Internet Safety

Email is not always a safe or confidential way to talk to someone about the danger or abuse in your life.  Email can often be read by others, including your abuser, regardless if the email account is web-based or if you use Outlook, Entorage, Eudora, or another email program.  Please consider calling or visiting us at one of our locations.  Our crisis line is (719) 633-3819.  Traditional “corded” phones are more private than cell phones or cordless phones. 

Please consider this information regarding computer use:
• There are hundreds of ways that computers record everything you do on the computer and on the Internet. 
• If you are in danger, please try to use a safer computer that someone abusive does not have direct access, or even remote (hacking) access to. 
• It might be safer to use a computer in a public library, at a community technology center (CTC) www.ctcnet.org (national directory), at a trusted friend’s house, or an Internet Café.
• If you think your activities are being monitored, they probably are.  Abusive people are often controlling and want to know your every move.  You don’t need to 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.
• 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 delete or clear all computer “footprints”.
• If you think you may be monitored on your home computer, you might consider no home Internet use or "safer" Internet surfing.  Example: If you are planning to flee to another state, don't look at classified ads for jobs and apartments, bus tickets, etc... for that state on a home computer or any computer to which an abuser has physical or remote access.  Use a safer computer to research an escape plan, or please consider calling or visiting TESSA to discuss your situation with a confidential advocate who can assist you with information and resources.