Don't Be Financially Abused...

Did you know? There's another abuse of another kind you may not be aware of: Financial Abuse. What is it? 

It means having no access to the family's money. The woman may live in a comfortable house, wear good clothing, have children who are well-equipped with toys and luxuries, but have no control over what is spent or saved, over what moneys come into the family, or over any decisions about what will be bought. She is allowed no money for personal use.

From what I understand and read, it can can occur in any marriage and is often ignored because no physical harm is involved. This financial abuse is rarely discussed in therapy circles because it takes a back seat to physical, verbal or sexual abuse. Suffice it to say it can still be just as emotionally devastating to a woman.

Imagine your friend, a once vibrant woman who, when single, had a good corporate job, earned an excellent salary and had the respect of her colleagues at work. One day she meets the man of her dreams and falls in love. They get married, but little does she know that he wants her to stay home and be a full-time homemaker. She becomes pregnant even if she isn't ready to be a mother. Deep down, she feels that she is happiest when pursuing her career.

What are the signs?

• Telling his wife to quit her job so she can stay home and take care of the kids.
• Confiscating his wife's assets and other financial resources and forbidding her from handling money or incurring expenses that he does not allow.
• Using his wife's financial assets to his advantage and depriving her of her rights to enjoy what is financially and rightfully hers.
• Taking away his wife's credit cards and providing only a sufficient amount of money to pay for the day-to-day.

A variation of this economic abuse is also apparent in a relationship where the husband allows his wife to work, but regains control of her pay checque and does not give her the opportunity to make any financial decisions.

Are you in a marriage or relationship, or know of others suffering this abuse? There is a way out. Know your rights and ultimately, put yourself (and children if you have any) first. They'll learn by the lead and example you set. Be strong and if you have a daughter, would you want her to accept any less?

STROKE IS URGENT: The Heart and Stroke Foundation 2011 Stroke Report warns stroke awareness is dangerously low among women

Foundation launches free Smartphone apps to help turn the tide for all Canadians

June 01, 2011

Ottawa – The Heart and Stroke Foundation 2011 Stroke Month Report warns that awareness levels of stroke warning signs and stroke prevention is dangerously low among all women, especially among women from Canada’s two largest visible minorities – people of Chinese and South Asian descent.

The Foundation polling found that women are not aware that stroke and heart disease is their leading cause of death:

• For Canadian women overall, 53 per cent are unable to identify that stroke and heart disease are their leading cause of death − and responsible for one in three deaths.¹
• For women of Chinese and South Asian origin, 84 per cent are unable to identify that stroke and heart disease are their leading cause of death.²

Awareness has improved steadily thanks to the Foundation's The Heart Truth campaign, which continues to inform and empower women to take action to reduce their risks. Before the campaign started three years ago, 68 per cent of women didn't know stroke and heart disease was their leading cause of death.³
“Heart disease and stroke are the leading cause of death in women,” says Heart and Stroke Foundation spokesperson, Dr. Frank Silver. “The real tragedy is that 80 per cent of strokes are preventable, whether you’re a man or a woman.”
Stroke affects women and men of all ages. More than 50,000 strokes occur in Canada every year – one every 10 minutes. About 300,000 Canadians live with the effects of stroke. According to the Heart and Stroke Foundation, more women than men die from stroke annually. In Canada stroke kills 32 per cent more women than men.

A previous analysis of Canadian deaths shows that stroke death rates are highest among women of Chinese origin, intermediate among women of South Asian origin, and lowest among women of European origin.
Women need better stroke detectors
Women’s awareness of stroke warning signs is poor. The Foundation poll found that only 53 per cent of South Asian women were able to correctly identify at least two of the five warning signs – lower than the overall Canadian average for women of 62 per cent.
When asked to identify at least three warning signs, only a third of all women polled could do so.

