What Does Cyber Abuse Look Like?

 There are steps you can take to prevent and educate yourself on how to keep yourself safe. Any type of abuse is not necessarily between yourself and your intimate partner. Abuse can happen between family, friends, co-workers, and even strangers. So, what does Cyber Abuse look like? It can take many forms and you may have experienced one or more of these.

You may have someone sending threats or hurtful messages on email, text messages, on websites and social media.

Posting secrets, recordings, private/personal videos, and pictures.

Hacking into the victims account to find out personal information whereabouts, financial info.

Steal identity.

Create a fake ad of the victim.

Sexting.

Starting rumors.

Stalking you online or having others spy on you.

You may have the feeling that you are being watched! Planting spyware on your computer, tracking your whereabouts via GPS, installing cameras in your home or elsewhere to spy on you.

Tracking your email/internet use.

Constantly emailing, messaging, or texting you to intimidate or frighten you.

Harass you on social media, dating sites, chat, and gaming sites.

Harassing you by calling or emailing your workplace to cause trouble or get you fired. 

What can you do? There are laws to protect you. First, start by contacting your local law enforcement. Make sure to keep screenshots, any type of paper trail with any emails/text messages, voicemails, and so on. If you keep receiving these keep alerting the police. 

You may need to share issues with your workplace about your situation. 

If you can afford it consider investing in new electronics- Laptop, computer, or phone. Have your vehicle and home swept for tracking or surveillance equipment.  

If those seem a bit out of your price range right now, consider checking out how to find these things yourself. 

Like the other forms of abuse an abuser wants the victim to feel powerless and that they have control.

Don't lose hope! 

Stay Safe!

Mel