NARALO ALS Outreach

Cynthia Fraser, Consultant on International Technology Safety, National Network to End Domestic Violence 
The Safety Net Project and the Impacts of Surveillance and Identification on Victims of Abuse

Technology helps victims and their children successfully flee violent batterers, stalkers and rapists. Survivors map roads to new lives on the web by reaching out to shelters and hotlines, researching restraining orders and address confidentiality programs, and finding housing, employment opportunities, new schools and online support. But what millions don't realize is the dangerous and potentially lethal sides of various technologies in the hands of abusers and perpetrators, who will use the personal information they find through these technologies to invade the privacy of their victims.

The Safety Net Project works with communities and agencies to address how ongoing and emerging technology issues impact the privacy, safety and accessibility rights of victims of domestic violence, sexual violence and stalking. It also educates victims, their advocates and the general public on ways to use technology strategically to help find safety and escape domestic violence, dating violence, sexual violence, stalking and abuse. Finally, the Project trains law enforcement and justice systems, social services, coordinated community response teams and others how to hold perpetrators accountable for misusing technology.