Safety Planning & Protection

Stalking and relationship violence can affect people in many different ways. Warning signs may include:

• Being followed, monitored, or repeatedly watched
• Receiving unwanted or threatening calls, emails, messages, letters, or gifts
• Damage to or tampering with your car, bicycle, home, workplace, or personal belongings
• Seeing the person in places you regularly visit, such as your neighborhood, workplace, school, or other frequented locations
• Threats directed toward you, your loved ones, your children, or your pets
• Actions intended to intimidate, control, or cause fear

Some situations may involve an increased risk of harm, particularly if the person has access to weapons, has threatened to harm themselves or others, has a history of violence, or has previously committed physical or sexual violence.

If you are concerned about your safety, trust your instincts. Center for Survivors advocates can help you assess your situation, explore options, and develop a personalized safety plan that supports your needs and goals.

Every situation is different, and there is no single approach that works for everyone. The following options may help increase safety and support your well-being:

• Call 911 if you are in immediate danger or need urgent assistance.
• Trust your instincts. If a situation feels unsafe or concerning, take those feelings seriously.
• Seek support. Connecting with a confidential advocate can help you explore options, understand available resources, and create a personalized safety plan.
• Develop a safety plan. Consider strategies that may increase your safety at home, work, school, online, or in the community. Plans may include adjusting routines, identifying safe places, and determining who can support you in an emergency.
• Document concerning behavior. Saving emails, text messages, social media communications, voicemails, photos, or other evidence may be helpful if you choose to report the behavior or pursue protective measures.
• Consider reporting to law enforcement. Reporting incidents can create documentation of what has occurred and may support future legal or safety-related actions.
• Explore protective measures. Options such as a Personal Protection Order (PPO), workplace or academic accommodations, and other safety measures may be available depending on your situation.
• Build a support network. Sharing information with trusted friends, family members, roommates, coworkers, or others can help increase safety and provide additional support.
• Notify relevant offices or security personnel. If you feel comfortable doing so, informing workplace, campus, housing, or security staff may help them better support your safety.

Center for Survivors advocates can help you assess your situation, explore your options, and develop a plan that aligns with your needs, priorities, and goals. To learn more or schedule a confidential appointment, email general@msu.edu.

MSU People Search is an online directory that includes contact information for students, faculty, staff, retirees, and other individuals affiliated with the university. Some individuals choose to restrict their directory information, which limits what can be displayed in search results.

If you have concerns about privacy or safety, you may be able to restrict the information that appears in MSU People Search. Changes to directory information may take several business days to appear in the system.

For assistance with updating or restricting your directory information, contact the MSU IT Service Desk. Center for Survivors advocates can also help you explore privacy and safety strategies that may support your individual circumstances.

Students:

• Students may wish to restrict all or part of the directory information. Refer to Student Rights Under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).

Faculty/Staff/Retiree:

• Personal information, including distinguishing between legal and professional name, can be changed at the EBS Portal.
• Can employees change their own business address or phone number information? No, a Unit Administrator must make the change. Employees can change their own personal (home) addresses and phone number through EBS but can only view their business address information.

Technology can help you stay connected, access support, and enhance your safety. However, it can also be misused to monitor, control, intimidate, or harass others.

Technology-facilitated abuse may include:

• Unwanted calls, texts, emails, or messages
• Online harassment, threats, or intimidation
• Creating fake accounts or impersonating someone
• Demanding passwords or access to personal accounts
• Monitoring phone activity, internet use, or communications
• Tracking someone's location through apps, devices, or location-sharing features
• Taking, sharing, or threatening to share intimate images without consent
• Using cameras, smart devices, or social media to monitor someone

If you are concerned that technology is being used to monitor, control, or harass you, support is available. Center for Survivors advocates can help you explore options and develop a personalized safety plan.

Email and internet-based communication can be important tools for staying connected with trusted friends, family members, advocates, and support services. If someone has access to your devices, passwords, or accounts, your online activity may not be private.

To increase privacy, consider:

• Using strong, unique passwords
• Enabling multi-factor authentication
• Reviewing account recovery information and connected devices
• Using trusted devices and secure internet connections
• Regularly reviewing browser, account, and privacy settings

You may also wish to explore browser privacy tools, private browsing options, and methods for managing stored internet history.

For additional guidance, review the National Network to End Domestic Violence's Technology Safety Plan resource::

Technology Safety Plan

Whenever you browse online, a digital footprint is created which maps out your online history such as websites visited, or anything searched. Online history is easily viewable to anyone with access to your cell phone, computer, tablet, laptop, etc. Clearing the history, and emptying the cache file of saved information can be done in a few steps and is a great way to prevent being tracked. Click to view information specific to various types of browsers.

Smartphones, tablets, and other connected devices may collect information about your location, communications, and device activity.

Consider reviewing:

• Device passcodes and security settings
• Location-sharing and location services
• App permissions and connected accounts
• Account login activity
• Unfamiliar apps or settings you did not install or change

If you believe someone may have access to your device or personal information without your permission, documenting concerns and seeking support can help you identify the safest next steps.

The following strategies may help protect your privacy and reduce unwanted monitoring:

• Use devices that you believe are secure.
• Create strong passwords and update them regularly.
• Review security questions and account recovery settings.
• Save evidence of concerning messages, emails, photos, videos, or online interactions.
• Be thoughtful about sharing your location online.
• Review privacy settings on social media and other online accounts.
• Ask friends and family to respect your privacy before posting photos, tagging locations, or sharing personal information.
• Use trusted devices and secure internet connections when researching safety-related topics.
• Regularly review device permissions, connected accounts, and app settings.

Every situation is unique. The safest option depends on your individual circumstances and goals. Center for Survivors advocates can help you assess concerns, explore options, and create a personalized technology safety plan.

To connect with a confidential advocate, email general@msu.edu.