This guide is for you if someone is using the internet, a phone or an app to hurt you, scare you, control you or silence you \u2014 or if you simply want to be better protected. It is also for friends, family and professionals who want to help.<\/p>\n
Read only what you need<\/strong><\/p>\n Every chapter stands on its own. If something is happening right now, go straight to chapter 6, \u201cIf it happens\u201d.<\/p>\n You decide<\/strong><\/p>\n You don\u2019t have to report anything, to anyone. Using this guide does not commit you to any step. Every decision stays yours.<\/p>\n Go at your own pace<\/strong><\/p>\n Some parts can be hard to read. Take breaks. You can ask someone you trust to read with you.<\/p>\n Is someone watching your screen or phone?<\/strong><\/p>\n If you think someone checks your phone or computer, read this guide on a device they cannot access (a trusted friend\u2019s phone, a work or library computer), or keep the printed copy somewhere safe.<\/p>\n On the E-RADAR website, the \u201cQuick exit\u201d<\/strong> button at the top of every page \u2014 or pressing Esc twice<\/strong> \u2014 takes you instantly to Google. Afterwards, you can also delete the site from your browser history, or use a private \/ incognito window.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n If you are in immediate danger<\/strong><\/p>\n Call 197<\/strong> (police), 193<\/strong> (national guard) or 190<\/strong> (SAMU, medical emergency). The free helpline for women victims of violence is 1899<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n A note on words: we say \u201cyou\u201d throughout. This guide is for all women and girls, and for all LGBTQI+ people, whatever their identity. Menu names in apps change often: if a setting has a slightly different name on your phone, use the search bar inside the app\u2019s settings.<\/p>\n Gender-based digital violence is any act carried out through the internet, phones or apps that aims to harm, frighten, silence or control someone because she is a woman or a girl, or because of their gender identity or sexual orientation.<\/p>\n It is real violence. Its effects on your mental health, your safety, your studies, your work and your relationships are real. It often comes from someone close: a partner or ex-partner, a family member, a colleague, a classmate. It can also come from strangers, sometimes organised in groups.<\/p>\n Women and LGBTQI+ people are targeted in specific ways: comments about their bodies, threats to share intimate images, being outed to their family, reputation attacks. Social and family pressure can make the consequences much heavier \u2014 and make it harder to talk about it.<\/p>\n Digital violence sometimes starts with small things. These signs can help you name what is happening:<\/p>\n If one of these sounds like your situation, you have the right to ask for support. You don\u2019t need to wait until it gets worse.<\/p>\n It is not your fault. Not because you trusted someone, not because you shared a photo, not because of what you wear, say or post, not because of who you are or who you love. The responsibility lies entirely with the person who harms you.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n Most account takeovers rely on a weak or reused password, a stolen code, or someone close who knows your phone. A few changes make a big difference.<\/p>\n If someone close may be watching your accounts<\/strong><\/p>\n Make changes from a safe device they cannot access. Suddenly locking someone out can alert them \u2014 if that could put you at risk, first think through your safety plan (chapter 8) or ask for support.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Your email is the master key: whoever controls it can reset the passwords of all your other accounts. Secure it first, then your phone number\u2019s accounts, then social media.<\/p>\n With 2FA, logging in from a new device needs a second code in addition to your password. Even if someone knows your password, they cannot get in.<\/p>\n When you turn on 2FA, the platform gives you recovery (backup) codes<\/strong>. They let you get back into your account if you lose your phone. Write them down or print them and keep them somewhere safe that the person harming you cannot reach. Never send a code to anyone \u2014 not even someone claiming to be \u201csupport\u201d.<\/p>\n Look regularly at active sessions and devices, and log out of anything you don\u2019t recognise:<\/p>\n Also check the recovery email and phone number on each account, and the third-party apps connected to it. Remove anything that is not yours.<\/p>\n Never enter your password on a page you reached through a link in a message, even if it looks official. Open the app or type the address yourself. Platforms never ask for your code or password by message.<\/p>\n Tip<\/strong><\/p>\n Do one account per day: email first, then WhatsApp, then Facebook\/Instagram, then the rest. Small steps are still steps.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Your phone holds your messages, photos, location and accounts. Whoever has physical access to it, even for a few minutes, can do a lot. Here is how to protect it.<\/p>\n Go through the full list of apps (Settings \u2192 Apps). Some spy apps hide behind ordinary names like \u201cSystem service\u201d or \u201cSync\u201d. Also check:<\/p>\n Don\u2019t delete a spy app right away<\/strong><\/p>\n If you suspect stalkerware, removing it can alert the person and make the situation more dangerous. It also removes evidence. First make a safety plan (chapter 8), use another device to ask for help, and get technical support. When it is safe, a full factory reset \u2014 after saving your evidence \u2014 is the most reliable cleanup.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Small Bluetooth trackers (AirTag type) can be hidden in a bag, a coat or a car.<\/p>\n Photos can contain hidden information (metadata): the exact place and time they were taken. Turn off location tagging in your camera settings. When sharing on iPhone, tap Options<\/strong> and turn off Location<\/strong>; in Google Photos, use Remove location<\/strong>. Also check backgrounds: a street sign, a school uniform or a window view can reveal where you are.<\/p>\n Your photos and messages are often copied to iCloud<\/strong>, Google Photos \/ Google Drive<\/strong> or a WhatsApp backup. Anyone who knows that account\u2019s password can see everything, from any device. Secure those accounts as described in chapter 3, and check which devices are signed in to them.