Checking out technology within the context of intimate partner physical violence, intimate assault, and physical physical violence against females

Selecting an electronic Services Platform

The first step is to consider which type of tool is best suited to the service you want to provide, and how using that platform may impact security, privacy, and safety in choosing a digital services platform. The questions that are following benefit this technique:

Does the working platform meet up with the need you may lovestruck be wanting to address?

Some technologies tend to be more fitted to a type that is specific of or solution. For instance, text messaging, which can be generally speaking designed to be one-on-one, wouldn’t be a good fit for a help team.

May be the platform available to survivors?

Usually do not assume that every survivors should be able to make use of all technology platforms. a therapy session that meets via movie call will help remote survivors link; but, survivors in an area that is rural poor internet connectivity is almost certainly not in a position to access the session. Opt for a platform that the survivors you use should be able to access.

Does the platform enhance privacy or security dangers?

No online platform is free of all danger, however some tools lack the minimal amount of privacy and safety suitable for the solution to be had. For instance, social networking is certainly not a personal or protected platform to facilitate support groups.

Platforms for Hotlines and Crisis Response

Utilizing txt messaging, on line chat, or video calls to provide crisis and hotline solutions increases victims’ access to advocacy and help. Some survivors choose interacting over texting or online talk instead than telephone calls or feel safer or maybe more personal texting or chatting online than talking aloud if somebody else is nearby. All three kinds of platforms may open communication alternatives for survivors with disabilities or who’ve language access requirements. Many Deaf survivors prefer text, talk, or movie calls over TTY or relay solutions.

Listed here are some considerations that are additional to txt messaging, on line chat, and movie calls when utilized to supply hotline and crisis solutions.

Texting & Messaging

A plus of texting or texting is the fact that it is a familiar method to communicate, and all sorts of cell phones have actually a texting application so survivors don’t need to down load a split software.

A fundamental approach is to utilize a mobile phone to text with survivors. But, this technique could be challenging when utilized as being a hotline service, as it calls for one advocate to juggle multiple text conversations on a device that is single. It is really not equipped for triaging hotline calls. A much better alternative is for programs to utilize a computer-based messaging platform that allows numerous staff to triage, assign, and respond to communications that can come in.

Text conversations can make privacy and security risks in cases where a survivor’s device is being monitored or accessed by somebody else. Unlike a sound call, text conversations protect a written record of this conversation that is entire frequently saved from the unit until they truly are manually deleted. Some texting that is computer-based can delete message history in the system side by standard, but texts in the survivor’s device is not erased unless done this by the survivor. Advocates should inform survivors about dangers before you start a sensitive and painful discussion over text.

To find out more about texting and messaging with survivors, including recommendations, see Texting & Messaging with Survivors: guidelines.

On The Web Chat

On the web chat is another platform used to provide hotline services. Generally speaking, survivors access the working platform when you go to a program’s site and starting a discussion through the online talk website link. This system then runs on the chat that is computer-based to react.

Including a chat platform to your site permits a survivor to effortlessly connect to your system. You can even upload information ahead of the survivor initiates a discussion (such as for example solution hours or disruptions operating) and connect to helpful resources.

On the web chat is much more protected than txt messaging due to the technology it self and because conversations are generally perhaps not immediately kept on the unit. In many situations, after an internet chat conversation has ended, a brief history of the conversation will recede through the device that is survivor’seven though it could be feasible that the survivor’s device had been monitored by spyware — see Who’s Spying on Your Computer? Spyware, Surveillance, and protection for Survivors to find out more). Keep in mind – privacy and security should never be guaranteed.

To get more information about on line chat with survivors, including guidelines, see Chat Best Practices.

Movie Calls

Movie phone calls can also be employed for hotline and crisis solutions. Videos provide a lot more of an in-person feel, and will provide artistic and sound cues which will help advocates assess for mood and tone. It will help minmise miscommunication when comparing to texting or chatting that is online. Numerous movie platforms also allow it to be very easy to include third-party interpreters that are live. This could easily increase accessibility for victims that are Deaf, difficult of hearing, or talk various languages than the advocate supplying the solution.

Whenever video that is considering it is vital to communicate with survivors concerning the safety of the devices and environments. Regardless of if their unit is safe, their conversations could possibly be overheard by some other person when you look at the area, such as the person that is abusive. In addition, some survivors may not have usage of the world wide web cell or bandwidth network necessary for a video clip call.

To learn more about movie phone phone calls with survivors, including recommendations, see Video Call recommendations.