By Eleanor Grano, Community Outreach and Youth Engagement Coordinator at Jane’s Due Process
If you are experiencing an unintended pregnancy, reaching out to our hotline is the first step you can take to learn about your pregnancy options. Including, how to access an abortion without involving a parent or legal guardian in your decision. However, taking this step can be a significant barrier for young people who do not have access to a working phone, reliable reception, or whose calls/texts are being monitored.
If you are struggling to find a safe way to contact us, the following suggestions can help you maintain your privacy.
You have the right to receive confidential support
If you are concerned that someone will interfere in your decision to have an abortion, remember to always delete our number from your call history and clear your search history after visiting our website or social media handles.
You can find out if you are being monitored online by checking for spyware on your smartphone and checking for spyware or parental control settings on your computer, laptop, or tablet.
I don’t have reliable reception
If you do not have reliable reception, you can enable a feature called wifi calling. Wifi calling is only available for people who have an Android or iPhone. You can read how to enable this feature on your provider’s website.
It’s important to know that wifi calling will still log all your calls/texts with your service provider. The only difference is that it uses wifi instead of a cellular tower. This means that any calls or texts that you send using wifi calling will still show up on your monthly phone bill. If you are concerned that your calls/texts are being monitored, this may not be a safe option for you.
My service has been disconnected
If your phone has been disconnected from a service provider, here are a few resources that will allow you to make a free call/text to our hotline:
Google Hangouts*
Google Voice*
Skype*
WhatsApp
Signal
Any calls that are made using these services do not require your phone to be connected to a service provider, but they do require an internet connection. If you don’t have access to a smartphone, you can still make calls/texts using Google Hangouts, Google Voice, or Skype from a desktop computer, tablet, or laptop.
Find a free wifi hotspot near you here and review this website for privacy tips to consider when using public wifi hotspot locations.
I don’t have a confidential phone or internet connection
If you do not have access to a confidential phone or computer, it can be helpful to ask a friend or family member who you trust and who will let you use their phone to call us for support.
Another option is to find a pay phone. Pay phones can still be found at places like shopping malls, public transit stops, museums, libraries, tourist information centers, courthouses, police stations, gas stations, and outside fast-food restaurants.
Jane’s Due Process volunteer advocates are available 24/7 at 1-866-999-5263 or by text 8am-11pm CT to support young people navigating their pregnancy options in Texas. Including, the right to an abortion without the involvement of a parent or legal guardian.
