Privacy & Confidentiality Content Topic Results

Safety & Privacy in a Digital World

ckeene — Fri, 12 Aug 2016 12:42:57 +0000

Safety & Privacy in a Digital World ckeene Fri, 08/12/2016 - 08:42

Published

January 16, 2018

New Resources Added

June 28, 2018

Author(s)

Casey Keene

Breckan Erdman Winters

For many of us, technology plays an integral role in our day-to-day lives. We connect with friends and family on social media, access news and current events from online media sources, and use smart phones' GPS capabilities to figure out how to travel to new places. While rapid advancements in technology provide us with powerful tools to connect, learn, and exchange ideas, they also arm abusers with new ways to inflict harm.

This newly updated special collection explores ways to promote safe internet use, build healthy online communities, and promote social justice online, while addressing some of the ways that abusers misuse technology to commit gender-based violence. The collection features resources that highlight the importance of privacy and promote safe online interactions, paying particular attention to working with children and youth to foster safe online spaces. It also includes resources for survivors who have experienced or are currently experiencing digital abuse, and provides helpful information for service providers.

Technology is ever evolving, at a rate that sometimes feels impossible to grasp. There will always be a “next big thing” which will undoubtedly raise questions about the safety of survivors of abuse. It is our role to ask those questions, to support informed, survivor-centered choices around the use of technology, and to continue to advocate for the rights and needs of those experiencing abuse.

This collection was developed by the National Resource Center on Domestic Violence. Special thanks to the SafetyNet Project of the National Network to End Domestic Violence for their leadership and resource development in this area.

Navigating the Civil Legal System: Resources for Survivors of Domestic Violence, Their Advocates, and Legal Professionals

ckeene — Fri, 12 Aug 2016 17:56:45 +0000

Navigating the Civil Legal System: Resources for Survivors of Domestic Violence, Their Advocates, and Legal Professionals ckeene Fri, 08/12/2016 - 13:56

Published

December 01, 2015

Survivors of domestic violence can face a number of legal issues that either directly stem from, or are affected by, the actions of those who use abuse and violence. These issues can include obtaining protection orders against an abuser; filing for divorce; seeking custody of and/or visitation with minor children; and filing for child support. This collection of resources is divided, in part, by these topics and is specifically focused on those legal issues most commonly arising in family court.

Please note that the focus of this resource collection is civil legal issues rather than criminal legal matters.* The collection includes both national and state legal resources for advocates and legal professionals working with survivors of domestic violence, as well as survivors who either may be representing themselves in protection order and family law proceedings or who are seeking legal referrals. In addition, this collection includes a number of directories to assist in locating legal services for survivors in specific states, including legal aid organizations, paid attorneys, and volunteer attorneys, as well as information on how state laws and court procedures differ.

While many survivors of domestic violence choose to pursue legal remedies to address abuse and related issues, and there are often positive benefits associated with obtaining legal help, there are many survivors who wish to avoid the legal system for a number of reasons and instead pursue other avenues of support. Listed below are just a few of the considerations that might be important to individual survivors:

Legal representation is expensive, and there are often associated and sometimes unanticipated costs.
Though evidence suggests economic benefits to society associated with providing legal services to domestic violence survivors, and that the benefits to be gained by subsidizing more legal services can often justify their costs, low- or no-cost legal representation is not always guaranteed (Supporting Survivors: The Economic Benefits of Providing Civil Legal Assistance to Survivors of Domestic Violence, 2015).
Pursuing legal remedies requires a great deal of time for case preparation, meetings with attorneys, and court hearings, thereby adding another layer of challenges to a survivor’s life.
It can prove intimidating, and even dangerous, to bring a legal action against or face an abuser in court.
Life-changing decisions such as custody of minor children are often ultimately left to the determination of a judge; the potential exists for a decision to be made that might not be ideal, or even favorable, to the survivor or her children.
Significantly, many survivors may face discrimination from the legal system itself, particularly survivors of color, LGBT survivors, survivors with disabilities, and survivors with limited English proficiency.
Because of laws regarding tribal and state jurisdiction, Native survivors may not even be able to access appropriate and necessary legal remedies.

Such barriers and discrimination may substantially, and understandably, dissuade survivors from engaging with the civil legal system.

Survivors are strongly encouraged to seek advice and support from a domestic violence advocate or other trusted source before pursuing legal action against an abusive partner. Also, in the event a survivor decides not to pursue legal action, there are a number of alternative types of support available to her/him. For more information on the specific types of support that exist for survivors, please contact your state domestic violence coalition.

