Protective Group

10/06/2026

09/06/2026

In domestic violence situations, a perpetrator may use language and technology to increase dependence, confusion and isolation. They may control what information is shared, monitor devices, or pressure the person to rely on them to “translate” important messages, documents or online activity.

Technology abuse can make this even harder, especially when someone is not fully confident navigating apps, settings, accounts or privacy controls in English.

This is why language accessible, trauma-informed support matters so much.

Protective Group recommend:
• using professional interpreters where safe
• not relying on a partner or family member to translate
• providing information in the person’s preferred language where possible
• understanding that technology can be used as a tool of abuse
• responding with care, patience, and without judgment

If using a safe device always ensure the most appropriate language is prioritised to ensure help the user reach assistance as quickly as possible when needed.
Language barriers do not cause abuse. The abuse is always the responsibility of the person using violence.

In Australia, 1800RESPECT service is available for people who do not speak English or who prefer to speak through an interpreter and provides interpreter access through TIS on 13 14 50. 1800RESPECT has also published service information in 37 languages.

Visit protectivegroup.com.au/safety-tips/ for more safety tips.

If you are concerned about yourself, family member or friend please call:
Australia: 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) for support services or if in danger now call 000.
New Zealand: 0800 733 843 or if in danger now call 111.

29/05/2026

For many victim-survivors, distance, limited services, isolation, and the realities of living in a small town can create extra barriers to getting help safely. In some communities, there may be concerns about privacy, especially when local police, health workers, or support services may know both the victim and the perpetrator. This can make reaching out feel even harder.

That is why safety planning in rural and remote areas often needs some extra thought.

Protective Group recommend:
• Having a safe place to go while waiting for police, such as a trusted friend, neighbour, or public location
• Considering leaving the local area for a period of time, even if a protection order is in place
• Making a plan with someone trusted who can provide transport quickly if needed
• Speaking with police about whether they can assist with safely leaving the home
• Being aware of any fi****ms, knives, or other weapons in or around the property
• Keeping a vehicle fuelled and ready in case urgent travel is needed
• Knowing where safe homes or neighbours are along your route if you need immediate help
• Staying alert when entering or leaving a refuge, particularly in smaller communities where locations may be more easily known
• Considering temporary refuge outside your local area for added safety

For friends and family, your support can make a real difference. Offering to stay available for a text or call, keeping your phone close and charged, and being ready to assist with transport in an emergency may help someone feel less alone.

Visit protectivegroup.com.au/safety-tips/ for more safety tips.

If you are concerned about yourself, family member or friend please call:
Australia: 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) for support services or if in danger now call 000.
New Zealand: 0800 733 843 or if in danger now call 111.

16/04/2026

When on holiday's it is important to check if your photos are being automatically backed up or shared to cloud accounts, family albums or shared devices.

Photos can automatically upload to iCloud, Google Photos, shared family accounts, tablets, laptops, smart displays and other linked devices without much thought. In some situations, this can reveal where someone is staying, who they are with, what they are doing and places they have visited.

This is especially important for victim-survivors because privacy risks are not limited to social media posts.

It is also important to remember that screenshots are photos too. If a person takes a screenshot of accommodation details, booking confirmations, maps, messages, safety plans, travel tickets or children’s arrangements, that screenshot may also automatically back up and sync just like any other image.

Protective Group recommend:
• check which cloud account your phone is signed into
• review whether photos and screenshots are automatically backing up
• look at whether images are syncing to shared albums, family accounts, tablets, laptops or smart displays
• check whether location data is attached to photos
• be mindful of screenshots that contain addresses, bookings, tickets, conversations or safety information
• review children’s devices as well, because their phones or tablets may also sync photos and screenshots
• where safe, remove access to old, shared accounts or devices that no longer need to be connected

A simple check of photo, screenshot and cloud settings before travelling can help protect privacy, location and peace of mind.

Visit protectivegroup.com.au/safety-tips/ for more safety tips.

