Doxxing and Intimacy Professionals

Doxxing is a growing threat, especially for intimacy professionals who may face privacy invasions due to their work’s sensitive nature. It can occur when personal information is shared maliciously online, leading to harassment and damage to reputation. As an intimacy professional, it’s crucial to take steps to safeguard your data linked to your risk profile and to know what to do if you become a target.

Steps to Take if You Are Doxxed

Collect Evidence: Save any online content that’s linked to the doxxing attempt, like mails or messages—this will be important when filing complaints and can lead to the identity of the offender.
Seek Support: Talk to trusted people in your network, don’t sit with this alone! The Hub can also offer aftercare, digital support, or emergency support, providing immediate help and backing.
Remove Your Data: Act quickly to remove any exposed personal information from social media platforms, websites, and public databases.
File a Complaint: Report the incident to relevant authorities to take legal action.

Challenges Faced by Intimacy Professionals

As an intimacy professional, your personal data may be fragmented and overly available across multiple platforms, making it easier for others to exploit. This issue is compounded by the societal taboos still surrounding intimacy work, which can increase the risk of harassment. Professionals who navigate these sectors often face undue attention, online threats, or outright malicious attacks as a result.

Legal Aspects of Doxxing

In Belgium, doxxing can carry severe legal consequences. Penalties are more significant when:

Doxxing is done for profit.
The targeted individual is in a vulnerable situation (e.g., because of physical or mental disabilities, age) or the offender is a partner, relative, or individual with authority over the perpetrator).
The harassment is gender-based.

These aspects lead to harsher penalties, highlighting the importance of understanding both your legal rights and responsibilities in protecting your digital presence.

Prevention and Support

Preventing doxxing starts with taking control of your online presence. Regularly audit your privacy settings, limit public information, and consider using separate online persona’s for professional work. The Intimacy Hub offers resources for further support in managing your online presence, helping you minimize risks while building your practice. If you face harassment or digital threats, don’t hesitate to reach out for professional guidance and assistance.

For more guidance on protecting yourself from doxxing, the Doxxing Self-Defense Zine offers comprehensive advice and tools for maintaining your privacy online. Explore the zine and other helpful resources at Utsopi.

For additional resources on digital self-defense tailored for sex workers and the LGBTQ+ community, consider exploring Cypher Sex. This queer feminist collective offers workshops, guides, and personalized consultations to empower individuals in managing their online presence securely. Their manual, "How to Cypher Sex," provides comprehensive strategies for online identity management and digital self-defense.