BIFF Response

This site discusses how to manage exchanges with “high conflict people” but it does not consider the degree of high conflict we mostly deal with on this blog. Their advice really isn’t geared toward the difficulties of dealing with the average conscience-deficient evil abuser — evil people who know what they are doing and why they are doing it and whose purpose is control and dominance.

They are mostly about non-abusers who are socially challenged in some way and so become difficult. However, that does not mean what they have to say is not valuable or would not be helpful for some situations our readers may be dealing with. Some of what they say can be helpful for abuse victims, especially the article on responding to emails.

They have a section on high conflict people at work and a ton of stuff on divorce. We are not sure their divorce stuff is all that helpful for domestic abuse situations, though. And one of their suggestions would be contraindicated in dealing with abusers: what they call the E.A.R. method, which is give Empathy (we are already lost right there), Attention, and Respect. Noooooo……
So readers, when you visit this site, just bear these caveats in mind.

Technology Safety & Privacy: A Toolkit for Survivors – Technology Safety

The Technology Safety Toolkit link leads to a wealth of information on technology safety information for survivors, including cell phones, connected devices, social media, etc. If you choose one of the Toolkit links, an option to download a PDF version of the information listed is usually provided at the end of that page. The link to the Technology Safety website can also be accessed from near the bottom of The National Network To End Domestic Violence (NNEDV).

eSafety Checklist

This safety checklist is from Australia so the telephone number for SafeSteps and the names of government agencies will not apply if you live in another country.

HopeLine – Verizon

Verizon has ended their HopeLine program, though we have left the broken link and informational paragraph here for your reference. Further information on the HopeLine program ending can be found here and here.

HopeLine provides ways for individuals to take action against domestic violence by donating no-longer-used wireless phones and accessories in any condition from any service provider. Verizon turns these resources into support for domestic violence organizations and programs nationwide.

Increasing Security when using technology

Many tips for increasing online security from 1800respect.org.au, depending upon which area of technology and connection you wish to pursue.

Safety and Privacy on Facebook — A Guide For Survivors of Abuse

Digital stalking – a guide to technology risks for victims

A PDF guide by Jennifer Perry. The link Women’s Aid – Digital Safety, from which the Jennifer Perry PDF guide is downloaded, contains other digital safety information and PDF downloads.

Mr. Number — free app for Android devices

This app blocks calls and texts.  Here is a short video showing how to set up the app on your Android phone.

Safety and privacy in the digital World

by VAWnet

SmartSafe: Technology Abuse & Your Safety

This is an Australian site with How-to Videos on smartphone safety for Android phones. Video instructions include topics such as Turning geotagging off your photos on an Android phone, Immediate safety settings for an Android phone, Turn off location history on an Android phone, Taking a screenshot for evidence collection on an Android phone, etc.

Spyware apps used to monitor partners

Exclusive article explaining how the use of spyware apps by abusers are to monitor partners is reaching ‘epidemic proportions’.

TalkingParents.com

TalkingParents is designed to help parents avoid disputes by keeping a complete record of communications.  They maintain the record as an independent third party, making sure parents cannot delete or alter anything they have said.

We have not actually used this site ourselves but have examined it pretty carefully including looking at the terms and conditions (the fine print). From our assessment, it looks like it could be a helpful service for some of our readers; but we urge readers to look at the fine print in the Terms of Service for themselves, before they sign up.

One more thing: the site uses the term ‘high conflict divorce,’  a term which is often used in the family court system.  We don’t like the term ‘high conflict divorce’ as we believe it is a mutualising euphemism for what actually goes on in domestic abuse: the unilateral abuse by one spouse against the other spouse. However, the site doesn’t seem to use that term often, and the benefits which the site may give to its users probably outweigh the sting of that euphemism.

Tech Safety App

By the National Network to End Domestic Violence, Tech Safety has an app which contains information that can help someone identify technology-facilitated harassment, stalking, or abuse and includes tips on what can be done.  Available in English and Spanish.

Tips for selecting a strong online password

from WordPress

The Women’s Services Network (WESNET) of Australia

With almost 350 members across Australia, WESNET is a national women’s peak advocacy body which works on behalf of women and child who are experiencing or have experienced domestic or family violence. WESNET represents a range of organizations and individuals including women’s refuge, shelters, safe houses and information/referral services.  Below are links to two of their safety planning resources:

Safety Planning:  Technology Safety Plan 
Safety Planning Booklet

WomensLaw.org — a project of the National Network to end Domestic Violence (NNEDV)

WomensLaw is an extensive website launched to provide legal information and resources for survivors of domestic violence. They also provide several pages of safety tips while using the internet and social media.

Facebook Pages

A Cry for Justice

I Will Stand

Not Under Bondage

Blogs

A New Free Life

A Solitary Journey

Freeing Hope

Jeff S’s Song Blog

Life Inspired Thoughts

Manipulative People – George Simon

My Only Comfort

Rising From The Ashes Poetry

Stop Baptist Predators – by Christa Brown, an activist on the issue of clergy sexual abuse in the Southern Baptist Convention. 

Thoroughly Christian Divorce

Under Much Grace

Forums

Tip: Forums generally require you to set up a password protected account. On a password protected forum, what you write on the forum is only visible to other members of the forum. ☺

Living Well

Websites

Mending the Soul Ministries