"We like to say that we go after everybody from the biggest corporations like Amazon to your ex-boyfriend. We sue, we get money, we get people arrested, we have a whole glorious toolbox of ways to go after people and companies." — Carrie Goldberg
"The hardest part of any sort of crime that somebody's experiencing is the feeling that it's only you that nobody else in your life has any inkling of what you're going through or has any experience with something similar but the most important thing is just to tell somebody that you trust." — Carrie Goldberg
"It's illegal to threaten to post naked pictures because usually there's an element of coercion 'I'm gonna post this to punish you for X or I'm gonna post this if you don't come back to me' which is also illegal. It's illegal everywhere except Massachusetts and what the other state but we now have 48 states plus DC where it's a crime to post." — Carrie Goldberg
Carrie Goldberg, a victim's rights attorney, shares her expertise on combating digital harassment and abuse. Her firm represents clients facing attacks from ex-partners, who may use the internet to spread nudes, impersonate victims, or fabricate false evidence leading to legal trouble. Goldberg recounts her personal harrowing experience with a stalker after a whirlwind relationship, detailing how her ex weaponized the legal system, resulting in her arrest and an eight-month ordeal of fear and isolation. This experience motivated her to dedicate her career to helping others navigate similar situations.
The conversation delves into specific tactics employed by abusers, such as flooding victims with threatening emails and texts, the threat of posting non-consensual intimate imagery, and the dangerous act of "swatting" (making false emergency calls to law enforcement). Goldberg emphasizes the importance of not responding to threats, seeking legal counsel, and utilizing tools like orders of protection, which can lead to automatic arrest for violations. She outlines practical steps for obtaining these orders, including consulting free legal services and navigating court websites.
Goldberg also addresses the pervasive impact of social media on her work, noting that most harassment and stalking cases have an online component. She highlights the evolution of laws and platform policies to combat revenge porn and other forms of digital abuse, while also acknowledging the emotional toll and the difficulty victims face in leaving abusive relationships. Her core advice for anyone experiencing such trauma is to "never worry alone" and to reach out to a trusted individual or professional for support.