Need help now? Immediate danger or medical emergency: 911. U.S./Canada crisis support: 988. U.S. relationship-abuse support: 800-799-SAFE.

WORKBOOK 03 · SAFETY, ADVOCACY & RECOVERY EDUCATION

Digital Safety Without Blame

A careful guide to safer devices, passwords, shared accounts, location tracking, social media, impersonation, unwanted contact, evidence preservation, and digital recovery.

Educational scope: General psychoeducation only - not legal advice, representation, investigation, therapy, diagnosis, medical care, emergency response, or an individualized safety plan. Laws and procedures vary. Visiting or downloading does not create a professional relationship with Michelle D. Elder, MSW, LMHC.
Technology safety: A Quick Exit opens Google but cannot erase browser, device, network, account, employer, router, or service-provider records. If monitoring is possible, consider a safer device. Changing settings may alert someone or erase evidence.

Readable and language-ready

Every concept below is selectable HTML so a trusted browser translation feature can translate the page into supported languages. Automatic translation may be inaccurate; confirm legal, emergency, and safety language with a qualified interpreter or local professional.

INDIVIDUAL CONCEPTS AND ACTIVITIES

Choose one place to begin.

No activity requires disclosure or completion. Each heading has its own linkable address for sharing the exact concept without sending someone through the entire workbook.

CONCEPT 01

Pause before changes

Sudden password, location, or device changes can alert someone, erase evidence, or escalate behavior. Begin by considering a safer device and confidential technology-safety support.

Private reflection options

  • Could this device be monitored?
  • What change might be noticed?
  • Where can I seek advice privately?

Write only what is safe to keep. Skip, adapt, pause, or use a trained advocate, attorney, licensed provider, qualified interpreter, or emergency service when appropriate.

CONCEPT 02

A safer device strategy

A safer device is one the other person has not accessed, configured, paid for, or linked to shared accounts. Public and borrowed devices have privacy limits. Avoid signing a safer account into a possibly monitored device.

Private reflection options

  • Possible safer devices or locations
  • Accounts that should never connect
  • A safe way to remember access

Write only what is safe to keep. Skip, adapt, pause, or use a trained advocate, attorney, licensed provider, qualified interpreter, or emergency service when appropriate.

CONCEPT 03

Passwords and recovery

Unique passwords, secure recovery information, and multi-factor authentication can help when changes are safe. Review recovery email, phone numbers, trusted devices, backup codes, questions, and password managers.

Private reflection options

  • Highest-priority accounts
  • Recovery paths another person may control
  • A safe sequence for changes

Write only what is safe to keep. Skip, adapt, pause, or use a trained advocate, attorney, licensed provider, qualified interpreter, or emergency service when appropriate.

CONCEPT 04

Shared accounts and cloud data

Family plans, photos, calendars, app stores, browser sync, health portals, school apps, and payment services may reveal activity, devices, purchases, or locations.

Private reflection options

  • Shared services I use
  • Information each could expose
  • What to preserve before separating access

Write only what is safe to keep. Skip, adapt, pause, or use a trained advocate, attorney, licensed provider, qualified interpreter, or emergency service when appropriate.

CONCEPT 05

Location and connected devices

Phones, vehicles, watches, earbuds, tags, cameras, doorbells, speakers, and smart-home systems may share location or activity. If a tracker is suspected, consider documenting it in place and getting advice before removal.

Private reflection options

  • Devices or vehicles to review
  • Unexpected alerts or account notices
  • Who can help inspect safely

Write only what is safe to keep. Skip, adapt, pause, or use a trained advocate, attorney, licensed provider, qualified interpreter, or emergency service when appropriate.

CONCEPT 06

Social media

Privacy settings reduce exposure but cannot control screenshots or information shared by others. Review tags, check-ins, old posts, mutual contacts, and whether public responses could increase contact.

Private reflection options

  • Information that reveals routines
  • People who can avoid tagging me
  • A reporting or boundary plan

Write only what is safe to keep. Skip, adapt, pause, or use a trained advocate, attorney, licensed provider, qualified interpreter, or emergency service when appropriate.

CONCEPT 07

Impersonation

Preserve the URL, handle, screenshots, dates, messages, platform reports, and impacts. Tell trusted contacts how to verify communication. Avoid posting private identity documents publicly.

Private reflection options

  • How others can verify me
  • What the false account is doing
  • Platforms or institutions to notify

Write only what is safe to keep. Skip, adapt, pause, or use a trained advocate, attorney, licensed provider, qualified interpreter, or emergency service when appropriate.

CONCEPT 08

Digital evidence

Capture full context when safe: URL, username, date/time, thread, headers, metadata, and how content arrived. Keep an unchanged original and working copy. Ask about admissibility and recording laws.

Private reflection options

  • Original source and date
  • Protected storage
  • A factual naming method

Write only what is safe to keep. Skip, adapt, pause, or use a trained advocate, attorney, licensed provider, qualified interpreter, or emergency service when appropriate.

CONCEPT 09

Digital recovery map

Prioritize accounts that unlock others: primary email, carrier, financial accounts, device account, and password manager. Record what changed, when, and from which safer device.

Private reflection options

  • First three accounts
  • Professional support needed
  • Check-in plan after changes

Write only what is safe to keep. Skip, adapt, pause, or use a trained advocate, attorney, licensed provider, qualified interpreter, or emergency service when appropriate.

Live support and accurate local guidance

Immediate danger

Call 911 in the U.S. or Canada for immediate danger or medical emergency.

Call 911

Mental-health crisis

Call or text 988 in the U.S. or Canada. Service and emergency-response practices vary.

Call 988

Relationship-abuse support

U.S. National Domestic Violence Hotline: 800-799-SAFE, text START to 88788, or thehotline.org.

Open The Hotline