When control doesn’t stop at the door, it often follows you through your screen.
Dear Survivor,
A client once told me something that still sits heavy: her partner had secretly placed a tracking device on her car before a weekend trip with a friend.
When she confronted him, he said it was for her protection. “What if you went missing?” he said. “I just wanted to be able to find you.” But that’s the thing. If his goal was truly safety, why hide it? Why use covert tactics?
Control that disguises itself as concern is still control.
Digital abuse often begins quietly: shared accounts, “just needing your passwords,” checking your phone while you’re asleep. Then it escalates. Location tracking, monitoring messages, hidden apps, or even using kids’ devices as surveillance tools. When you’re trying to survive day by day, it can feel impossible to keep up with what’s safe.
But here’s the truth: you deserve privacy. You deserve digital freedom. And you are not imagining the danger.
If you suspect you’re being watched or tracked, take gentle steps to protect yourself. Turn off location sharing on apps. Use secure devices when researching or reaching out for help. Consider creating a safety plan that includes digital awareness. And if you need to start seeing these signs for what they are, the Red Flags of Abuse Freebie is a powerful place to begin.
You are not being paranoid. You are being cautious. You are being brave.
Blessings and healing,
#narcissisticabuse #domesticviolence #DV #IPV #abuser #toxicrelationships #abusivepartners #emotionalabuse #narcissist #survivorstories #healingjourney #traumarecovery #relationshipabuse #abusesurvivor #mentalhealth #healingafterabuse #coercivecontrol