How to Use the Technology-Facilitated Abuse Log
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.
What is Technology-Facilitated Abuse?
Technology-facilitated abuse is when a current/former partner uses technology as a tool to monitor and harm you.
This can include things like:
- tracking location through an app,
- sending harassing texts, and
- threatening to share intimate images online.
A technology-facilitated abuse log helps track and document these actions.
Why keep a Tech-facilitated Abuse Log?
- Helps capture what happened while it’s fresh in your mind.
- Can be used as evidence in court or with police.
- Shows patterns or escalation that can help with safety planning.
- Gives support workers a better understanding of the risks you’re facing.
- Can help you feel more in control and prepared.
- Validates your experience, especially if the abuser denies it or tries to make you feel like it didn’t happen (this is called gaslighting).
- Helps you remember details if you need to write a statement or if the abuser tries to come back into your life later.
Gaslighting is a form of psychological abuse where an abuser pretends the abuse did not occur and may blame a victim for “going crazy.”
Important Information to Keep Track Of
The following information may be useful to include about the abuser’s misuse of technology:
- Internet and phone provider and account information.
- Devices: Phones, computers, tablets, cameras, drones, external hard drives, USBs, children’s devices, etc.
- Accounts or apps that have been used in the abuse such as social media or banking accounts.
- Email addresses, phone numbers, cloud storage accounts, usernames, avatars, pseudonyms, online identities, etc.
- Any other information that relates to their technology.
- Examples: Passwords, online accounts, tracking devices, identity theft or fraud, etc.
Staying Safe while Logging Abuse
Think about where you can store the logs safely so that an abuser will not find them. This may be in a locked desk at work, with your support worker, a new secure email account, or with a trusted friend.
If you decide to provide your logs to police or other services, they may ask for more details about the person who is abusing you. Connect with a local shelter worker to make a safety plan in case things get more dangerous when the abusive partner finds out you're saving evidence.
The accompanying handout is for you to print, write down important details about the abuse, and store in a safe place until you decide what to do next. Trust yourself, you know your situation best.
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 Stalking and Tech-Facilitated Abuse Log.