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Supported housing

Rogers Court

Twenty self-contained units in Bedford, each with its own kitchen and bathroom. Most residents here have been sleeping rough or have come close to it. Support is on site around the clock.
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Rooms

20

Age range

18-65

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Staying safe online

If you think someone can see what you do on your phone or computer, the safest thing is not to tidy up afterwards. It is to use a different device they have no access to: a friend’s phone, a work computer, or a library.

In an emergency

Call 999. If you can’t speak, call from a mobile and press 55 when prompted.

Before you change anything

Changing settings can be noticed. Stopping location sharing, removing an app or changing a password may tell the person something has changed, and that can raise the risk.

  • If you want to keep evidence of abuse, save it before you change or delete anything.
  • Clearing your whole history can look more suspicious than leaving it. Delete only the pages you don’t want seen.
  • If you can, get advice first. Our teams and the National Domestic Abuse Helpline can talk it through with you.

What private browsing does and doesn’t do

Private or incognito mode stops pages being saved in that browser. It does not hide anything from software installed on the device, from whoever owns the account the device is signed in to, or from whoever pays the bill.

How devices get monitored

  • The account behind the phone. Every phone is signed in to an Apple ID or Google account. Anyone with that password may see location, calls, photos and messages.
  • Location sharing. Find My, Google Maps sharing and family plans are easy to set up and easy to forget about.
  • Hidden trackers. An AirTag or similar tag costs very little and fits in a bag, a coat or a car.
  • Apps you didn’t install. Monitoring software can run without an icon on the screen.
  • Shared accounts. Streaming, shopping and banking accounts show what you watch, buy and where.
  • The home and the car. Doorbells, cameras, speakers and car apps all keep a record.

Checks you can make, when it’s safe

  • iPhone: Settings → Privacy & Security → Safety Check shows everything you share and who with, and can stop it all at once.
  • Android: Settings → Safety & emergency → Unknown tracker alerts scans for tags travelling with you.
  • Both: check which devices are signed in to your account, and remove ones you don’t recognise.
  • Set a passcode only you know, and turn off message previews on the lock screen.
  • If you set up a new email account, do it on a safer device.

Where to get expert help

Refuge runs a specialist tech safety service with step-by-step guides at refugetechsafety.org.

The National Domestic Abuse Helpline is free and open 24 hours a day on 0808 2000 247. Call from a safer device if you can.

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