Track Patterns, Not People
Purpose: A worksheet for community groups to gather useful information without collecting personal data that could harm victims or violate privacy laws.
NEVER COLLECT: Names, addresses, phone numbers, immigration status, screenshots, payment records, case details, suspect names, or any identifying information. Collecting these endangers victims and may violate privacy laws.
SAFE TO TRACK: Aggregate numbers, service gaps, language needs, geographic areas (not specific addresses), workshop requests, and general patterns. This helps improve community response without compromising anyone.
Monthly Tracking Worksheet
Fill this out monthly. Keep it secure. Destroy after 12 months or if subpoenaed.
| Category | This Month | Trend (↗ ↘ →) | Notes |
|---|
| Community members asking for help (count only) | _______ | ________ | ________ |
| Language needs mentioned (which languages?) | _______ | ________ | ________ |
| Service gaps identified | _______ | ________ | ________ |
| Workshop requests (by topic) | _______ | ________ | ________ |
| Geographic areas mentioned (city/neighbourhood, not address) | _______ | ________ | ________ |
| Types of threats mentioned (general categories only) | _______ | ________ | ________ |
Red Flags — STOP and Delete
- Someone volunteers a victim's name or identifying details → STOP them, remind of confidentiality
- Someone brings screenshots or evidence → Refuse to accept, direct to police
- Someone wants to record the meeting → Only with explicit consent of all present
- Data worksheet is requested by non-authorized person → Do not share, refer to leadership
- You feel unsure about whether something is safe to track → When in doubt, leave it out