Is Tech Abuse Happening to You?
A Note on Language
In this toolkit, we will sometimes use the word woman/women and feminine pronouns for simplicity and to recognize the significant impact technology-facilitated violence has on women and girls. We recognize that TFGBV also impacts trans, non-binary, and Two-Spirit people. We hope that all people impacted by TFGBV will find these documents useful.
It Can Be Tech Abuse If Someone:
- Controls your phone
- Takes your phone away from you
- Breaks your phone
- Makes you share your phone
- Controls your online accounts
- Stops you from using your online accounts
- Uses your online accounts when you don’t want them to
- Shares pictures of you that you don’t want people to see
- Tells you they will share pictures of you that you don’t want people to see unless you do what they want
It Can Be Tech Abuse If Someone:
Watches what you do using:
- Your phone
- Hidden cameras
- Apps
Uses a Computer, Phone, or Tablet to:
- Repeatedly contact you (if unwanted)
- Say things that hurt you
- Punish you
- Say they will hurt you or a member of your family
Uses Apps or Social Media to:
- Say things that make you feel bad
- Say things that make you or your family look bad
- Make threats about things they will do to you or our family
Uses Tech to:
- Find out where you are when you don’t want them to
- Find out what you are doing when you don’t want them to
- Follow you
Technology-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence (TFGBV) is part of a continuum of violence that can be both online and in-person. If you or someone you know is experiencing TFGBV, you are not alone. You can use sheltersafe.ca to find a shelter/transition house near you to discuss options and create a safety plan. You don’t need to stay in a shelter to access free, confidential services and support.
Adapted for Canada with permission from WESNET’s Technology Safety project, based on their resource Is Tech Abuse Happening to You.