Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

The short answer is: anyone.

SurveilSafe will help anyone who is worried about their situation. There is no requirement to prove domestic violence, vulnerability, or a specific type of harm before we will listen or offer support.

As an ACNC registered charity, our primary focus is supporting people who may be vulnerable or at higher risk. This includes, but is not limited to:

• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people

• People of all genders and identities

• Migrants, refugees, and asylum seekers

• Other charities and not-for-profit organisations

• People from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. Please Note: we do not have in-house translators, but we are very happy to work with people using a trusted translation service.

• People with disabilities

• Unemployed persons

• Victims of crime, including family and domestic violence

• Young people aged 15 to under 25

You do not need to fit neatly into a category to ask for help. If something does not feel right, you are entitled to seek advice and support.

SurveilSafe also assists businesses and organisations. These services are provided on a paid basis, and all proceeds are used to fund our charitable work for individuals who are not charged.

Yes. Protecting your privacy and safety is central to how SurveilSafe operates.

We do not store identifiable personal information, case notes, or client details on staff laptops, shared systems, or central databases.

For any case we take on, individuals are assigned an anonymous code name. This code cannot be linked to a real identity and is used for all case notes and technical work.

If we need to temporarily hold sensitive details while actively working with you, such as a contact number or address when you have requested an on-site visit, this information is:

• Stored only on an encrypted phone

• Kept only for the duration of the active case

• Never associated with the anonymous case code

• Known only to the assigned assessor

Anonymised case information and temporary contact details are kept on entirely separate systems. This separation ensures that even in the unlikely event a device were compromised, information could not be linked back to identify or expose a client.

SurveilSafe will never disclose any client information to third parties, including family members, partners, employers, or other organisations. We will never disclose if someone has ever contacted us or not if asked. Information is only shared with:

• The client themselves, or

• Police, where required or agreed as part of lawful processes

We recognise that in rare and extreme cases, a client or vulnerable person may have an abuser who works in law enforcement. Where this risk exists, it is taken into account from the outset, and we will discuss safer options and approaches with the client to help reduce potential harm or exposure.

SurveilSafe’s staff are cybersecurity professionals and take data security, confidentiality, and client safety extremely seriously.

Yes. SurveilSafe is a registered charity with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC).

We operate in accordance with ACNC governance and reporting requirements, and our activities and finances are subject to ongoing oversight and compliance obligations.

SurveilSafe is based in Newcastle, NSW and primarily services the Greater Hunter region and Greater Sydney region.

If you are located outside these areas and need advice, we will help however we can. Where possible, we can also try to assist you in finding appropriate local resources or services.

You can contact SurveilSafe through our Contact Us page, where we provide multiple ways to get in touch.

This includes:

• Secure contact via our website contact form

• Messaging via WhatsApp or Telegram for those who prefer these platforms

If you have concerns that your phone, email, or online accounts may be monitored, please prioritise your safety. In these situations, we strongly encourage contacting DV Safe Phone at https://dvsafephone.org/ They specialise in helping people safely access communication devices and support when surveillance or control is a concern.

SurveilSafe is also actively working on alternative contact methods designed to reduce suspicion. These include discreet cards similar to hair salon or GP appointment reminders, using benign business names and safe-looking email addresses. Once established, these methods will allow the use of agreed code phrases, such as confirming a “fake appointment”, to indicate when it is safe for us to respond, arrange a call, or organise an in-person meeting at a safe location.

If you are unsure which contact method is safest for you, we recommend reaching out from a device or location you believe is secure, or seeking assistance from a trusted support service first.

No. SurveilSafe does not have qualified legal staff and does not provide legal advice.

If evidence of illegal activity is identified during our work, we can assist with appropriate documentation and ensure evidence is handled and preserved correctly. Where required, we work with police to maintain proper chain of custody and support lawful investigation processes.

Yes, where appropriate.

If we identify evidence of illegal activity, we can assist with proper documentation and evidence handling and work with police as required.

We do not replace law enforcement and do not conduct criminal investigations, but we aim to ensure that any findings are handled responsibly and correctly.

We recognise that in rare cases, a client or vulnerable person may have an abuser who works in law enforcement. Where this risk exists, it is taken into account from the outset, and we will discuss safer options and approaches with the client to help reduce potential harm or exposure.

SurveilSafe’s assessors (including it's Owner/Director) have professional backgrounds in cybersecurity, IT, and physical security.

This includes experience in the defence, finance and government industries performing and training counter-surveillance and vulnerability assessment teams using industry standard and defence-grade equipment and techniques. These skills are now applied to help vulnerable individuals and organisations at risk of unlawful surveillance or monitoring.

SurveilSafe’s assessors hold current GIAC GPEN and GEVA certifications. Credentials can be made available when SurveilSafe is engaged to assist a business or individual.

For safety reasons, staff names and personal details are not listed publicly.

Currently, all donations go directly toward furthering SurveilSafe’s charitable mission.

This includes:

• Purchasing and maintaining detection and investigation equipment

• Expanding our ability to assist more people efficiently

• Supporting free or low-cost services for vulnerable individuals

SurveilSafe is 100 percent volunteer-run and donation funded. No staff, owners, or directors receive salaries, bonuses, or financial benefits. The organisation does not hold assets beyond its operational equipment.

SurveilSafe is a registered and audited charity. Financial records and reporting are transparent and submitted to the ACNC as required.

Yes. SurveilSafe is endorsed as a Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR).

This means eligible donations to SurveilSafe are tax deductible in Australia. Donation receipts are issued where required and can be used for tax purposes in line with ATO guidelines.

SurveilSafe also holds a Charitable Fundraising licence, granted by NSW Fair Trading, Charitable fundraising number CFN/27854.

Yes. SurveilSafe welcomes sponsorships and partnerships with businesses that align with our mission.

Support may include:

• Financial donations

• Equipment or technology contributions

• Office, meeting, or event space

• Pro bono or in-kind professional support

SurveilSafe is still a small, early-stage charity, and partnerships play an important role in helping us grow our capability and reach more people. Businesses that support SurveilSafe are directly contributing to services provided at no cost to vulnerable individuals.

If your organisation is interested in supporting SurveilSafe, please contact us to discuss options.

SurveilSafe exists to support people who are vulnerable or at risk. Many individuals are assisted at no cost or on a reduced-cost basis depending on circumstances and available resources.

Revenue from business and professional services directly funds our ability to provide these charitable services.

No. Confidentiality is taken seriously.

We do not contact third parties, employers, partners, or family members without consent unless required by law or where there is an immediate safety risk.

We focus on realistic and commonly used methods of unlawful surveillance and monitoring, including:

• Hidden cameras and audio recording devices

• GPS and Bluetooth tracking devices

• Compromised phones, computers, or online accounts

• Misused consumer or commercial technology

We do not encourage fear-based assumptions or unsupported conclusions.

No.

Surveillance detection is not an exact science, and the absence of findings does not always mean something never occurred. Our role is to reduce risk, identify indicators where present, and provide clear, honest guidance based on evidence.

No. SurveilSafe provides practical safety guidance and technical support. We are not psychiatric or psychological professionals and do not provide counselling or mental health treatment.

If you believe you are experiencing a mental health crisis or require psychological or psychiatric care, please contact emergency services or a qualified medical professional immediately. If you are in immediate danger, call 000.