“Canadian women need to be better stroke detectors,” says Dr. Silver. “We need to do all we can to build awareness of the warning signs and help women reduce their risk from death or disability from stroke.”
HSF poll: women’s awareness of the stroke symptoms/warning signs

Stroke warning sign	Chinese women *March 2011	South Asian women *March 2011	All Canadian women **December 2009
Sudden loss of strength/numbness in face/arm/leg, even if temporary	48	37	50
Sudden difficulty speaking/understanding/confusion, even if temporary	30	24	42
Sudden loss of balance, especially with other signs	27	27	35
Sudden trouble with vision, even if temporary	18	16	28
Sudden severe/unusual headache	15	9	20
Don’t know/No answer	18	22	15

^{*Environics (March, 2011)
** Environics (December, 2009)}
“Stroke is urgent. Knowing and reacting immediately to stroke warning signs is essential,” says Dr. Silver, who notes that there is a treatment for strokes caused by blood clots, the most common type of stroke. This treatment must be administered within the first few hours of warning signs to be effective. “Canadians must react urgently to the warning signs by calling 9-1-1 or their local emergency number,” says Dr. Silver. 


Women underestimate their risk factors when it comes to strokeEqually concerning, 23 per cent of all women could not name even one risk factor for stroke. Only 29 per cent of Chinese women and 22 per cent of South Asian women identified high blood pressure, which is in fact the leading risk factor for stroke.
Women overall also had low awareness of stroke risk factors. For example, only 28 per cent recognized high blood pressure as a risk factor and only 20 per cent identified high cholesterol.
Following a lower-sodium diet and controlling high blood pressure, being physically active and smoke-free can significantly reduce stroke risk.

“The very face of our communities is changing. Heart disease and stroke are increasingly crossing age, gender, and ethnic lines,” says Dr. Silver.  “It’s important that Canadians of all ethnic backgrounds be aware of how to prevent stroke.”
HSF poll: women’s awareness of the stroke risk factors 

Stroke risk factor	Chinese women *March 2011	South Asian women *March 2011	All Canadian women **December 2009
High blood pressure (hypertension)	29	22	28
Smoking	9	9	23
High cholesterol levels	24	19	20
Obesity	12	12	15
Stress	11	25	11
Family history	16	5	11
Physical inactivity	22	15	9
Age	7	1	6
Heart disease	4	5	5
Diabetes	7	8	4
Excessive alcohol consumption	4	6	4
Don’t know/No answer	16	20	23

^{*Environics (March, 2011)
** Environics (December, 2009)}

There was even lower awareness of the other risk factors of stroke (gender, ethnicity, and personal history of stroke or TIA).
Foundation launches two stroke apps to help Canadians lower their risk
To help all Canadians lower their risk for stroke, the Heart and Stroke Foundation created two new free Smartphone apps that will allow them to make simple lifestyle changes – wherever they are.
“The digital age has created a new avenue for healthcare – and the Foundation is embracing the technology to support the health of Canadians,” says Dr. Marco Di Buono, spokesperson for the Foundation. “With a continued focus on reducing all risks, we can stop strokes from robbing us of valuable, quality years of life.”
The My Heart&Stroke Health Check Recipe Helper Smartphone app
By eating a diet that is lower in sodium, Canadians can prevent and control high blood pressure, the number one cause of stroke. The new My Heart&Stroke Health Check Recipe Helper app provides Canadians with a quick and easy resource to help lower the amount of sodium (salt) in their diets. The app features dozens of heart-healthy, lower-sodium recipes that come with grocery lists, main ingredient searches, and comprehensive nutrition information. Health Check™ is one way the Foundation helps Canadians make healthy choices and is based on Canada’s Food Guide.

A 2007 Heart and Stroke Foundation and Canadian Stroke Network study showed that reducing salt intake by half would eliminate high blood pressure in one million Canadians.

“Our Health Check registered dietitians selected these recipes based on strict criteria for the amount of sodium and fat content,” says Dr. Di Buono. “Canadians can trust that the recipes are healthy.” The recipes include a variety of options for salad, soup, vegetarian, meat, poultry, and seafood meals.
With the app, Canadians can create a grocery shopping list and rate their favourite recipes. It will be regularly updated with new recipes and features.

