Assessing the Privacy and Safety Implications of Collecting and Storing the Personally Identifiable Information of Women & Children Experiencing Violence in Online Databases

Organization

BC Society of Transition Houses

Published

2019

Project Leader(s)

Amy S. FitzGerald, Executive Director
Rhiannon Wong, Project Leader

Summary

According to Canadian anti-violence workers, online electronic databases can help streamline the collection and storage of clients’ personal information and make data more accessible for program staff. However, in the context of women, children and youth experiencing domestic and sexual violence, having their personally identifiable information stored in an electronic database can put their privacy and safety at risk through online interception, unauthorized access, subpoenas, third party requests and data breaches. The BC Society of Transition Houses researched and published the following reports and resources to provide Canadian anti-violence organizations information and guidance about critical privacy and security considerations relating to the use of electronic databases at their anti-violence programs:

• Electronic Database and Case Management System Use by Anti-Violence Organizations across Canada
• Understanding Database Options for Canadian Anti-Violence Organizations
• Privacy, Security and Confidentiality: Database Considerations for Canadian Anti-Violence Programs
• Vie privée, sécurité et confidentialité: Considérations liées aux bases de données pour les organisations antiviolence au Canada
• Database Considerations for Anti-Violence Organizations Handout
• Considérations liées aux bases de données pour les organisations antiviolence au Canada: dépliant
• Database Vendor Questionnaire for Canadian Anti-Violence Organizations

Project deliverables are available in the following language(s):

English (with some French documents)

• English (HTML document)

OPC Funded Project

This project received funding support through the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada’s Contributions Program. The opinions expressed in the summary and report(s) are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada. Summaries have been provided by the project authors. Please note that the projects appear in their language of origin.

Contact Information

Suite 325, 119 W. Pender St. Vancouver BC V6B 1S5
(604) 669-6943 or 1 (800) 661-1040
E-mail: BC Society for Transition Houses
E-mail: Amy S. FitzGerald
E-mail: Rhiannon Wong