If you are concerned about yourself, family member or friend please call:
Australia: 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) for support services or if in danger now call 000.
New Zealand: 0800 733 843 or if in danger now call 111.

12/04/2026

A holiday should feel like a chance to rest, not another source of worry. But for some people, especially those experiencing domestic violence, travel can create new privacy and safety risks that are easy to overlook.

One simple but important step is to make sure you sign out of YouTube, streaming apps, Google accounts and any other personal accounts on hotel, Airbnb or shared smart TVs before you leave.

If you stay signed in, the next person may be able to see your account name, viewing history, saved profiles, linked devices or even cast content from your phone.
In some situations, this can reveal personal information, routines or locations.

Protective Group recommend while you are away:
• sign out of smart TVs, tablets, speakers and shared computers before checkout
• avoid saving passwords on holiday accommodation devices
• check that your phone, photos and apps are not sharing your location unnecessarily
• be careful when posting in real time, as holiday photos and stories can reveal where you are staying
• review Bluetooth connections, AirDrop settings and device sharing settings in case your device is visible to others nearby
• use a strong phone passcode and turn on multi-factor authentication for key accounts
• be mindful of hire cars, smart home devices or accommodation apps that may collect location or access information
• where possible, use your own charger and charging cable rather than public charging stations

Safety is often about the little things. Before you leave your accommodation, it can help to do one last check: sign out, disconnect, review settings, and take your privacy with you.

Visit protectivegroup.com.au/safety-tips/ for more safety tips.

If you are concerned about yourself, family member or friend please call:
Australia: 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) for support services or if in danger now call 000.
New Zealand: 0800 733 843 or if in danger now call 111.

11/04/2026

Child handover may be more common during school holidays. It can be one of the most stressful, emotionally difficult, and unpredictable parts of domestic violence. For many victim-survivors, it is not simply a parenting arrangement. It can be a moment where fear, tension, and coercive control are felt most strongly.

When the person collecting or returning the children is also the person using violence or abuse, handover can feel overwhelming for both the parent and the children. They may be worried about what will be said, how the interaction will unfold, whether emotions will escalate, or how the children will be affected before, during, and after the exchange.

Protective Group recommends:
• where possible, choose a public place with visibility rather than a private home
• consider whether a trusted friend, family member, or support person can attend with you or manage the handover on your behalf
• keep the interaction brief, practical, and focused on the children
• where possible, avoid discussing conflict, parenting disputes, or personal matters during handover
• think ahead about where you will park, where you will stand, and how you will leave safely afterwards
• if appropriate, consider arrangements that reduce direct contact, such as school pickup and drop-off
• if children are feeling anxious, think about simple ways to support their emotional safety before and after the exchange
• trust your instincts and include handover planning as part of a broader safety plan

Most importantly, the safety and well-being of both the parent and the children should always come first.

Visit protectivegroup.com.au/safety-tips/ for more safety tips.

If you are concerned about yourself, your family member, or your friend, please call:
Australia: 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) for support services or if in danger now call 000.
New Zealand: 0800 733 843 or if in danger now call 111.

10/04/2026

During holidays it can be an especially important time to think about safety, particularly for anyone who may be away from their home, routine, or usual support network.

Travel, family time, and school holiday plans can bring added pressure, and for some people they can also increase vulnerability. While no one should have to live this way, a few small safety steps can help create a little more control in a difficult situation.

Protective Group recommend:
• keep your phone with you at all times, along with some money if it is safe to do so
• if you have a back-up phone, make sure it is charged and ready to use, and that there is credit available if it is pre-paid
• if travelling interstate, be aware of local domestic violence support services and important contact numbers
• if travelling internationally, learn or save the local emergency number before you go
• if children are travelling with you, consider keeping extra copies of important documents for both you and them in a safe place
• where possible, a trusted friend or family member may be able to safely hold copies as an added backup

School holidays can also be a time to quietly check in on people you care about.

If you are worried about a friend or family member experiencing domestic violence, letting them know you are there, keeping your phone close, and being ready to respond if they reach out can make a real difference. Sometimes safety starts with one person being aware, available and calm in a moment of need.

