Exploring technology safety in the context of intimate partner violence, sexual assault, and violence against women.
Managed by the Safety Net Project at the National Network to End Domestic Violence (NNEDV), this blog explores the intersection between technology, intimate partner violence, sexual assault, and violence against women.
Safety Net focuses on the intersection of technology and abuse, and we work to address how that abuse impacts the safety, privacy, accessibility, and civil rights of survivors. Our team provides expert training and technical assistance, creates and disseminates resources, and influences conversations on technology abuse and safety globally. Safety Net is a project of the National Network to End Domestic Violence.
January is National Stalking Awareness Month and January 28 is Data Privacy Day. In observance of these, we recognize four pillars to ensuring both survivors’ and the general population’s well-being: Safety, Privacy, Security, and Access. These guide our work every day in helping to achieve technology safety for all. While they go hand-in-hand, we’ll look at each one below.
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NNEDV Staff and Presenters at Tech Summit 2019
Tech Summit 2019 was a blast from the past. With the 1980’s as the guiding theme, this year’s conference centered the week on building on the past to enhance the future. We used the art of storytelling to remind programs about how powerful survivor stories are, while honoring their right to choose, when, how, and with whom they share their stories.
While a lot has changed with how we engage with technology much still remains the same. This year, as a theme, we decided to go retro and brought in elements from the ‘80’s to incorporate a fun vibe to the conference while maintaining the core tenets of tech safety. Below are some highlights from the 2019 Technology Summit:
1. “My Story, My Choice”: Storytelling was a resonating theme throughout the course of the conference. Survivor Ferial Nijiem, shared her impactful and prevailing story of the abuse she experienced that included the misuse of smart home technology . Ferial’s call to action to advocates, law enforcement, and other criminal justice professionals was simply put: “Believe survivors, even when their story sounds hard to believe!” If we start by believing, we can ensure that survivors are heard and that they receive the resources and support they deserve, especially when technology is involved.
2.“Jane Stop This Crazy Thing”: This year marked the 7th Technology Summit, all following 10 years of annual Training of Trainers conferences. The team endeavored to provide foundational information rooted in the history of advocacy, while updating materials to reflect the changing of times and technology. The Safety Net Team worked hard to revise our fundamental and foundational content in order to present it in a thoughtful way for new and returning attendees. We provided new and interesting resources, while challenging attendees to remember that technology will never replace good old-fashioned advocacy.
3. “Time After Time”: Each year we bring in expert presenters from throughout the country to share their knowledge on tech-facilitated abuse. Law enforcement, court officials, and advocates learned about new models, skills, and techniques that they could implement to support survivors in their home state, territory, or tribal community. From deepfakes to the gig economy, HUD comparable databases to developing a community-based tech clinic, and so much more, our presenters provided relevant and useful information on working with survivors who are experiencing tech misuse.
Time after time, the presenters who participate in our tech summit, show their passion and dedication to this work, and we could not provide this conference without their expertise.
4. “Flashdance: What a Feeling!”: Day one of the conference opened strong with our welcome reception. Attendees had the opportunity to network, visit opt-out stations to remove their data from websites, take a Polaroid picture, and play 80’s themed arcade games while listening to throwback jams.
Our closed-door Women of Color Reception provided space for allied professionals to discuss how digital storytelling has and can be integral to our healing journey. Participants discussed how traditional forms of storytelling has now transformed to digital platforms and methods. Finding your voice and sharing your story are substantial forms of healing and while doing so, it is important to practice self-care.
Furthermore, feelings of excitement and anticipation were in the air as we announced that Tech Summit 2020 will be held in Washington, DC! Bringing this conference home next year will allow more professionals on the east coast to gain access to this important information and allow mid-west and west coast attendees to visit the Nation’s Capital. Stay tuned for call for proposals, updates and more!
Tech Summit is one of the biggest undertakings of the Safety Net Team and it would not be as large and successful without the attendees, presenters, funders, and staff who make it all possible. Thank you all.
Read about our 2019 sessions and more in our Program Book.
Until 2020, Cowabunga Dude!
The Safety Net Team
Advocates are saying:
“Some survivors don’t reach out because they’re worried about mandated reporting requirements. This gets in the way of us being able to help.”
“What if no one on staff speaks the survivor’s language? How do we find a translator they feel safe with? And what agreements should be in place to protect victims’ privacy?”
“We get pressure from our community partners to share victim information. When we don’t, they get frustrated and that makes collaboration difficult.”
“We don’t have a policy for how to handle confidentiality obligations if there’s an emergency at our shelter.”
Is your agency facing similar difficulties?
Mark your calendar and join us September 9th & 10th in Atlanta, GA for the 2019 National Confidentiality Conference – Strictly Confidential: Protecting Survivor Privacy in Federally Funded Programs!
This training, provided by the National Network to End Domestic Violence and The Confidentiality Institute will help you, as victim service providers, navigate complex federal confidentiality obligations, through in-depth analysis, peer sharing, and scenario problem solving. Participants will explore the many layers of privacy, confidentiality obligations, and technology in a tangible way. Learn how to implement best practices related to privacy and confidentiality while providing survivor-centered services, and how to build strategic relationships with community partners, while respecting your information sharing limitations.
The conference will cover a variety of topics including:
Mandated reporting
Community collaborations
Upholding confidentiality in emergency situations
Navigating language access and confidentiality
Handling official third party demands for survivor information
Selecting and using databases
Agency use of technology
Implementing survivor-centered best practices
Attendees will gain a deeper understanding of these issues and will be given resources and tools to better serve survivors. Click this link for a copy of the full agenda.
Can’t wait to see you there!
This conference is OVW approved.
Please contact us with any questions.
Managed by the Safety Net Project at the National Network to End Domestic Violence (NNEDV), this blog explores the intersection of technology and privacy and intimate partner violence, sexual assault and violence against women.
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