Online Stalking and Harassment of Trans People

Stalking of trans people online has increased. What can we do in response?

Forge, an organization dedicated to building strength and resilience in the trans community, provides an overview of stalking and online harassment of trans people and communities. This handout is geared toward advocates and survivors.

Online stalking can take the form of doxing and swatting. Doxing is when personal details are shared, such as an address or workplace. This is for the purpose of harassing people or causing harm. Swatting is when a false report is made to elicit a dangerous response by law enforcement. Stalking, doxing, and swatting target not only trans communities but also those who support them.

There are steps that we can take to protect ourselves and navigate online risks. First, we must know that it’s not our fault. We can seek support and develop a plan to protect us. Documenting stalking and harassment can aid us in noticing patterns and pursuing legal actions, if we desire to do so. We can also adjust our privacy settings online. We must be cautious of how much information we share and where. The handout provides additional resources and tools that can help protect trans people from stalking, harassment, and other forms of violence.

Swatting, doxing, and stalking are all related. All involve interfering in someone’s life and privacy, making people less safe in their homes and often leading to additional hardships such as legal or financial issues. Doxing can enable swatting by making it easier to find a victim’s location. Stalking can include both invading someone’s life to find out personal information and invading someone’s life through tactics like doxing and swatting.

SOURCE: FORGE • LAST UPDATED: February 1, 2024