Visit protectivegroup.com.au/safety-tips/ for more safety tips.

If you are concerned about yourself, family member or friend please call:
Australia: 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) for support services or if in danger now call 000.
New Zealand: 0800 733 843 or if in danger now call 111.

08/04/2026

Technology helps us stay connected, work, learn and manage our lives. But it can also be misused to monitor, control, threaten and intimidate.

That is the reality of technology-facilitated abuse, and it is becoming an increasingly common feature of family, domestic and sexual violence.

This is why it must be understood not only as a response issue, but as a prevention issue too. It reflects the same attitudes of control, entitlement and disrespect that drive other forms of abuse.

Join White Ribbon Australia online for an important event on technology-facilitated abuse, presented by Claire Hurst, alongside Stephen Wilson, CEO of Protective Group and Jenny Moore, Technology Strategist from Microsoft.

Together, they will unpack how everyday technology can be misused, share real-life examples, and provide practical ways to strengthen safety, respond early and seek support.

Book your place now: https://events.humanitix.com/white-ribbon-australia-tfa

08/04/2026

During school holidays a victim of violence may work from home.

A perpetrator may monitor calls, overhear meetings, check devices, control movement, or use the home environment to intimidate and isolate. In this situation safety must always come before productivity.

This is why it is so important for workplaces to understand that domestic violence can affect employees even during the workday, including while working remotely. Supportive employers can make a meaningful difference by responding with care, protecting privacy, and helping put practical safety measures in place.

For victim-survivors, a simple and personalised workplace safety plan can help create more structure, support, and safer options.

Protective Group suggest a safety plan for someone working from home include:
• one trusted workplace contact
• a safe phone number or email to use
• agreed check-in times during the day
• a plan for what to do if a call or meeting becomes unsafe
• an alternative work location if home is no longer safe
• access to family and domestic violence leave if needed
• a code word or phrase to discreetly signal urgent help
• guidance on what not to leave visible in the workspace, such as documents, diaries or support information

Every situation is different and there is no one-size-fits-all approach. What matters most is that the person feels heard, supported and safe and that any plan is tailored to their individual circumstances and level of risk.

Sometimes small practical steps, combined with a compassionate workplace response can make a very big difference.

Visit protectivegroup.com.au/safety-tips/ for more safety tips.

If you are concerned about yourself, family member or friend please call:
Australia: 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) for support services or if in danger now call 000.
New Zealand: 0800 733 843 or if in danger now call 111.

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07/04/2026

When people are travelling, it is very common to connect to hotel Wi-Fi, airport internet, café networks, accommodation smart TVs, or shared computers in reception areas and business centres.

But for victim-survivors, these everyday moments can create extra privacy and safety risks.

Public Wi-Fi networks are often convenient, but they are not always private. Shared devices may also save browser history, login details, autofill information, account sessions or recent activity without the user realising it. Even something as simple as opening an email account on a shared computer, logging into a travel app on a hotel tablet, or forgetting to sign out of a browser can leave behind information that reveals more than expected.

This may include personal emails, saved addresses, booking confirmations, travel dates, recent searches, account recovery details, contact information, or clues about where someone is staying and where they may be going next.

Protective Group recommend:
• avoid logging into sensitive accounts on shared computers where possible
• use your own device rather than public devices for email, banking and important accounts
• sign out fully after using websites or apps, especially on accommodation or public devices
• avoid saving passwords in browsers on devices that are not your own
• be cautious when using public Wi-Fi for sensitive logins or personal communications
• use multi-factor authentication on important accounts
• check your recent account activity if you are worried an account has been accessed

For many victim-survivors, holiday safety is not only about physical surroundings. It is also about protecting personal information, account access and privacy while away from home.

Visit protectivegroup.com.au/safety-tips/ for more safety tips.

If you are concerned about yourself, family member or friend please call:
Australia: 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) for support services or if in danger now call 000.
New Zealand: 0800 733 843 or if in danger now call 111.