Welcome to Helpwanted

Are you, or someone close to you, dealing with online abuse? Do you need help or do you have questions? We can help.
You can chat with us, reach us by telephone on 020 – 261 52 75, or by e-mail on [email protected]. Free and anonymous.

By online abuse we mean the misuse of your images and/or personal data, grooming, sextortion, cyberbullying, cyber-stalking, account hacking, fake profiles and online scam and fraud on the internet.

About Helpwanted

We are a Dutch non-profit organisation. We are here for people in the Netherlands who have to deal with online abuse. Helpwanted can give you personal advice. We can also assist you in removing your images and/or personal information from the internet. Helpwanted has close contacts with many social media platforms. This allows us to quickly call in help and advise each other when necessary.

13 ways to stop online abuse and regain control

1

Always remember: it’s not your fault! No one is allowed to cross your boundaries or do something without your consent.

Talk about it with someone you trust. If you are a minor, talk to an adult. Talking helps and others can better understand what kind of unpleasant situation you are in.

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If you are going to report the online abuse to the police, you will need proof of the online abuse. Therefore, first collect information from the person who is harassing you and make screenshots. Go to the website of the Dutch police (www.politie.nl/en) for more information.

Report the online abuse to the platform on which it takes place. Block the person who is harassing you.

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Warn the people around you and your online contacts if someone tries to scam people on the internet with your online identity.

Send a request to remove your images and personal data to the administrator of the relevant website.

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If someone is putting pressure on you online to do something against your will, don't respond. It may be illegal what they are asking.

If you have been scammed or transferred money to someone who is taking advantage of you, report it to your bank. You might be able to get your money back.

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Do not share your personal information online. Change your social media privacy settings to prevent strangers from contacting you.

Use strong passwords or a password manager for all your online accounts. Enable two-step authentication when possible.

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Have a virus scanner check your computer, tablet or smartphone for viruses and other malware. Make sure your device is always running the latest operating system with all security updates.

Via websites such as 'Have I Been Pwned' and 'Scattered Secrets' you can check whether your email or telephone number is part of a data breach and whether your password has been hacked.

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Stop online shaming and victim blaming!