violence—Internet safety/Technology—articles

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A High-Tech Twist on Abuse: Technology, Intimate Partner Stalking, and Advocacy

added 06/16/2005
Cindy Southworth, Shawndell Dawson, Cynthia Fraser, and Sarah Tucker

This Violence Against Women Online Resources commissioned document summarizes the existing knowledge on the use of technology to stalk. The author uses both published literature and contributions provided by numerous survivors’ reports to provide current information on the variety of sophisticated tools that are being used to stalk current and former intimate partners. The article also provides specific strategies for advocates, including safety planning information, a resource list, and a handout for survivors.

Other formats: plaintext • pdf

Changing Practice: How Domestic Violence Advocates Use Internet and Wireless Communication Technologies

added 01/06/2006
Ann L. Kranz

This research report describes how and why two Midwestern domestic violence organizations use Internet and wireless communication technologies.

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Domestic Violence Organizations Online: Risks, Ethical Dilemmas, and Liability Issues

added 08/02/2001
Jerry Finn, PhD

The Violence Against Women Online Resources commissioned document outlines the risk and liability issues related to use of the Internet and suggests risk-management guidelines to protect organizations from liability. This paper also discusses the lack of empirical research in online service delivery and suggests research approaches for further understanding of the use of online services.

Other formats: plaintext • pdf

E-mail Use Among a Sample of Intimate Partner Violence Shelter Residents

added 06/02/2009
Emily F. Rothman, Jennifer Meade, and Michele R. Decker

"Although it is estimated that approximately 75% of U.S. adults have e-mail access, the proportion of battered women's shelter residents who use e-mail is currently unknown. Among a convenience sample of residents of 11 Massachusetts shelters (N = 57), the authors find that 47% had a current e-mail account. Among those with e-mail accounts, 89% used e-mail in locations other than their own homes; 81% reported that, to their knowledge, their e-mail accounts had never been accessed by unauthorized dating partners; and 88% reported that they thought it would be safe for the shelter to e-mail them following their departure. Additional research assessing the feasibility (i.e., safety, acceptability, and cost benefit) of remaining in contact with shelter residents via the Internet would be beneficial."

Helpful or Harmful?: How Innovative Communication Technology Affects Survivors of Intimate Violence

added 01/13/2006
Ann L. Kranz

This paper explores: 1) the prevalence of web usage by both survivors of intimate violence and the organizations that serve them; 2) the ways in which batterers misuse communication technology to monitor and control their partners activities; and 3) precautions that survivors and organizations can employ to safeguard themselves from liability, harm, and ethical conundrums.

Other formats: plaintext • pdf

Internet Safety Information

added 11/14/2000

Article on how to erase history lists and cache files on your browser.

Promoting the Safe and Strategic Use of Technology for Victims of Intimate Partner Violence: Evaluation of the Technology Safety Project

added 10/07/2009
Jerry Finn and Teresa Atkinson

"The Technology Safety Project of the Washington State Coalition Against Domestic Violence was designed to increase awareness and knowledge of technology safety issues for domestic violence victims, survivors, and advocacy staff. Evaluation of the project suggests that the program is needed, useful, and effective. Consumer satisfaction was high, and there was perceived improvement in computer confidence and knowledge of computer safety. Areas for future program development and further research are discussed."

Survivors of Intimate Violence Seek Help Online: Implications of Responding to Increasing Requests

added 01/12/2006

March 19, 2001. This article documents a one-year study of unsolicited email requests sent to Violence Against Women Online Resources. This article explores some of the implications of responding to requests from survivors online; and seeks to raise awareness about one particular website's increasing number of electronic help-seeking requests. The author calls for a national discussion on responding to such requests and underscores the importance of developing a strategic plan to address the issue.

Technological Safety for Domestic Violence Survivors

added 05/27/2009

"Technological tools such as phones, computers, and searchable databases are being used to monitor, harass, and threaten current or former intimate partners. This forum will explore the safety risks and benefits of technology and cover areas of confidentiality, co-location, and data sharing. The host for this forum is Anzala Alozie. Anzala is the Director of Services at the New York State Coalition Against Domestic Violence and provides management of the statewide Domestic & Sexual Violence Hotline, Women of Color Leadership, Economic Justice, Technology Safety, and Training projects."

The Internet and Cyberstalking (pdf)

added 07/22/2003
Dr Emma Ogilvie

This paper focuses upon cyberstalking because in this way it becomes possible to discern what is special about criminality that takes advantage of the unique possibilities offered by the Internet.

Utilizing Social Media Tools to Engage the Community - Webinar Materials

added 11/13/2009
Nakia Hansen for the National Resource Center on Domestic Violence

"Materials from the webinar on September 15 and 16, 2009 that includes the powerpoint presentation and questions and answers from Nakia Hansen, the presenter. The webinar focused specifically on how the domestic violence community can utilize social networking sites, tools, and applications to get our message of prevention and effective intervention out to the community."

Warning!!: How an Abuser Can Discover Your Internet Activities (pdf)

added 03/30/2000
American Bar Association Commission on Domestic Violence

This article discusses email safety and methods for clearing the computer cache of visited sites.