Domestic Harmony

Offering shelter, advocacy, and support services to survivors of domestic violence
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Safety planning

If you are still in the relationship:

  • Think of a safe place to go if an argument occurs. Avoid rooms with one entrance/exit like the bathroom or rooms with weapons like the kitchen.
  • Think about and make a list of safe people to contact.
  • Keep money with you at all times, at least coins for a phone call.
  • Memorize all important numbers–phone, social security, etc.
  • Establish a “code word” or “signal” so that family, friends, teachers, or co-workers know when to call for help.
  • Think about what you will say to your partner if he or she becomes violent.
  • For information about receiving an emergency cell phone to use for 911 calls, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE or 1-800-787-3224 TTD. or contact Domestic Harmony at 1-888-439-1454

Remember that you have the right to live without fear and violence.

If you have left the relationship:

  • Change your phone number.
  • Screen calls.
  • Save and document all contacts, messages, injuries, or other incidents involving the abusive partner.
  • Change locks, if the abusive partner has a key.
  • Avoid staying alone.
  • Plan how to get away if confronted by an abusive partner.
  • If you have to meet with your partner, do it in a public place like the police station.
  • Vary your routine.
  • Notify school and work contacts.
  • Call a domestic violence shelter. To connect to the nearest shelter call National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE or 1-800-787-3224 TTD. or call Domestic Harmony at 1-888-439-1454
 

Internet safety

It is possible for someone to figure out what you have been doing on a computer–what Web sites you have visited and even who you sent e-mail to. The fact that you are viewing this page can be known by anyone who has access to this computer.To insure your safety if you are looking up information on domestic violence there are several things you should know.
Use a safe computer.
If possible, avoid using your home computer or any computer that your abuser may use. Lots of information is saved on a computer when you use the Internet. Information about passwords, such as the password to your e-mail account can be found on your home computer. Also, the program the computer runs when you use the web, called a “browser,” saves information about what web sites you have visited, so it's better not to use your home computer, or any other computer that your abuser knows that you have used and might access himself or herself.
If you must use a home computer do the following:
Use passwords that are hard to guess and don't write them down.
Set your computer so that it does NOT remember passwords
Log off before you leave.
Disable “Inline Autocomplete” on your Internet browser.
Inline Autocomplete keeps track of Web addresses that you have typed in the past, so you don't have to type them again. If left turned on, this can let your abuser know what Web addresses you have visited, so you need to tell your browser not to do Inline Autocomplete or whatever the equivalent function is in the browser your computer is using. If you are using Internet Explorer, click on “Tools” then click on “Internet Options.” Click on the “Advanced” tab. Scroll down until you find the check boxes for “Use Inline Autocomplete.” Make sure the boxes are NOT checked. Then click the “OK” button.

After each time you use the Internet, clear your “History” and delete all the “Cache” files.
If your general browser is Internet Explorer: Click on “Tools” then click on “Internet Options.” The “General” page should be displayed. In the “Temporary Internet Files” box, click on “Delete Files.” In the “History” box, click on “Clear History.”

If you browser is Netscape: Click on “Edit” then click on “Preferences.” Select “Navigator” and click on the “Clear History” button. Then go back and click on “Advanced.” Select “Cache” and click on “Clear Disk Cache.”

On older versions of Netscape you may need to use this procedure: Click on “Options” then click on “Network Options.” Select “Cache.” Click on “Clear Disk Cache.”

If you use AOL: From the “Members” menu, select “Preferences.” Click on the WWW icon. Select “Advanced.” Then “Purge Cache.”

Be aware that a cleared history can alert an abusive partner that you are trying to hide what you are doing on the internet. The safest way to use a computer is in a public place, such as a library.