SILS Addresses Domestic Violence and Technology

An October 30th conference organized by Staten Island Legal Services (a
program of Legal Services NYC) addressed the connection between
domestic violence and technology: how technology can be used and abused
to harass, stalk, monitor and control domestic violence survivors.
Alicia Simpson, a staff attorney in SILS' Family Law Unit, was a
panelist at the event.

The event was organized by SILS social worker Claire McCue. The Ocotber 31st issue of the Staten Island Advance has the story:

"Technology doesn't cause abuse . . . but it can be used to maintain power and control over the victim," said Alicia T. Simpson, an attorney for the family law and domestic violence unit of Staten Island Legal Services, which provides assistance to victims of abuse. "It's not all bad."

Ms. Simpson and other speakers gave presentations and practical tips for victims and advocates.

For example, those in abusive relationships should change computer passwords to prevent the partner from accessing e-mail, or bank accounts, advised Sarah DeWard, M.S., a training and membership services associate for the New York State Coalition Against Domestic Violence.

Victims in the same household as a potential abuser should consider using a "safer" computer at another location, she said. In some cases, for example, an abuser can easily tell what Web sites a person has been visiting, or what searches have been done on the computer. Using a different computer for any potentially sensitive communication eliminates that possibility.

Ms. DeWard also advised using the maximum privacy settings with social networking sites such as MySpace and Facebook. She warned that even if an abuser has been removed from a "friend" list, he still might be able to access the information that has been posted by using the computer of a third party who still has "friend" access.

Read the full article here.