The My Heart&Stroke Blood Pressure Action Plan app
“High blood pressure − which is the leading cause of stroke − affects six million Canadians, and is known as the silent killer because of its lack of symptoms,” says Dr. Silver. “The good news is that with proper diagnosis and treatment of high blood pressure, you can cut your risk of stroke by up to 40 per cent.”
Developed by Foundation experts, the My Heart&Stroke Blood Pressure Action Plan app allows users to monitor and better manage their blood pressure. They will be able to assess their personal risk, track blood pressure readings over time, view graphs of blood pressure changes, share readings with their physicians, list their medications, set appointment reminders, and track their condition.
“The bottom line is that awareness of your risks, of the warning signs, and of prevention and treatment options are your best defences against stroke,” says Dr. Di Buono.
The free apps – which are available in English or French − can be downloaded at the Apple, Android, and BlackBerry app stores. Or Canadians can go to www.heartandstroke.ca/mobileapps.
Heart and Stroke Foundation helps Canadians turn the tide on stroke
The Heart and Stroke Foundation is a committed leader in stroke research, health promotion, and advocacy. The Foundation works on many fronts to help all Canadians live longer, healthier lives:

• The Heart TruthThe Foundation’s The Heart Truth™ campaign educates women about identifying their risks and warning signs of heart disease and stroke. It provides women with the tools they need to take charge of their heart health: women can significantly reduce their risk — by as much as 80 per cent — by making simple lifestyle changes. (thehearttruth.ca)
• A Canadian vision for stroke careThe Canadian Stroke Strategy is a joint initiative of the Heart and Stroke Foundation and the Canadian Stroke Network designed to support an integrated approach to stroke awareness, prevention, access to treatment, rehabilitation, and community reintegration in every province and territory. The Canadian Stroke Network fosters collaboration between more than 100 of Canada’s leading scientists and clinicians from 24 universities. This strategy is already saving countless lives, while also having remarkable influence on secondary stroke prevention and recovery.
• Multicultural HSF resourcesChinese is now the number three language in Canada – right after English and French. The new HSF poll found that over 80 per cent of Chinese and South Asian women were interested in stroke and heart disease information geared to them. Eighty-one per cent of Chinese women and 78 per cent of South Asian women said it would be useful to have this information their languages. The Heart and Stroke Foundation has health resources in Cantonese, Mandarin, Hindi, Punjabi, Tamil, and Urdu to meet this need. Go to heartandstroke.ca/multicultural for more information.
• A quivering heartbeat away from strokeThis year, the Foundation put the focus on a risk factor for stroke: atrial fibrillation. This condition causes an irregular heartbeat and increases the risk for ischemic stroke – stroke caused by a blood clot – by three to five times. It is estimated that up to 15 per cent of all strokes are due to atrial fibrillation.
• Focusing on stroke research
  The research initiative Focus on Stroke encourages new researchers and health professionals to train in the field of stroke and supports newly established investigators. Celebrated as one of the country’s leading research partnerships, the Heart and Stroke Foundation and the Canadian Stroke Network received the first ever CIHR Partnership Award for this initiative in 2002.
• Stroke knowledge saves livesRecognizing stroke warning signs and getting immediate medical attention have a major impact on survival and recovery. The Foundation recently launched its Stroke is Urgent awareness campaign to help Canadians recognize warning signs and how to react to this medical emergency.

Source:

Canadian Deaf Women's Conference - July 2011 - Helps to End Violence & Encourage Leadership

History
In 2001, the Canadian Association of the Deaf (CAD), a consumer advocacy for health and education organization, recognized the need to develop a national network of and for Deaf women. To address the issues and concerns identified by CAD, the first national Deaf Women’s Conference was held in Vancouver, B.C., August 13-18, 2007.  Janice Jickels, a Deaf woman leader from Vancouver, led this conference. The mandate of the newly established Deaf Women’s Conference was to provide leadership by sharing knowledge, thereby empowering Deaf Canadian women to be well informed related to health and to improve their quality of life.  
At this conference, it was recognized that women must be proactive by taking action to close the gap between the current reality and the ideal situation for Deaf Canadian women. Women also have a responsibility to communicate and share information with each other and to access information about health through sign language such as American Sign Language and langue des signes quebecoise.

Vision Statement
The Deaf Women’s Conference focuses on human rights, health, sports, education and eliminating systemic violence against women and children.
We need to empower more Deaf women to take charge through informed decision-making and creating opportunities that will help to shape their lives’ directions. What can we do to help more Canadian Deaf Women fulfill their aspirations? Critical to this process is the collective knowledge shared by influential Deaf women leaders and mentorship programs. Dialogue through sign language, personal growth, shared experiences and inspirational stories are emphasized at this national conference. Through networking, workshops, mentoring, public relations, research and development and information sharing, this conference will help address the current gap for Canadian Deaf women to be empowered.

