They also posted her address, name and other personal information online, actively encouraging people to send her abuse. The social media companies did not take the abuse seriously and said they couldn’t act because the posts lacked overtly transphobic language.
The abuse had a significant impact on Aisha’s well-being, and made her feel unsafe in her own home, as the abusers had details of her address. She was not out at work, and worried that she might be fired if her colleagues or manager saw the posts.
Galop listened to Aisha, gave her support and explored her options. Galop was able to get the posts removed and had the accounts suspended, and helped to get the crime recorded. As no one had directly contacted her at her house, Aisha decided that she would prefer to stay living there. Galop provided help in making her home more secure, and advice on how to remove her address from the public domain, such as opting out of the open register electoral roll. We also helped Aisha find social support within the trans community. The abuse stopped and Aisha felt relieved and free to move on with her life.
Names and some details have been changed to protect the anonymity of our clients
