Safety Planning with Survivors: Understanding Needs and Ensuring Protection

Safety Planning with Survivors Michelle Fisher Michelle Fisher Senior LAV Staff Attorney Senior LAV Staff Attorney AppalReD AppalReD Legal Aid Legal Aid michellef@ardfky.org michellef@ardfky.org

KNOW WHO IS IN THE ROOM 61% of bisexual women 61% of bisexual women face IPV face IPV 65% of immigrant victims 65% of immigrant victims report some form of report some form of immigration related abuse immigration related abuse 3 out of 4 disabled people 3 out of 4 disabled people experience some form of abuse experience some form of abuse

What does safety mean for them? NCADV interactive guide to safety planning at How are they meeting basic needs? How are they meeting basic needs? What are their goals? What are their goals? What are important considerations for them? What are important considerations for them? Are there connections you can help them make? Are there connections you can help them make? Reinforce and build good practices to address Reinforce and build good practices to address immediate safety, identify escape routes, gather immediate safety, identify escape routes, gather important documents, and build an emergency kit important documents, and build an emergency kit https://www.thehotline.org/plan- for-safety/create-your-personal- safety-plan

Physical Safety Safety in shelter: locks, security systems, safety apps Safety in shelter: locks, security systems, safety apps Discuss safe spaces Discuss safe spaces if you do meet, do so in these if you do meet, do so in these conditions conditions $$$ $$$-- --Discuss bills, necessary expenses, and how those Discuss bills, necessary expenses, and how those are going to be met are going to be met Identify shared spaces (routes, stores, public areas, and Identify shared spaces (routes, stores, public areas, and how to minimize them) how to minimize them) Know their options Know their options are you prepared to describe what are you prepared to describe what life in shelter might be like? What kind of a relationship life in shelter might be like? What kind of a relationship do you have with local domestic violence shelters, victim do you have with local domestic violence shelters, victim advocates, and homeless shelters? advocates, and homeless shelters?

Digital Safety Social Media Social Media Secure Communication Secure Communication Location sharing and passwords Location sharing and passwords Pictures Pictures Air tags Air tags RING Doorbells, RING Doorbells, Amazon Alexa and Echo Amazon Alexa and Echo Google Home Hub Google Home Hub Nest systems/smart thermostats Nest systems/smart thermostats Smart TVs Smart TVs Smart Plugs Smart Plugs Fitness trackers/Smartwatches Fitness trackers/Smartwatches Wireless systems Wireless systems Smart locks Smart locks CCTV Cameras CCTV Cameras Recommend: Recommend: The Safety Net Project by NNEDV The Safety Net Project by NNEDV https://www.techsafety.org/resourc https://www.techsafety.org/resourc es es- -survivors/technology survivors/technology- -safety safety- -plan plan

Tech Check List all devices and accounts Block, delete, unfriend Note which of these the perp. has access to After gathering evidence Think about what info is on those accounts Camera cover Change all passwords Different device Do not use the same password Guard personal information online Use a unique passphrase for each account or password manager Location sharing/GPS/Find My Phone, Find My Friends turn off Change password to WiFi Consider security question answers fake **Delete history** Auto saved passwords OFF Check out of checking in Sign out when not in use Change privacy settings 2 Factor Authentication Use screenshot v. photo for metadata Do not use one account to log in to another Check Last Account Activity Remove email addresses from shared accounts/devices/Trusted Devices P.O. Box

Tech Check Untether phone/other devices Replacing devices entirely if an option do not back up Search belongings Unusual hardware (keyloggers between keyboard/desktop) Examine gifts/unusual items for hidden cameras Check children s accounts Alternate email accounts, social media do not sign into on personal or shared devices Home security system access Network scanners/port scanners/etc. to detect hidden cameras Consider automatic content uploaded/connected List images/videos they may access Check apps! Delete anything unfamiliar Reverse image search Spyware law enforcement can check (running slow, battery draining, data being used, device hot, lighting up when not in use, clicks/sounds/calls, long time to shut down Google alert for name Back ups for your back ups evidence Devices up to date! Then check privacy settings

Emotional safety That is emotional manipulation that only benefits you That is emotional manipulation that only benefits you Plan for boundary crossing Plan for boundary crossing Parenting apps Parenting apps Parenting conduct orders Parenting conduct orders Emergency plan Emergency plan Identify triggers/traumas/reactions Identify triggers/traumas/reactions Create a safe space Create a safe space grounding techniques grounding techniques Discuss how to do this in public Discuss how to do this in public Identify self care for body and mind Identify self care for body and mind Affirmations Affirmations Identify what is uplifting and Identify what is uplifting and good (books, podcasts, tv, movies, social good (books, podcasts, tv, movies, social media, people media, people Coping strategies Coping strategies discuss the s word. discuss the s word. Support Support build connections build connections Set boundaries Set boundaries Emotional, mental, physical Emotional, mental, physical

Legal Options : Protective Orders Advantages Advantages Disadvantages Disadvantages Documentation Documentation Reveals county location Reveals county location Speaking their truth can be freeing, even Speaking their truth can be freeing, even if they don t win if they don t win Must stay for court proceeding Must stay for court proceeding Can be re Can be re- -traumatizing traumatizing Temporary Custody Orders Temporary Custody Orders What if they lose? What if they lose? Get basic belongings Get basic belongings The cost of dismissal The cost of dismissal No guns!....? No guns!....? *Immigration* *Immigration*

1. 1. Needs change Needs change a. a. Example: Before, During, and After Example: Before, During, and After Court Court Wants change Wants change Circumstances change Circumstances change 2. 2. 3. 3. Use basic building blocks so survivors can Use basic building blocks so survivors can adjust adjust without you. without you. Update your safety plan! Consider where they may see the abuser Consider where they may see the abuser Thought experiment re: safety Thought experiment re: safety Share local, state, and national resources Share local, state, and national resources Discuss risks but help them plan for the Discuss risks but help them plan for the future future

Speak life. We are uniquely situated to point out all We are uniquely situated to point out all the times survivors were strong, smart, the times survivors were strong, smart, kind, good, resourceful, and capable. kind, good, resourceful, and capable. Remind them of these times, often, so they Remind them of these times, often, so they can start reminding themselves. can start reminding themselves.

Michelle Fisher, Esq. michellef@ardfky.org (606)679-7313 Ext. 7209 Thank you