 The next conference sponsored by the Canadian Cultural Society of the Deaf (CCSD) will be held July 24-28, 2011 at the Hilton, Niagara Falls, Ontario. “CHERISH LIFE” is the title of the Canadian Deaf Women’s Conference, 2011.
For more information, contact Maryann Chmiel.

Source: http://www.cdwc2011.ca/en/index.html

 

Warrior Woman Has Fully Awoken!



This woman has been kind, gentle,
and has much love,
All of this has been given with
the blessing of the Great Spirit above,
But Great Spirit gave her something
else and she didn't know it...
The Great Spirit gave her
the blessing of being a warrior woman
as now her light is lit!

This warrior woman has come
fully alive today,
She is no longer anyone's slave or prey,
She is taking back her life today,
And those who know who she truly is,
can stay.
No longer will she live the lives of others,
She will give back the blames and responsibilities of others
where it belongs,
For she also has the bear and wolf inside her,
which is now so very powerful
and uniquely strong.

The warrior woman now knows what road she must follow,
For others it will be to hard to swallow.
Her life was taken from her unknowingly many years ago,
And this warrior woman is taking back her life before the next winds blow.

Oh Sister Moon you give me the strength
as a warrior woman to conquer what's on my path,
high above and way beneath,
and the much needed strength to take on the wrath.

This warrior woman is fully awakened and is taking a stand,
taking the problems by the horns with my hand.
I will conquer all that is there,
all and who comes as they dare.

Warrior woman has fully awoken,
and many will see that they were mistaken
in robbing her of her life.
They as a thief, Warrior woman will conquer
and have no grief!

This warrior woman will protect her people, her son,
and those who need her.
If anyone hurts them, look out!
They will hear a GGGGGGRRRRRRRRR,
As they run and shout!

This warrior woman is taking back her life,
taking back the respect that was taken from her
throughout the years ever so slow.

This warrior woman is removing pain and hurt from within the heart
caused by the knife,
from all those who are both family and foe.

I am claiming what's mine, and my dignity,
From those who live in this society of vanity.
I am claiming back in full my heritage.

And as a warrior woman, I am going to clean up
many years of carnage.

For now standing in front of you,
you see this warrior woman... you see me.

Someone special has taught me to be free,
From this day forward for me no more slavery...
Gentleness, kindness, and love is part of me, and so is my dignity.
This is not weakness, as others believe.
But this strength is within me and within you.

I will listen to the spirits and grow,
I will travel in the whispering winds as they blow.

All the work I now do will be for Our People and all nations,
I will protect and guide the future generations.

Now it is time for me to travel on my new path,

As a warrior woman conquering all wrath.
If you ever see and want to meet me,
Please come, and I will also teach and share with you how to be free.

Author: Lady J-Ann
Lady J-Ann has dedicated this piece to Survivors of Domestic Violence.

You may encounter many defeats,
but you must not be defeated.
In fact, it may be necessary to encounter the defeats,
so you can know who you are,
what you can rise from,
how you can still come out of it.

~ Maya Angelou ~

Not enough Canadians being screened for colorectal cancer, leading to many unnecessary deaths

Canadian Cancer Statistics 2011 released by the Canadian Cancer Society with special focus on colorectal cancer

May 18, 2011 @ 10:00AM

Toronto - Use of a simple, at-home screening test by Canadians can prevent many unnecessary colorectal cancer deaths, according to a special report about colorectal cancer in Canadian Cancer Statistics 2011 released today by the Canadian Cancer Society, in collaboration with the Public Health Agency of Canada and Statistics Canada.
If 80% of Canadians aged 50+ were screened over the next 10 years, it is estimated that 10,000 to 15,000 deaths could be prevented.
Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in Canada, with an estimated 8,900 Canadians dying from the disease in 2011. It is the fourth most commonly diagnosed cancer in Canada after prostate, lung and breast cancer. An estimated 22,200 new cases are expected in Canada in 2011. Although rates of colorectal cancer incidence have been declining over the past two decades, the number of new cases has increased substantially due to population growth and aging.
The Society recommends that Canadians aged 50 and over get screened every two years with a simple stool test (known as FOBT or FIT). But currently, only 32% of Canadians in this age group report having a screening test. For people with symptoms or at higher risk of colorectal cancer, it is important that they talk to their doctors.
“One of the major goals of cancer screening is to detect cancer in people who have no symptoms,” says Gillian Bromfield, Senior Manager, Cancer Control Policy, Canadian Cancer Society. "For colorectal cancer, screening from age 50 using a stool test leads to fewer deaths. We need to identify and overcome barriers to colorectal cancer screening so that more Canadians get screened regularly. It’s a simple test and it saves lives.”
The fecal occult blood test (FOBT) and the fecal immunochemical test (FIT) are simple, at-home kits that test for trace amounts of blood in the stool, which can be a sign of colorectal cancer.
“It’s very important that doctors talk to their patients about screening,” says Bromfield. “Canadians who have discussed colorectal cancer screening with their doctors are more than twice as likely to get screened regularly.”
According to the 2009 Colon Cancer Screening in Canada survey, 71.7% of Canadians aged 50 to 74 who discussed colorectal cancer screening with their doctors are up to date with screening, compared to only 32.6% who have not had the discussion.
Some other facts about screening, according to the survey:

