I speak to a support worker who works with victims of intimate partner violence.

863
My experience:

She listens to me, but more importantly, she believes me. She tells me it’s not “all in my head”—that it’s a strategy of control to isolate me and keep me from moving forward with my life.

She reassures me that there are cybersecurity specialists who can help me, free of charge. She tells me about Lab2038 and suggests I meet with them. She notes all of this in my file and tells me that these elements are important for demonstrating the harassment. She suggests a few security measures that I hadn’t thought of, like resetting my phone to factory settings to erase any spyware that may have been installed.

I’m not ready to go to the police yet, but at least I know that I’m not alone.

Explanation:

Psycho-social support is key in this type of situation. A support worker will listen without judgment, document the facts and guide clients to the appropriate cybersecurity resources. It’s a concrete way to empower victims and help them feel supported while they grapple with a form of violence that is often invisible and difficult to prove.

Resources:

SOS Violence Conjugale, Lab 2038

This project was funded by the Government of Quebec/Secrétariat à la condition féminine.