Support for those experiencing disordered eating, often co-occurring with abusive relationships.
Digital safety
Protecting yourself online.
If someone monitors your devices, your online activity is not private. These steps can help protect you while you seek support.
After visiting any site for help, clear your browser history. On most phones: Settings → Safari/Chrome → Clear History and Website Data. On desktop: Ctrl+Shift+Delete (Windows) or Cmd+Shift+Delete (Mac). You can also open an Incognito/Private window before searching — this leaves no history automatically.
If your partner has access to your phone, use a device they don't check — a library computer, a friend's phone, or a work device. You can also use a private browsing window. The National DV Hotline website has a quick-exit button that immediately redirects to a neutral site.
Check your phone's location sharing settings. Review which apps have location access. If you suspect spyware, the National DV Hotline has a technology safety team — call or text 1-800-799-7233 and ask specifically about tech safety. Do not factory reset your phone without advice, as this can alert an abuser who monitors remotely.
Screenshot concerning messages and email them to an account your partner doesn't know about — not your main email if they have access. You can also upload screenshots to a Google Drive folder with a neutral name using a new account. Date and note the context for each screenshot. Tether can help you analyze and document patterns for legal purposes.
A safety plan is a personalized guide for staying safer while still in the relationship, or when leaving. It typically includes: trusted contacts who know your situation, a bag with essentials (ID, medications, documents), a code word with a friend or family member, a plan for where to go, and local shelter information. The National DV Hotline can help you build one.