• 81% of Canadians are aware that screening tests exist and recognize the benefits of screening.
• 60% of Canadians do not understand that screening is a “health behaviour” that doesn’t require symptoms in order to be performed.
• Most Canadians are not familiar with the at-home test. Most are aware of colonoscopy (a more invasive test used for follow-up).

Risk factors and prevention
Risk factors for colorectal cancer include a diet high in red or processed meat, being overweight, physical inactivity, smoking and a family history of the disease. The best ways to reduce the risk of colorectal cancer – along with screening – are eating a healthy diet, being physically active in order to maintain a healthy body weight, not smoking and avoiding excessive drinking.
Diagnosis and treatment
After a positive screening test or symptoms such as bleeding, obstruction or abdominal pain, diagnosis is commonly made using a medical exam such as colonoscopy or sigmoidoscopy.
Treatment depends on the stage at diagnosis and may include surgery, chemotherapy or radiation.
Survival
Compared to other cancers, colorectal cancer has a moderate prognosis with a five-year relative survival rate of 63%. This is better than some cancers, such as lung (16% survival), but worse than prostate (96%) or breast (88%).
Canada has one of the best colorectal cancer survival rates in the world – slightly lower than the US, but better than most of Europe, including the UK and Scandinavia.
The five-year colorectal cancer survival has improved considerably – from 56% in 1992–94 to 63% in 2004–06. Survival is expected to continue to improve in the future as screening uptake increases.
Trends by province
Participation in screening varies widely across the country, with the lowest rate in Quebec and the highest in Ontario and Manitoba (the first two provinces to actively launch province-wide screening programs in 2008 and 2007 respectively).
Conclusions and recommendations
Treatment advances and screening have led to important reductions in colorectal cancer deaths and improvements in survival. However, further improvements will require the following:

• continued emphasis on screening, including:
  
  • maximizing regular participation and retention in screening programs and enhancing their quality
  • improving Canadians’ awareness about screening and the fact that screening is for people with no symptoms
• more research into the risk factors for colorectal cancer and effective prevention and treatment

“By becoming more aware of colorectal cancer, how to screen for it and how to prevent it, Canadians can help ensure they are looking after themselves and their families,” says Dr. David Butler-Jones, Canada’s Chief Public Health Officer.
A survivor’s story
To her friends, 55-year-old Kavita Jagasia is a walking billboard for the importance of regular colorectal cancer screening.
“Because of what happened to me, now they’ve all been screened,” says Kavita, diagnosed with colorectal cancer in July 2008. “Everybody suddenly woke up.”
The Toronto-area account manager in corporate travel was diagnosed after several months of noticing redness in her stool. She told herself it was nothing to worry about, but friends started commenting on her weight loss even though she wasn’t dieting. Urged by her husband, she went to her family doctor. A colonoscopy showed she had stage 2 colorectal cancer. Surgery two weeks later removed the tumour and further treatment was not required.
Kavita considers herself lucky, but says a simple screening tool like the fecal occult blood test (FOBT or FIT) could have made much of her experience unnecessary.
People may not want to do it because they think it’s “gross,” she says, but “if I had done it I probably would have been treated much earlier.  I probably would have been treated at the polyp stage, rather than a full-blown cancer.”
While a healthy lifestyle may reduce people’s cancer risk, Kavita knows that being of normal weight, a vegetarian, non-smoker and non-drinker was not enough to prevent her own cancer.
“If it can happen to me, it can happen to anybody,” she says.
General highlights: Canadian Cancer Statistics 2011

• An estimated 177,800 new cases of cancer (excluding 74,100 cases of non-melanoma skin cancer) and 75,000 deaths from cancer are expected to occur in Canada in 2011.

