Last Updated: 8/13/2025
Welcome to Austin Stone Abuse (“we,” “our,” or “us”). This site is a community-built space for survivors of abuse at The Austin Stone Community Church and The Austin Stone Counseling Center to share their stories, find catharsis, and connect with others.
This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, and protect your personal data when you interact with our website (https://austinstoneabuse.com). By using this site, you agree to this policy.
Who We Are
Our website address is: https://austinstoneabuse.com.
This site is not affiliated with The Austin Stone Community Church, The Austin Stone Counseling Center, or any outside organization. It is maintained by a volunteer team of survivors and former members. We are not therapists, legal advisors, or fact-checkers—this is a peer-supported space.
Information We Collect
Comments
- When you leave a comment, we collect:
- Your name, email, and website (if provided).
- Your IP address and browser user agent for spam detection.
- An anonymized hash of your email may be sent to Gravatar (see their Privacy Policy). If your comment is approved, your profile picture (if linked to Gravatar) may be publicly visible.
Media
- If you upload images, avoid including embedded location data (EXIF GPS). Visitors can download and extract this data.
Cookies
- Comments: If you opt-in, cookies save your name/email/website for convenience (expires after 1 year).
- Login: Temporary cookies check if your browser accepts them. Login cookies last 2 days (or 2 weeks if you select “Remember Me”).
- Editing: A cookie saves the post ID of articles you edit (expires in 1 day).
Embedded Content
- Articles may include embedded content (e.g., videos, social media). These third-party sites may track your interaction (if you’re logged into their platform).
User Accounts
- If you register, we store your profile data. You can edit or delete it anytime (except your username).
How We Use Your Data
- To publish and manage comments.
- To prevent spam.
- To facilitate user accounts (if applicable).
- To improve site functionality (via cookies).
Who We Share Data With
- Spam detection services (for comments).
- Third-party embeds (e.g., YouTube, Twitter) if you interact with them.
- Password reset emails include your IP address.
We do not sell your data.
Data Retention
- Comments and metadata are kept indefinitely for auto-approval of follow-ups.
- User profiles are stored until deleted (by you or an admin).
Your Rights
If you have an account or left comments, you can:
- Request an export of your personal data.
- Request deletion of your data (excluding data we must retain for legal reasons).
Email AustinStoneAbuse@gmail.com for requests. Note: We are volunteers and may respond slowly.
Where Your Data Is Sent
- Visitor comments may be processed by automated spam detection services.
Disclaimers & Important Notes
- This is a peer-moderated site. We are not professionals and cannot guarantee outcomes of interactions.
- Engage at your own risk. Avoid sharing sensitive contact details publicly.
- No one here is liable for others’ words or actions.
- Posts are pre-approved to filter hate speech or unsafe disclosures.
Contact
For privacy concerns, email: AustinStoneAbuse@gmail.com.
This policy may be updated. Check the “Last Updated” date for changes.