Recovered Archive / Safety
Doxxing and Swatting
Doxxing means publishing private information about someone without their consent: home address, workplace, phone number, family names, financial details, medical records. Swatting means making a false emergency report to send armed police to someone's home. Both are used to punish, silence, and terrorize.
For survivors leaving controlling groups, abusive relationships, or online networks, these tactics are a common escalation. The goal is to make you feel exposed, unsafe, and alone.
What it is
Doxxing is often organized: a person or group collects your information from public records, social media, data breaches, or people who know you, then spreads it widely. The audience may be asked to harass you, contact your employer, or show up where you live.
Swatting is a specific and dangerous form of harassment. The caller reports a fake hostage situation, shooting, or bomb threat at your address. The result is a heavily armed police response, which can injure or kill you, your family, or your pets.
How it is used against survivors
- ▌ Punishment for leaving. A group or individual publishes your information to retaliate after you spoke out, left, or refused to return.
- ▌ Silencing. The threat of doxxing keeps people from reporting abuse, sharing their story, or seeking help.
- ▌ Isolation. Employers, neighbors, or family members are contacted with lies or pressure, cutting off your support network.
- ▌ Physical danger. Swatting and stalking can follow doxxing, turning online exposure into a real-world threat.
Warning signs
- ▌ Someone mentions details about you that they should not know: your address, schedule, family members, or workplace.
- ▌ You receive threats that your information will be shared if you do not comply.
- ▌ Your personal information appears on a website, forum, or social media thread encouraging harassment.
- ▌ Police or emergency services arrive at your home based on a report you did not make.
What you can do now
- ▌ Document everything. Screenshot the posts, URLs, and usernames. Save timestamps. This is evidence, not paranoia.
- ▌ Report the platform. Most platforms and web hosts prohibit doxxing and threats. Use their reporting tools and keep records of your reports.
- ▌ Lock down your information. Remove your address from people-search sites, set social media to private, and ask friends not to tag your location.
- ▌ File a police report. Doxxing and swatting are crimes in many jurisdictions. A report creates a record, even if immediate action is limited.
- ▌ Alert local police if you are at risk of swatting. Some police departments will flag your address so officers know the call may be false. Contact your local non-emergency line to ask.
- ▌ Use a safer address. If possible, receive mail at a P.O. box or a trusted person's address. Do not list your home address on public documents.
- ▌ Tell trusted people. Let neighbors, employers, and close contacts know you are being targeted so they do not amplify the attack or act on false information.
When to get outside help
Doxxing and swatting can escalate quickly. If you are being threatened, if your home address is public, or if emergency services have been sent to your home, contact law enforcement and a local advocate immediately. Organizations that specialize in cyber civil rights and domestic violence can help you create a safety plan.
Browse crisis and legal resources →If you know a resource, law, or tool that should be added here, use contact.