• More men than women are diagnosed with cancer, but the gap between the two sexes has narrowed in recent years (52% of cases are in men versus 48% in women).

• More than one-quarter of all cancer deaths – 27% – are due to lung cancer.

• The death rate for all cancers combined is declining for males in most age groups and for females under 70.

• There were no increases in death rates for most types of cancer in men or women. Notable exceptions include liver (both sexes), lung (women) and melanoma (men).

• The five-year relative survival rate for all cancers combined is 62%.

New poll shows biggest worry for Canadians before their first kiss: Should I close my eyes? But kids with life-threatening food allergies have much bigger worries

Anaphylaxis Canada launches Food Allergy Awareness Month with new ad to highlight everyday challenges faced by teens

Toronto - A new poll shows the biggest worry for Canadians before their first kiss is whether they should close their eyes (33%), but a more important concern for teens with food allergies is what their partner recently ate. Even a trace amount of an allergen may cause someone with food allergies to have a potentially-life threatening anaphylactic reaction. The poll comes at the start of Food Allergy Awareness Month. Other pre-first kiss worries in the poll were “how does my breath smell” (15%), “should I french kiss” (14%), “do I look attractive” (9%) and “will my parents catch me” (7%).
Among the more than 1.3 million Canadians with serious food allergies, teenagers are unique in the challenges they face. Teens have to manage their food allergies in various social situations, contend with peer pressure, and may exhibit a tendency towards risky behaviour and the awkwardness that comes with navigating one’s way into adulthood.
“Teens need to be aware of the risks and equipped with the knowledge and confidence to make safe choices”, said Laurie Harada, Executive Director of Anaphylaxis Canada and the mother of a teen with multiple food allergies. “Ensuring that their peers understand the seriousness of food allergies is also extremely important.”
That is the message of a new public service announcement developed by cutting-edge Toronto advertising firm Zulu Alpha Kilo. The firm’s President and Creative Director Zak Mroueh was inspired to create the ad by his son who has a serious food allergy.
“We wanted to create something that all Canadians could relate to,” said Mroueh. “By using the premise of ‘first kiss’, we are underscoring the seriousness of food allergies and the challenges teens face in staying safe – even when preparing for a rite of passage.”
The ad is being publicly unveiled at Anaphylaxis Canada’s annual food allergy conference this Saturday and can be viewed here today by clicking on the “Video” tab of this release. ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­The commercial, shot by Tom Feiler, was produced by Untitled Films. There is also a series of Transit Shelter Ads (TSA’s) and out-of-home advertising shot by Shereen Mroueh of Asylum Artists. All creative is being placed by Richard Ivey and Kareem Boulos of Media Experts.
As avoidance of allergens is the only sure means of preventing a potentially life-threatening allergic reaction, communicating strategies that help teens self-protect is critical. Even a trace amount of an allergen can cause a reaction. For teens to remain safe, this means always reading ingredient labels, ensuring their friends and dates are aware of their food allergies and always carrying epinephrine.
“Communicating directly to teens about managing risks and encouraging them to take responsibility for their allergies can help reduce instances of allergic reactions and prepare them for adulthood,” said Kyle Dine, Youth Program Coordinator at Anaphylaxis Canada.
The public service announcement is the latest initiative in Anaphylaxis Canada’s Why Risk It? allergy awareness program targeted at pre-teens, teenagers and young adults. More information about the program can be found at: http://www.whyriskit.ca/.

There is Help! Shelter & Outreach Program for Women & Children - Cover Your Tracks! Tips

There is Help! Shelter & Outreach Program for Women & Children - Cover Your Tracks! Tips

How To Cover Your  Tracks - Internet Safety 

To be safe, erase any record that you have visited the Women & Children’s Shelter web site. If anyone has access to your computer, they will be able to see which web sites you have visited unless you erase your tracks.

PC Windows – Internet Explorer
(Before closing the Browser)
Step 1: Select the Tools in the menu bar. Open the Internet Options Dialog Box and select the General Tab.
Step 2: In the Temporary Internet Files, click Delete Files. Check the “Delete all offline content” and click OK.