Please note that there are a number of legal issues that can and often do intersect with domestic violence, including housing, economics and finance, immigration, and criminal legal issues. This collection does not cover those topics. While some of the material included here addresses immigration status as it relates to other legal issues in immigrant survivors’ lives, information on representing survivors in immigration proceedings is outside of the scope of this resource collection. For more information on the myriad issues affecting immigrant survivors of domestic violence, please access the VAWnet Special Collection, Immigrant Women and Domestic Violence.

Please note that the resources found below are for informational purposes only and do not contain legal advice.

* For more information on the intersection of criminal legal matters and domestic violence, please visit the Battered Women’s Justice Project.

New Social Security Numbers for Domestic Violence Victims

ckeene — Tue, 05 Nov 2024 15:08:32 +0000

New Social Security Numbers for Domestic Violence Victims ckeene Tue, 11/05/2024 - 10:08

General Material

Published Date

July, 2021

New Resources Added

November 05, 2024

Publisher(s)

U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA)

This guidance from the Social Security Administration, available in English and Spanish, reviews the process for victims of domestic violence to obtain a new social security number.

"Although we don’t routinely assign new numbers, we’ll do so when evidence shows you are being harassed or abused, or your life is endangered. Applying for a new number is a big decision. Your ability to interact with federal and state agencies, employers, and others may be affected. Your financial, medical, employment, and other records will be under your former SSN and name (if you change your name). If you expect to change your name, please do so before applying for a new number."

Associated Links

New Numbers for Domestic Violence Victims (English)

Nuevos números para las víctimas de violencia doméstica (Spanish)

Request a Replacement Social Security Card Online

Material Categories

Counseling & Crisis Intervention

Civil Legal Rights & Protections

Privacy & Confidentiality

Domestic Violence

Data Breaches & Victim Service Providers: Considerations for Developing Effective Policies

berdman — Fri, 12 Jul 2019 17:23:37 +0000

Data Breaches & Victim Service Providers: Considerations for Developing Effective Policies berdman Fri, 07/12/2019 - 13:23

General Material

Published Date

January, 2019

Publisher(s)

National Network to End Domestic Violence (NNEDV)

Many victim service providers now maintain electronic records that contain detailed personally identifying information (PII) about people who have received services. Because confidentiality and privacy are essential to the safety and well-being of survivors, and because electronic systems are vulnerable to data breaches, the Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) now requires all grantees to have a data breach response plan in place.

This page from NNEDV's Safety Net Project outlines considerations for programs to discuss in order to best manage data and create solid data breach policies that prioritize survivor safety and privacy.

Associated Links

Data Breaches & Victim Service Providers: Considerations for Developing Effecti…

Material Categories

Nonprofit Management

Privacy & Confidentiality

Domestic Violence

Technology

Serving Teen Survivors: A Manual for Advocates

berdman — Mon, 09 Aug 2021 17:41:53 +0000

Serving Teen Survivors: A Manual for Advocates berdman Mon, 08/09/2021 - 13:41

General Material

Published Date

December, 2018

Publisher(s)

National Sexual Violence Resource Center (NSVRC)

This manual is designed to help advocates and other helping professionals navigate the sometimes muddy waters of working with young people. Though factors such as mandated reporting and confidentiality may be seen as barriers to working with teens, they are simply aspects of working with this age group. Youth may experience sexual violence at the highest rates of any age group. This manual is designed to help those providing services to survivors of sexual violence serve teens using a trauma-informed approach.

Associated Links

Serving Teen Survivors: A Manual for Advocates

Material Categories

Core Competencies

Trauma Informed Approach

Privacy & Confidentiality

Sexual Violence

Young People

Privacy and Safety with IoT Devices

berdman — Thu, 28 Jun 2018 11:48:46 +0000

Privacy and Safety with IoT Devices berdman Thu, 06/28/2018 - 07:48

General Material

Published Date

June, 2018

Publisher(s)

National Network to End Domestic Violence (NNEDV)

The Internet of Things (IoT) refers to devices connected to each other and to a device or app that can control them. These devices may be connected through the Internet, Bluetooth, or other means. Unfortunately, these devices and systems can provide yet another, highly invasive way that technology can be misused to monitor, harass, threaten or harm a survivor. At the same time, they can also offer potential tools survivors can use to strategically increase their safety.

Safety Net has developed a series of handouts on home automation and personal assistants, connected health and medical devices, smart toys and location trackers, and more describing the risks and potential benefits of the new wave of IoT devices.

