For many victims of domestic violence, contacting an attorney is an important step toward protecting themselves and their children. Unfortunately, it can also be a difficult step when an abusive partner closely monitors phone calls, text messages, emails, social media accounts or internet activity. Thinking about safety before reaching out for legal help can reduce the risk of retaliation and help preserve privacy.
To that end, if you are in danger, make sure that you wipe your browser’s history after reading this post.
Reaching out safely
If possible, use a device to make contact that an abusive person cannot access. A trusted friend’s phone, a work computer, a public library computer or another secure device may provide a safer way to research attorneys and schedule consultations. Be aware that shared devices may store browsing history, saved passwords and other information that could reveal your plans.
Also, don’t overlook location-sharing services. Smartphones, vehicle apps, family tracking applications and social media platforms may disclose a person’s whereabouts. Reviewing privacy settings and disabling unnecessary location sharing can help reduce the risk of being monitored.
Consider creating a new email account that the abusive individual at issue does not know about. Use a strong password and avoid saving login information on shared devices. When communicating with an attorney, let the law firm know the safest way to contact you and whether voicemail messages, text messages or emails are safe to send.
Some victims choose to contact an attorney while the other party is at work, traveling or otherwise unable to monitor their activities. Others prefer to arrange meetings in locations that will not raise suspicion.
Most importantly, do not take unnecessary risks. Every domestic violence situation is different, and what is safe for one person may not be safe for another. Seeking legal guidance is important, but only when done so safely.