Step 3: In the History, click Clear History.

Step 4: In Temporary Internet Files, click Delete Cookies and then OK.

Step 5: Click OK to exit the Internet Options Dialog Box.

PC Windows – Mozilla Firefox
(Before closing the Browser)

Step 1: Select the Tools in the menu bar, then select the Options.


Step 2: Click on the “Privacy” Option, with the picture of a padlock.

Step 3: Select the “History” tab. Click on “Clear Browsing History Now”.


Step 4: Select the “Cache” tab. Click on “Clear Cache Now”.

Step 5: Click “OK” to exit the Options dialogue box.


PC Windows – Netscape
(Before closing the Browser)
Step 1: Select the Edit in the menu bar, then select the Preference.


Step 2: Under the Category, select Navigator. Then click Clear History as well as Clear Location Bar.

Step 3: Under Privacy & Security, select Cookies. Then click View Stored Cookies. Lastly, click Remove All Cookies.

Step 4: Under the Category, select Cache under Advanced. First click the Clear Memory Cache followed by the Clear Disk Cache.

PC Windows
(right click the mouse on the Start at the bottom of the menu bar, select Explore)

Step 1: Select Windows in the C drive.

Step 2: Open the Temporary Internet Files Folders. Select all the files inside this folder and delete.

Step 3: Open the History folder (e.g. c:\windows\history\today in Win 98), select all the files inside this folder and delete.


Step 4: Open the Cookies folder (e.g. c:\windows\cookies in Win 98), select all the files inside this folder and delete.


Step 5: Disable the Auto-Complete in the windows and/or browser options.


Step 6: Finally, after completed the above deletions, you should also empty the recycle bin.


Mac – Safari
(Before closing the Browser)

Step 1: Go to “history” tab on the main menu.


Step 2: Scroll down to “clear history”.


Mac – Firefox
(Before closing the Browser)


Step 1: Go to “preferences” under the “Firefox” tab in main menu.

Step 2: Click on “Privacy” tab then go to the “Private Data” section on the bottom.


Step 3: Click “Clear Now”.


Mac – Netscape
(Before closing the Browser)


Step 1: Go to “Edit” menu and select “Preferences”.

Step 2: Select “Navigator” under the “Category” listing.

Step 3: Select “Clear History” in the “History” area.


Step 4: Click “OK” to erase history.


Remember:
When you clear the cache and the history list, you erase ALL information that had been previously stored there. If your partner notices that the cache and history list have been deleted, he or she will realize that you know how to delete your tracks as well as possibly thinking that you have something to hide.


A way to avoid suspicion is after clearing the CACHE and HISTORY LIST spend some time visiting sites that you think your partner wouldn’t object to. This way, the cache and history list start to get filled up and your partner might be less likely to notice that old information is missing.


Email
If an abuser has access to your email account, he or she may be able to read your incoming and outgoing mail. If you believe your account is secure, make sure you choose a password that’s difficult to guess. If an abuser sends you threatening or harassing email messages, print and save the messages as evidence of this abuse and report it to police.

A woman’s partner can often tell when she makes up her mind to stop the abuse. Do not underestimate your partner. Always erase your tracks.

Telephone Safety
When you call the Women & Children’s Shelter, or any organization that assists abused women, you must be careful to use a telephone that will not keep a record of the number you called. If you call long distance, the phone number will appear on the bill. Even if you call locally, if you use an Internet-based telephone system, with a name like VOIP or SKYPE, records of the call will be kept. If your partner has access to the system he or she will be able to identify who you have called.


Cell phones can also keep records of the numbers that have been called.


A local call made on a regular telephone line will not produce a record of the call. However, many telephones have a “redial” button, and you may want to call a friend or other “safe” number after you make any call you don’t want your partner to know about – they can check up on you just by pressing “redial”.


One way to be sure your home telephone uses a regular telephone line is to check your telephone bill. It will come from a Telephone Company, such as Bell or Sprint. It will not list any local numbers, only long distance. If you still aren’t sure, you should use extra caution.


The safest way to call or to receive calls from us is from a friend’s phone, a public phone, a work phone, or any telephone that has nothing to do with your partner.


If you are in danger, call 911.

Thanks for viewing! As always, have a great day and remember to "Empower yourself and inspire change in others"