Associated Links

Privacy and Safety with IoT Devices

Material Categories

Privacy & Confidentiality

Domestic Violence

Stalking

Technology

Body-Worn Cameras and Violence Against Women: Victim Safety and Confidentiality

berdman — Fri, 05 Apr 2019 13:23:52 +0000

Body-Worn Cameras and Violence Against Women: Victim Safety and Confidentiality berdman Fri, 04/05/2019 - 09:23

General Material

Published Date

February, 2018

Publisher(s)

International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP)

This webinar from IACP presents information about balancing victim safety and confidentiality with officer safety and accountability. It highlights safety and confidentiality issues that should be considered as body-worn camera programs are created or updated, include video release, retention and viewing.

Associated Links

Body-Worn Cameras and Violence Against Women: Victim Safety and Confidentiality

Material Categories

Criminal Justice

Privacy & Confidentiality

Domestic Violence

Sexual Violence

What are some practical tips for survivors to manage their online presence?

berdman — Wed, 02 May 2018 17:53:28 +0000

What are some practical tips for survivors to manage their online presence? berdman Wed, 05/02/2018 - 13:53

General Material

NRCDV Publications

Published Date

January, 2018

Publisher(s)

National Resource Center on Domestic Violence (NRCDV)

Author(s)

Chad Sniffen

Violence against women comes in many forms and, in this digital age, technology is an ever-evolving tool being misused as a tactic to perpetuate harassment, stalking, and abuse. As we strive to end gender-based violence and inequality, addressing technology safety is critical. In NRCDV's January 2018 TA Question of the month, guest writer Chad Sniffen offers practical tips to help survivors stay safe online.

See more TAQs on the VAWnet News Blog.

Associated Links

What are some practical tips for survivors to manage their online presence?

VAWnet News Blog

Material Categories

Core Competencies

Privacy & Confidentiality

Domestic Violence

Stalking

Technology

VAWA Confidentiality and Protections for Immigrant Victims of Domestic Violence

berdman — Wed, 28 Feb 2018 17:22:03 +0000

VAWA Confidentiality and Protections for Immigrant Victims of Domestic Violence berdman Wed, 02/28/2018 - 12:22

General Material

Training Tools

Published Date

October, 2017

Publisher(s)

National Immigrant Women's Advocacy Project (NIWAP)

Author(s)

“As the numbers of immigrant family violence victims accessing justice increases, state court judges need to understand the federal statutory protections afforded by Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) confidentiality to immigrant crime victims that helps keep victims, families and court staff safe. This 60-minute webinar will provide attendees with up to date information on VAWA Confidentiality’s protections, purpose, Department of Homeland Security policies and legislative history. Webinar attendees will be better able to: rule on discovery motions in family, criminal and civil cases; identify litigants who are crime victims eligible for VAWA confidentiality protection; and address the unique challenges in delivering access to justice for immigrant adult and child family and sexual violence victims in crisis who appear in state court.”

Associated Links

VAWA Confidentiality and Protections for Immigrant Victims of Domestic Violence

Material Categories

Civil Legal Rights & Protections

Criminal Justice

Immigration / Resettlement

Privacy & Confidentiality

Domestic Violence

Immigrant / Refugee

Sexual Violence

Enhanced Safety Planning for Immigrant Survivors of Domestic and Sexual Violence

berdman — Wed, 28 Feb 2018 17:07:23 +0000

Enhanced Safety Planning for Immigrant Survivors of Domestic and Sexual Violence berdman Wed, 02/28/2018 - 12:07

General Material

Training Tools

Published Date

October, 2017

Publisher(s)

Casa de Esperanza

Author(s)

Rosie Hidalgo

Abusers often use the threat of immigration enforcement as a way to maintain power and control and to make victims less likely to seek protection. For this reason, it is important for advocates to understand how to: help immigrant survivors become aware of their rights; identify immigration remedies for victims, including special VAWA provisions around confidentiality; prepare enhanced safety plans for immigrant survivors; and increase meaningful access to services for immigrants and survivors with limited English proficiency. This training also provides updates on recent immigration policy developments and new enforcement measures that impact immigrant survivors.

Associated Links

Enhanced Safety Planning for Immigrant Survivors (Part 1)

Enhanced Safety Planning for Immigrant Survivors (Part 2)

Material Categories

Accessibility

Counseling & Crisis Intervention

Civil Legal Rights & Protections

Immigration / Resettlement

Privacy & Confidentiality

Domestic Violence

Immigrant / Refugee

Sexual Violence