Personal Security for Industry Members
Unfortunately, working in the adult industry can attract attention from stalkers, trolls, and other dangerous people. It’s incredibly important to protect yourself both online and IRL. This page offers practical guidance for evaluating your risks, improving your security, and where to turn if you are being stalked or harassed.
Where to Start: Evaluate and Limit Your Exposure
See what information is currently publicly available by taking the following steps:
Google your name, phone number, address, and social security number – with and without quotation marks around them. Be sure to check the Images tab. Request that personal information be removed from search results.
View your social profiles as someone else. Then adjust your privacy settings.
Search your own name on people search websites. If you find yourself, request that your information be taken down. The highest priority sites are:
Spokeo - search then use URL of listing in opt out form
Radaris - search then use URL of listing in opt out form
Whitepages: search then use URL of listing in opt out form
Intelius - search and opt out form
BeenVerified - search and opt out form
Acxiom - opt out form
Infotracer - opt out form
Lexis Nexis - opt out form
TruePeopleSearch - search and opt out form
click here for a full list of data brokers
Next: Take Action to Improve Your Security
Online
Limit data and location sharing on your devices.
Use Domain Privacy tools for all of your websites.
Remove EXIF data from any photo you share or post online.
Use burner phone numbers and emails that forward to your real accounts.
Make sure you’re using strong passwords and login verification.
Be careful when using dating apps and sexting.
Offline
Protect your home address by renting a box at a commercial mail-receiving agency (ex: UPS) or using a mail forwarding service.
Use doorbell/security cameras to see who is outside and keep a record of who has approached your home.
Invest in a shredder and use it for any documents that contain personal information before you throw them out.
If You are Being Stalked or Harassed
Document the Behavior
If you’re being stalked or harassed, it’s important to keep a record of it.
Keep a log of the date, time, and details of every incident.
Save any images or videos of the abuse and take screenshots of posts in case they are taken down.
You can use a tool like DocuSAFE to store the data.
Protect Your Address
Many states have laws that will allow you to use a fictitious address and confidential mail forwarding services.
California: https://www.sos.ca.gov/registries/safe-home
Nevada: https://dcfs.nv.gov/Programs/CAP/ConfidentialAddressProgram/
Other states: Victim Connect Resource Map
Coming Soon: How to File a Restraining Order
Additional Resources
Tools
COACH: Crash Override's Automated Cybersecurity Helper
COACH will help walk you through locking down your online identity step-by-step, and give you direct links to tools and websites that will help you secure yourself.Tech Safety App
This app contains information that can help someone identify technology-facilitated harassment, stalking, or abuse and includes tips on what can be done. Available in English and Spanish.DocuSAFE: Documentation and Evidence Collection App
This app is a documentation tool that can help someone document abuse, store documentation, and share documentation with trusted contacts. Available in English.
Get Help Now
Victim Connect
Confidential referrals for victims of crime, including stalking.Cyber Civil Rights Initiative Helpline
For victims of nonconsensual distribution of intimate images (also known as “revenge porn”), recorded sexual assault, or sextortion.The National Domestic Violence Hotline
Call 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) for highly-trained, expert advocates that offer free, confidential, and compassionate support, crisis intervention information, education, and referral services in over 200 languages.The Network/La Red LGBTQ Hotline
Call 1-800-832-1901 24-hours a day for confidential emotional support, information, referrals, safety planning, and crisis intervention for lesbian, gay, bisexual, queer and/or transgender (LGBQ/T) folks.