Your safety

Using this website safely

Some of the material on the Equity Hub deals with gender-based violence, sexual and reproductive health, disability, and the rights of LGBTQIA+ people. In some situations, being seen looking at this material could put you at risk — from a partner or family member, an employer, or in places where the law or local attitudes make these topics unsafe to discuss.

Quick exit button

On pages in the Knowledge Hub about sensitive topics — including this page — a 'quick exit' button hovers on the bottom right hand corner. It will rapidly take you to a neutral website.

The quick exit button does not erase the page from your browsing history, and it does not stop monitoring software from recording what you have viewed. Treat it as a way to change what is on your screen right now, not as a way to hide that you were here.

For screen reader users

The quick exit button is the first thing on every page. From the top of the page, press Tab once and you will land on it. It is announced as “Quick exit, button”. You can also find it by listing the buttons on the page — press B in NVDA or JAWS, or use the rotor in VoiceOver.

Press Enter or Space to activate it. You can also press the Esc key three times quickly. Your browser will load a neutral website in place of this one, and your screen reader will begin reading that new page.

If you would rather close the tab entirely, press Ctrl+W on Windows or Command+W on a Mac. This is faster than the button and leaves nothing on screen.

Your screen reader reads pages aloud. If someone nearby might hear it, use headphones or a braille display. The quick exit button changes what is on the screen, but it cannot stop what has already been spoken from having been heard.

Some screen readers keep a log of what they have announced — NVDA's speech viewer, JAWS speech history, and the VoiceOver caption panel all do this. If you use one of these features, clear it or turn it off before visiting.

Browsing privately

If you can, use a private browsing window before you visit. Your browser will not save these pages in its history or keep the cookies from your visit.

  • Chrome and Edge: new Incognito or InPrivate window
  • Safari: new private window or tab
  • Firefox: new private window

Private browsing does not hide your activity from your internet provider, your employer's network, or software installed on the device.

Clearing your browsing history and cache

Your browser keeps a record of pages you have visited and stores copies of page files (the cache). You can clear both.

On a computer

  • Chrome or Edge: open the menu (three dots), go to History, then Clear browsing data. Choose a time range, tick browsing history, cookies and cached files, then clear.
  • Firefox: open the menu, go to History, then Clear recent history. Choose a time range and the items to remove.
  • Safari: open the History menu, then Clear history. Choose how far back to go.

On a phone or tablet

  • Safari on iPhone or iPad: Settings, then Apps, then Safari, then Clear history and website data.
  • Chrome on Android: open Chrome, tap the menu, go to History, then Delete browsing data.

You can also delete individual entries rather than everything. Open your history, find the pages you want gone, and remove them one by one.

Clearing everything can be more noticeable than clearing nothing. If someone else uses the device and expects to see their own history, a completely empty history may draw attention. Deleting only the entries you are concerned about is often safer.
Also check your search history separately. Search engines and app stores keep their own records, and a phrase typed into a search box may reappear as a suggestion later.

If your device may be monitored

Some phones and computers have software installed that records activity regardless of what you clear. Work devices often log browsing on the network side, where you cannot delete anything.

If you think this may apply to you, use a safe device — a public library computer, a device at a support service, or a phone belonging to someone you trust.

If you create an account

Parts of the Knowledge Hub require a login. If you register, we hold your name and email address. We send account emails, such as sign-in links and password resets, to the address you register with. Consider whether that inbox is one only you can see, and whether you want an email from the Equity Hub arriving in it. The vast majority of the resources on the site can be viewed without registering.

You can ask us to delete your account and details at any time by emailing info@eqhub.com.au.

Getting help

In Australia

If you are in immediate danger, call the police on Triple Zero (000).
  • 1800RESPECT — national domestic, family and sexual violence counselling service: 1800 737 732 or 1800respect.org.au
  • eSafety Commissioner — Australia's online safety regulator, with detailed guidance on technology-facilitated abuse

Outside Australia

The services above operate in Australia only. If you are elsewhere, contact a local support service or helpline. Some regional contacts are listed below.

Papua New Guinea

1-Tok Kaunselin Helpim Lain — 7150 8000
Free, confidential phone counselling for anyone experiencing family and sexual violence. Open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, operated by ChildFund PNG. Calls are free on the Digicel network; callers on other networks can request a call back.
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Femili PNG — case management centres in Port Moresby, Lae and Goroka

Fiji

National Domestic Violence Helpline — 1560
Available 24 hours a day, free of charge from all networks. You can speak in English, Fijian or Hindi.
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Fiji Women's Crisis Centre — 3313 300 (24 hours)

Solomon Islands

SAFENET Domestic Violence Helpline — 132
Toll-free, 24 hours, seven days.

Vanuatu

Vanuatu Women's Centre — 161
Toll-free, 24 hours.

Tonga

Women and Children Crisis Centre — 0800 444
Free 24-hour helpline.

Samoa

Samoa Victim Support Group — 800-7874
Free 24-hour helpline.

Other resources

eSafety Commissioner: Online Safety ChecklistManaging your digital safety settings