Privacy Policy

Introduction:

Founded in 1976 to assist local rape survivors, SOS, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) human services organization based in Emporia, Kansas that now serves the victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, human trafficking, child abuse, and neglect, in Chase, Coffey, Lyon, Morris and Osage counties. SOS is entirely funded by state and federal grants, public donations, and private foundations, and proudly remains an active member of the Kansas Coalition Against Sexual and Domestic Violence (KCSDV).

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What Type of Information Do We Collect?

When someone visits the SOS website, two types of usable information are potentially collected: personal information that is voluntarily disclosed - such as your name, email, home address, and phone number - and statistical data that is logged by an internet server, the software of our website domain, anytime a visitor accesses our page. The latter consists of the aggregate of the total number visiting our website, the date and the time of their visit, as well as their approximate location. These details are known as “cookies”.

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What are “Cookies”?

Cookies are basically a “digital footprint” left behind whenever you surf the web: pages you visit, products you search for, topics of interest. They also allow websites to ensure a more personalized experience, provide more useful updates, by remembering your preferences for future visits. Because cookies are saved to your computer’s hard drive, users have the option of accepting or denying cookies according to their own preferred settings. If you loathe re-entering your shipping address every time you purchase a product online, chances are you activated your browser’s cookies for a trusted website to save you the hassle.

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How Do We Use This Information?

All personal information is completely confidential, typically recorded as a procedural means to document client services, and never shared with any outside entity unless specifically ordered by a court of law, revealed for the purpose of pursuing legal action regarding damaged SOS property or the threatened safety of our staff or clients, used to comply with a government investigation or answer a formal complaint, or authorized by a current or former client to fulfill a personal request. Examples may include approval for participating in an educational video or publishing a survivor’s story in our newsletter. Internet data, on the other hand, represents anonymous information collected to better understand relevant details: how many are accessing our website, where they’re from, what type of information they’re searching for, and peak times of usage. These technical statistics help us analyze the effectiveness of our social media efforts, our public awareness campaigns, to better identify the evolving needs of our service area.

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Do We Disclose Your Personal Information to Third Parties?

SOS may provide aggregate statistics collected in our database to reputable affiliates, but this information never includes personally identifiable data; except when required by law or a pending legal dispute.

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How Do We Secure Data Transmissions to Protect Your Information?

SOS values ethical standards, written policies, and best practices, that are committed to the protection of all user information. We utilize encryption/security software to safeguard all information we collect from any unauthorized access, or in the case of accidental loss, alteration, or destruction. SOS contractually employs the services of a trained IT Specialist to maintain, periodically test, and potentially improve our network security whenever deemed advantageous or necessary.

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Unfortunately, even with these preventative procedures and strict protocols in place, it is impossible to 100% guarantee the security of information transmitted over the internet and shared on our page. Therefore, SOS is not liable for the malicious circumvention of any privacy settings or security measures on our website. The overall safety of visitor information is also equally dependent on the user’s choices and personal discretion. Any private information entered, financial transactions conducted, on your computer or digital device is always subject to theft during online activity or the unforeseen event your device is stolen or viewed by an unauthorized party.  Always take whatever precautions you deem necessary.

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Notice of New Services and Changes.

SOS may occasionally use your voluntarily disclosed information, your email or mailing address, to contact subscribing visitors regarding organization developments, upcoming special events, volunteering opportunities, changes to victim services, or for general fundraising efforts such as our Annual Appeal and holiday family adoption program. However, for those who no longer want to receive any SOS updates, who want to opt-out even after agreeing to accept them, they can choose this option when responding to SOS emails or mailings. Recipients are also welcome to call and notify the SOS administration office of their decision.

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How Can You Access and Correct Your Information?

You may request access to all your personally identifiable information by visiting the contact page on our website. SOS will expeditiously accommodate a user’s request to access, update or delete their personal information if so desired.

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Permission to Use of Materials.

Any reproduction, transmission, performance, display, or editing of materials appearing on this website, without our express written permission, is strictly prohibited. Users must first obtain permission to reprint or reproduce any materials contained on this site by directly contacting SOS.

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Terms of Use