The National Domestic Violence Hotline states that “An average of 24 people per minute are victims of rape, physical violence or stalking by an intimate partner in the United States — more than 12 million women and men over the course of a single year.”
HIPAA compliant emails provide a safe and confidential platform for survivors to communicate with healthcare providers and support services.
Why emails are feasible in supporting survivors of abuse
A study in the Journal of Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing showed that “email interaction is a feasible and acceptable way of providing support and information to survivors of abuse after their Protection from Abuse (PFA).”
Emails can provide education, screening information, safety instructions, and follow-up care in supporting survivors of domestic violence. This could help a survivor’s perceptions of the availability of social support.
The study explains that while emails cannot “eradicate the risk of further abuse”, it gives survivors the platform to reach out to providers who can “provide immediate and ‘just-in-time’ support, guidance, information, education and referral, too proximate and quick to a calculating assailant.”
The nonjudgmental nature of email communication
Email provides a safe and discreet space for individuals to express themselves. In the case that a survivor may feel uncomfortable discussing sensitive details of their experience in person, they could feel more at ease sharing those same details via email, knowing they will not face judgment.
“The nonjudgmental format of email would serve as a device for providing individualized care, education, and information and social support to women and children isolated or in domestic violence shelters”, the study elaborates.
Emails allow survivors to articulate their specific needs in a way that feels comfortable to them. For example, a survivor could email a provider asking for legal options to obtain a protection order or to seek guidance on developing a safety plan to escape their abuser.
How can providers safeguard survivor privacy?
Providers must ensure HIPAA compliance when sending emails to safeguard their protected health information (PHI). Using a platform like Paubox will uphold HIPAA standards, like those outlined in the Security Rule. This ensures the integrity and security of survivors' digital interactions while maintaining compliance with federal privacy laws.
Providers should give survivors clear instructions on safety protocols, like using secure passwords and logging out of shared devices to protect the survivors’ data. Additionally, they should educate survivors on the importance of regularly updating their security settings and being cautious about sharing personal information online.
Best practices for sending email support to survivors of abuse
- Ensure confidentiality by using a secure email platform, like Paubox.
- Define boundaries regarding response times, availability, and the scope of support services offered via email.
- Use a compassionate and empathetic tone in all email communications to validate survivors' experiences.
- Respect survivors' autonomy by allowing them to control the pace and content of email exchanges.
- Offer survivors comprehensive information, resources, and referrals to support services such as hotlines, shelters, legal assistance, and counseling.
- Educate survivors on safety measures to protect their online privacy and security, like avoiding shared devices and clearing browsing histories.
- Maintain professionalism in all email communications, adhering to ethical guidelines and organizational policies.
- Collaborate with other service providers, such as counselors, legal advocates, and healthcare professionals, to coordinate holistic support for survivors.
FAQs
How can survivors access ongoing support and follow-up care through emails?
Providers can offer ongoing support and follow-up care through email interactions by establishing a system for regular check-ins and communication. This involves scheduling follow-up appointments, offering additional resources and referrals, and providing continuous emotional support to survivors throughout their healing journey.
How can providers tailor their support to meet the unique needs of each survivor in email interactions?
Providers can personalize their emails to meet the unique needs
of each survivor by offering tailored resources, referrals, and guidance in email interactions. For example, sending information about legal options, safety planning strategies, and emotional support tailored to the survivor's circumstances.
What steps should providers take if a survivor's email account is accessed without authorization?
Providers should have protocols in place to respond promptly if a survivor's email account is compromised or accessed without authorization. Providers must temporarily suspend emails, notify the survivor of the breach, and take steps to secure their accounts and data.
