Information Collected and Stored Automatically
If you access information on our websites, the following basic information is automatically collected and stored on our server:
- The name of the internet domain (for example, "xcompany.com" if you use a private Internet access account, or "yourschool.edu" if you are connecting from a university's domain);
- The Internet Protocol (IP) address (a number that is automatically assigned to your computer when you are using the Internet) from which you access our site;
- The type of browser and operating system used to access our site;
- The date and time you access our site;
- The internet address of the website from which you linked directly to our site; and
- The pages you visit and the information you request.
The NCJFCJ and the Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) do not use this information to track the browsing of individuals who access the site. This information is primarily collected for statistical analysis and technical improvements to the site. This government computer system uses software programs to create summary statistics, which may be used for such purposes as assessing what information is of most and least interest, determining technical design specifications, and identifying system performance or problem areas. In certain circumstances, however, we may take additional steps to identify you based on this information and we may share this information, including your identity, with the OVW.
Personal Information That You Voluntarily Provide
You do not have to provide any personal information to us to access information on our websites. If you choose to provide us with personal information, such as by sending a message to an e-mail address on this website or by filling out a form and submitting it through our website, we will use that information to respond to your message or to fulfill the stated purpose of the communication. The NCJFCJ and OVW do not collect or use information for commercial marketing.
We may share information you give us with OVW if your inquiry relates to that agency. In some circumstances, we may be required by law to disclose information you submit or we may share this information with other agencies for law enforcement purposes or to protect the Civil Protection Orders's website from security threats. If you provide comments in response to a request for public comments, we may make those comments as well as your identity available to the public or by posting them on our website. Where possible we may give you more specific guidance at the point of collection regarding how your personal information may be used or disclosed.
Remember that e-mail is not necessarily secure against interception. If your communication is sensitive or includes personal information you may prefer to send it by postal mail instead.
Children and Privacy
We believe in the importance of protecting the privacy of children online and do not knowingly contact or collect personal information from children under 13. Our site is not intended to solicit information of any kind from children under 13.
Website Measurement and Customization Technologies (I.E., Cookies)
Website measurement and customization technologies (commonly called “cookies") are small bits of text that are downloaded to your internet browser when you visit a website. You may control permissions for cookies on this or any other website by adjusting your individual browser settings for customized privacy protection – see http://www.usa.gov/optout-instructions.shtml for helpful guidance. You can still use the Civil Protection Orders website if you do not accept the cookies, but you may be unable to use certain cookie-dependent features.
Session cookies
Session cookies are not stored on your computer’s hard drive, and are removed when you complete your session or exit the site. No personally identifying information is gathered.
Persistent cookies
Certain department websites use “Tier 2” persistent cookies that remain on your computer’s hard drive after you complete an activity. For example, some department websites use persistent cookies in association with a voluntary customer satisfaction survey conducted by a third party, Foresee ResultsTM. These surveys obtain feedback and data regarding visitors’ satisfaction with our websites, but they do not collect any personally identifying information. If you are randomly selected to participate in this survey, a persistent cookie is stored on your computer’s hard drive for 90 days to preclude a new invitation during that time. Some department websites also use persistent cookies to enable a Google Analytics or Webtrends program to measure how new and returning visitors use our websites over time. These persistent cookies do not collect any personally identifying information, and the information that is collected is used only to improve our websites.
Links to External Sites
The Civil Protection Orders website may contain links to websites created and maintained by other public and/or private organizations. We provide these links as a service to visitors to our site. When you follow a link to an external site, you are leaving the Civil Protection Orders website and are subject to the privacy and security policies of the external site.