<\/p>\n Install system and app updates regularly. They fix security holes that attackers use.<\/p>\n Shared or second-hand phone?<\/strong><\/p>\n If a phone was given to you, or someone else set it up, they may still have access to its accounts. Sign in with your own new email account, and check \u201cLinked devices\u201d and signed-in devices everywhere.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Privacy settings decide who can see you, contact you and find you. Ten minutes per platform is enough.<\/p>\n Menu names change between app versions and languages. If you can\u2019t find a setting, type its name into the search bar inside the app\u2019s settings.<\/p>\n Do a \u201csearch yourself\u201d check<\/strong><\/p>\n Search your name, your username and your phone number in a search engine and on each platform, logged out or from a friend\u2019s device. You will see what strangers see.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Short, practical sheets for the most common situations. Read the one you need. In every case: it is not your fault, you can document before blocking, and you can ask for support at any step.<\/p>\n Signs: messages you didn\u2019t send, a changed password, you can\u2019t log in.<\/p>\n If the person who got in is close to you and has access to your phone, do all of this from another, safe device.<\/p>\nWhat you will find<\/h3>\n
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2. Understanding gender-based digital violence<\/h2>\n
Why \u201cgender-based\u201d?<\/h3>\n
Common forms<\/h3>\n
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\n \nForm<\/th>\n What it looks like<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n \n Harassment<\/strong><\/td>\n Repeated insulting, sexual or unwanted messages and comments, often from several accounts.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Threats<\/strong><\/td>\n Messages threatening violence, exposure, or harm to you or people close to you.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Blackmail<\/strong><\/td>\n \u201cDo this, or I will publish \/ tell\u2026\u201d \u2014 demands for money, images, a meeting, or silence.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Sextortion<\/strong><\/td>\n Blackmail using intimate images or videos, real or fake.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Non-consensual intimate images<\/strong><\/td>\n Sharing, or threatening to share, intimate images without consent \u2014 including images taken secretly and deepfakes<\/strong> (fake images made with AI using your face).<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Defamation<\/strong><\/td>\n Spreading lies or rumours to damage your reputation.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Cyberstalking<\/strong><\/td>\n Monitoring, following or tracking you online or through your phone: constant messages, location tracking, spyware.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Hate speech<\/strong><\/td>\n Attacks targeting you because you are a woman or LGBTQI+, sometimes calling for violence.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Outing<\/strong><\/td>\n Revealing \u2014 or threatening to reveal \u2014 someone\u2019s sexual orientation or gender identity without consent.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Impersonation<\/strong><\/td>\n Fake accounts using your name or photos, or someone taking over your account to speak as you.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Doxxing<\/strong><\/td>\n Publishing your personal information: address, phone number, workplace, family details.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n Warning signs<\/h3>\n
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3. Secure your accounts<\/h2>\n
1. Start with your email<\/h3>\n
2. Strong, different passwords<\/h3>\n
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3. Turn on two-factor authentication (2FA)<\/h3>\n
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\n \nPlatform<\/th>\n Where to find it<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n \n Facebook & Instagram<\/strong><\/td>\n Settings \u2192 Accounts Center<\/strong> \u2192 Password and security \u2192 Two-factor authentication<\/strong> \u2192 choose the account \u2192 Authentication app (recommended).<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n WhatsApp<\/strong><\/td>\n Settings \u2192 Account \u2192 Two-step verification<\/strong> \u2192 Turn on \u2192 choose a 6-digit PIN nobody knows \u2192 add an email address so you can reset it.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Google \/ Gmail<\/strong><\/td>\n Google Account (myaccount.google.com) \u2192 Security \u2192 2-Step Verification<\/strong> \u2192 follow the steps; add an authenticator app and backup codes.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n TikTok<\/strong><\/td>\n Profile \u2192 \u2630 menu \u2192 Settings and privacy \u2192 Security \u2192 2-step verification<\/strong>.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n 4. Keep your recovery codes safe<\/h3>\n
5. Check who is logged in<\/h3>\n
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6. Watch out for links and fake \u201csupport\u201d<\/h3>\n
4. Your phone and devices<\/h2>\n
Screen lock<\/h3>\n
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Apps you don\u2019t recognise<\/h3>\n
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Signs of stalkerware (spy apps)<\/h3>\n
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Location sharing<\/h3>\n
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Physical trackers<\/h3>\n
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Photos reveal more than you think<\/h3>\n
Backups and cloud<\/h3>\n
Updates<\/h3>\n
5. Privacy settings, platform by platform<\/h2>\n
Facebook<\/h3>\n
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Instagram<\/h3>\n
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WhatsApp<\/h3>\n
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TikTok<\/h3>\n
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6. If it happens: response sheets<\/h2>\n
6.1 My account was hacked<\/h3>\n
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6.2 I\u2019m being threatened<\/h3>\n
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