Aboriginal Legal Service (NSW/ACT) Limited
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Tips to browse safely online

Here you'll find some basic tips to protect your privacy and reduce the ability for people to see what you do online.

The 'Close this site' button

Some pages on this website include a 'Close this site' button. Use this button to quickly hide what you are looking at. You might find this helpful if someone comes into the room or looks over your shoulder and you don't want them to know what you've been looking at.

When you use the 'Close this site' button, it immediately closes this website and opens the Google search page in a new window.

You can also quickly close this site by using the ESC button on your computer keyboard. It immediately closes this website and opens the Google search page in a new window.

The 'Close this site' function doesn't delete your browser history. This means that if someone checks your browser history on your computer or mobile device, they will be able to see everything you looked at on our website.

Clear your browsing history regularly

Web browsers keep track of your online activity through your browser history, cookies and caching. This is so you can find websites you've visited before, but it also means other people can see this data.

To protect your privacy, it's a good idea to clear your browsing history regularly. You can choose to delete everything or only some things.

Find out how to clear your browsing history in:

  • Internet Explorer
  • Google Chrome
  • Firefox
  • Safari
  • Safari on iPhones or iPads.

For other browsers and devices, check the provider's website.

Use private browsing

Private browsing is an easy way to hide your browsing habits. If enabled, when you close your browser, all browsing history and stored cookies from future browsing sessions will automatically disappear.

However, the sites you visited during your current browsing session will record your browsing activity. Your internet service provider will also record this information. Any files you download using private browsing won't be deleted, so other people can access them if they use your device.

Find out how to enable private browsing in:

  • Internet Explorer
    • In the 'Tools' menu (the cog icon on top right of the browser window), select 'Safety', then 'InPrivate Browsing'.
  • Google Chrome
  • Firefox
  • Safari
  • Safari on iPhones or iPads.

For other browsers and devices, check the provider's website.

Accounts and passwords

Don't let your browser auto-save your passwords. While the auto-save function may be convenient, it gives anyone who uses your device access to your accounts.

When you are using an account with a password (e.g. your social media or email account), always log out before leaving the website.

Using other computers and devices

If you are worried about someone looking at your internet use, consider using a computer or device that they can't access.

This might be a computer at your local library, your work computer, or a family or friend's device. But again, don't auto-save any passwords and make sure you log out of your accounts when you've finished using the computer.

Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)

This advice is from "Tips to browse safely online" by The State of Queensland.
The content is licensed under the CC BY 4.0 license.
© The State of Queensland 2024.
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Family violence and safety

If something is happening at home that makes you feel unsafe, the ALS is here to support you.

We offer free and confidential help for you and your kids.

Call us on 1800 765 767.

 

Information for women and children in the NSW Hunter region

We provide a culturally safe, wraparound service for women and children in the Hunter Valley, Newcastle and Lake Macquarie areas.

Come have a cup of tea and a yarn in our safe meeting space. We’ll help you get to a place where you feel protected and empowered.

 

Legal Assistance for Women program:
Open Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm
Level 2, 456-460 Hunter Street
Newcastle, Awabakal Country
1800 765 767 (free call) or (02) 4914 6565 (direct)
[email protected]
 

How we help

If there is anything making you feel unsafe, our team is here to advocate and look out for you.

We have lawyers, a social worker, and community support workers who will work together to find the right support for you.

 

About us

As an Aboriginal community-controlled organisation, we are committed to being culturally safe, sensitive and respectful. 

Our lawyers for this service work separately from other ALS lawyers. This means we can probably help you even if another ALS lawyer is helping a partner or family member that you are having problems with. We promise to keep your information private and confidential.

 

Referrals

If you or someone you're helping would like to receive support from our team, please fill out our referral form. It'll take about 5 minutes.

 

Information for people in the NSW South Coast and ACT

The ALS Family Violence Prevention Unit offers free and holistic support to keep your family safe.

Our team can advocate for you and look out for your needs, both legal and non-legal.

Come have a cup of tea and a yarn in our safe meeting space. We’re here to help you be in a place where you feel protected and empowered.

 

Family Violence Prevention Unit Nowra:
Open Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm
2/64 North Street
Yuin Country
1800 765 767
[email protected] 

 

Family Violence Prevention Unit Canberra:
Open Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm
Level 7, 17-21 University Avenue
Ngunnawal Country
1800 765 767
[email protected] 

 

How we help

We can help with legal issues including:

  • Domestic and family violence
  • Sexual assault 
  • ADVOs (NSW) / Family Violence Orders (ACT)
  • Seeing and contacting your kids
  • Arrangements for children
  • Child support payment
  • Problems with DCJ (used to be known as DOCS) (NSW) / Problems with Child Youth & Protection Services (CYPS) (ACT)
  • Victims’ support
  • Divorce and separation 
  • Money problems, credit and debt
  • Housing and tenancy
  • Issues with Centrelink and other government departments
  • Problems with your kids’ school

We can also help with related, non-legal issues including:

  • Parenting issues
  • Safe housing
  • Mental health 
  • Counselling 
  • Drugs and alcohol support

 

About us

As an Aboriginal community-controlled organisation, we are committed to being culturally safe. We have Aboriginal caseworkers and lawyers who will treat you with respect and understanding.

Lawyers for the ALS Family Violence Prevention Unit work separately from other ALS lawyers. This means we can probably help you even if another ALS lawyer is helping someone that you’re having problems with. We promise to keep your information private and confidential.

 

Information for people living elsewhere in NSW 

Please call us on 1800 765 767 or email [email protected].

We will provide support if we can, or refer you onto another service that can help with your situation. 


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Custody Notification Service

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We acknowledge the Traditional Owners and Custodians of the lands on which we live, work and travel. We pay our respects to Elders both past and present and acknowledge the contribution and sacrifices our Elders have made to better our community and future. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people should be aware that this site contains names and images of people who have passed away.

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We acknowledge and pay our respects to the Traditional Custodians of the lands on which we live, work, and travel, and their Elders past and present.

Warning: This website may contain images and names of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who have passed away.