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Practical safety-planning steps for clinicians working with survivors of tech-facilitated abuse
Summary
Panelists outlined concrete, low-tech safety steps for clinicians, including intake screening, tech-ecosystem mapping, account audits, two-factor authentication, AirTag handling guidance and referral sources such as SPARC and the NNEDV Safety Net Project.
Behavioral-health providers at a federal webinar were given step-by-step approaches to safety planning for clients experiencing technology-facilitated abuse.
Dr. Morgan PettyJohn recommended individualized, person-centered digital safety plans that preserve a client's access to needed technology while mitigating harm. "The overall purpose of digital safety planning should be to help clients minimize or eliminate harm, while still maintaining access to the tech that they need for connection, employment and safety," PettyJohn said.
Practical steps discussed included mapping a client's tech ecosystem—listing devices, who purchased or controls each device, and which accounts have administrative access. PettyJohn advised providers to flag apps with location capabilities and to map children’s devices when relevant.
Adam Dodge highlighted basic cybersecurity measures that can materially reduce risk: strong password management, two-factor authentication and periodic audits of logged-in devices. He also encouraged educating clients about modern scams and video-catfishing tactics.
On AirTag-like trackers, PettyJohn said survivors should avoid immediately destroying a found tracker because that can reveal a final location; instead, travel to a neutral public place or police station before disabling it.
Resources recommended by panelists for technical and advocacy support included SPARC (Stalking Prevention Awareness Resource Center) and the National Network to End Domestic Violence’s Safety Net Project. Providers were advised to document evidence safely if clients choose to engage law enforcement, noting that some platforms now design messages to disappear or be altered.
Panelists stressed that providers do not need to be technical experts to offer these supports: basic mapping, safety checks and referrals to specialized digital-safety resources can substantially improve survivor safety.
