Social media and technology have changed the way we interact and conduct our routine business. Unfortunately, abusers and stalkers often use technology to abuse or control a victim of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault or stalking.

You can be abused or stalked through the use of technology including facebook, text messaging, instagram, email, and more.

Trust your instincts. If you think you’re being harassed or stalked through technology, you’re probably right.

Get help at Susan B. Anthony Project 860.482.7133, or call one of the national hotlines listed here:

National Domestic Violence Hotline 1.800.799.7233

National Sexual Assault Hotline 1.800.656.4673

National Human Trafficking Hotline 1.888.373.7888

Look for patterns to identify misused technology. Carefully, try to figure out which technology is being used to harass, stalk, or monitor you. Is someone watching you at home? in your car?

Document incidents of stalking or harassing behavior. Always be sure to save or print any evidence of stalking or harassing behavior on your phone or computer.

Report the incidents to law enforcement. Keep a detailed log of your reports to authorities, including the date, time and name of the person you spoke with when making your report.

General safety tips. Is someone monitoring your computer? Online accounts? Your cell phone? Your location?

  • Girl using FacebookIf you suspect you’re being watched on your computer, don’t use that computer. Use another one.
  • Change your user names and passwords on your online accounts. Create new accounts with complex passwords. Consider creating a new email address.
  • Check your cell phone settings. Turn off bluetooth and location.
  • Make sure you know what each of the apps on your cell phone is. If you don’t know the app, delete it. An abuser or stalker could have downloaded an app on your phone.
  • Get a new cell phone and put a passcode on it.
  • Have your car checked. If your abuser knows where you are at all times, it may because you have a hidden location device on it.
  • Limit the information you give out about yourself–at stores and businesses and online.
  • Get a P.O. Box or check on address confidentiality programs. Susan B. Anthony Project can help you with this.
  • Check your house thoroughly for hidden cameras. Try to remove or cover the camera. If your computer or tablet has a built in web camera, consider disabling or covering it.

Read more about technology safety and learn about safe use of Facebook from National Network to End Domestic Violence (NNEDV).