Stella Reddy's Story of Hope

I wrote this post over the past few days with AI’s help. I have experienced these things the past few years but it is getting better with every day that passes. It is important to acknowledge the effects of this behaviour and I hope my suffering will help prevent someone else from feeling as I did. I also apologize for the doxxing of them I did in the past online.

I wanted to share this post before the domain they made, stellareddy.com, disappears in April so you can see Doxxing in action… It is important to see actual examples to know what to look for…

Doxxing, the act of publicly exposing someone’s private or personal information without their consent, can have profound and long-lasting psychological effects on victims.

It is about time that people who do this behaviour face the consequences of their actions and I am so happy to see so many hosting companies adding this to their Policies. Governments are also putting rules in place to protect others from these toxic behaviours online. One day no one will be able to Doxx another online and I hope I am still here to see that.

If you look at stellareddy.com you will see the maps and pictures they share from their research but know that since this content was online on March 13, 2024, no one has approached me or my husband.

I have been very safe since I moved here, especially knowing the local Police are also aware of this situation and I can call on them if needed. (Yes, I reported this to the Police, here and in Ontario, but they say they don’t have enough to charge them)

When I first saw the personal info being shared on the new version of stellareddy.com in March 2024, my anxiety spiked high but once I calmed down, I realized that it didn’t make any difference. I know the truth and that is all I need.

I still get a little hypervigilant when I am outside, my anxiety won’t go away completely, but it doesn’t stop me from going anywhere. It is all part of the PTSD I have had for many years.

Just knowing this content is there, whether anyone is looking or not, still affects my anxiety, unfortunately. It is there in my mind and we know how that works, but I can deal with it.

While I have suffered from many of these psychological effects of the Doxxing noted below over the past 8 years, I have recovered enough that it doesn’t get to me anymore. Besides, they have become a broken record, repeating the same info over and over! lol It has become boring for me these days.

The education and therapy I have received since 2019 have shown me they are cyberbullies who use doxxing to make me suffer in any way they can out of revenge. Once you read the content on that website, you will see it for yourself.

I have lived in peace in Newfoundland & Labrador for the past 4 1/2 years and have learned to enjoy Retirement, even with their nasty words online and I will continue to do so. I live in gratitude every day that I am strong enough to grow beyond this situation and can feel joy and happiness once again. I have received a lot of help to get me here today, so I thank you all.

I haven’t worked since July 2018 and while I miss it at times, I enjoy my autonomy. I take part in Community events that interest me, even attend webinars here at home, and do all I can to improve my physical and mental health.

I like Retirement, it gives me opportunities to learn new things, like how to use the Drone I got for Christmas!

So please, if you are being doxxed online, know that it isn’t about you but about getting them attention for themselves. They want people to read their “sob stories” and “feel sorry” for them, that’s all.

Legal Actions Against ME from October 2017- January 2020

• Landlord and Tenant Board Eviction Document released October 3, 2017: TEL-83876-17 (Re), 2017 CanLII 84930 (ON LTB) https://canlii.ca/t/hpbxw
• Divisional Court Document Released April 15, 2019: https://canlii.ca/t/hzs47
• Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario was Released on January 22, 2020, after KR & AR didn’t show up for the Hearing by Teleconference: ER v. Liscio, 2020 HRTO 73 (CanLII), <https://canlii.ca/t/j4z4w>, ER v. Liscio, 2019 HRTO 415 (CanLII), <https://canlii.ca/t/hz14r>

This invasion of privacy often leads to harassment, threats, and a sense of vulnerability, which can severely impact a person’s mental health and well-being.

Thankfully, I have had no harassment or threats from anyone other than the authors of these sites in many years, but what they have done in the contents of that site does bring out a sense of vulnerability but it isn’t as bad as it was.

At the beginning of this mess, I hid away for just over 2 years, from June 2018 to September 2020, out of fear of being attacked by them, or another tenant that was on their side. My fear and anxiety at leaving the apartment was severe and I had to get away from that.

Which is why we moved in September 2020 as I couldn’t deal with hiding away anymore. I am not a person who hides away, I face situations given the chance. I knew that moving to Newfoundland and Labrador, where the members of the Community wouldn’t care about the anonymous words of a stranger, was where I could be safe to Retire and live in peace. I was right!

I refuse to live my life in fear of them or anyone else. Even when they found my address and made lorriereddy.com, which only contained my new Facebook, while scary, it didn’t affect the healing I have done to that point. Once that site was no longer, they posted this doxxing info on stellareddy.com instead.

Below is an in-depth look at the psychological effects of doxxing on victims but know that with help, you can get over it over time:

Chronic Anxiety and Fear

One of the most immediate psychological effects of doxxing is a heightened sense of fear and anxiety. Victims often feel unsafe knowing their personal information—such as their home address, pictures, email, workplace, or phone number—is readily accessible to malicious individuals.

This anxiety can manifest in several ways:

• Hypervigilance: Victims may become overly cautious or paranoid, constantly looking over their shoulders, fearing physical harm or further exposure.
•  Panic Attacks: The stress of being targeted can trigger sudden and intense panic attacks, characterized by a racing heart, difficulty breathing, and a sense of impending doom.
•  Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD): For some, the constant worry about their safety or the safety of their loved ones can develop into a long-term anxiety disorder.

This persistent fear can disrupt daily life, making it difficult for victims to focus on work, maintain relationships, or even leave their homes.

Loss of Privacy and Safety

The public exposure of personal information creates a feeling of vulnerability and helplessness. Victims often feel as though their personal space has been violated, leading to:

• A sense of powerlessness: Knowing that their personal information is in the hands of strangers can make victims feel as though they have no control over their lives.
• Loss of trust: Victims may struggle to trust others, fearing further betrayal or exposure.
• Social withdrawal: To regain a sense of safety, many victims isolate themselves from both online and offline interactions, which can exacerbate feelings of loneliness and depression.

This sense of vulnerability often persists long after the initial doxxing incident, as victims worry that their information may resurface or be exploited again in the future.

Depression and Hopelessness

Doxxing can lead to severe emotional distress, including feelings of shame, humiliation, and helplessness. When victims are harassed or attacked online as a result of their information being exposed, they may begin to feel a sense of worthlessness. Over time, these emotions can lead to:

• Clinical depression: Prolonged sadness, loss of interest in previously enjoyed activities, and feelings of hopelessness are common among victims.
• Self-blame: Many victims internalize the trauma, blaming themselves for being doxxed, even though the real fault lies with the perpetrators.
• Difficulty seeking help: Feeling overwhelmed or ashamed, some victims may hesitate to seek professional help, which can worsen their mental state.

For some, the psychological toll of doxxing can even lead to suicidal thoughts, particularly if the harassment becomes relentless or they feel there is no way to escape the situation.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Doxxing can be a deeply traumatic experience, especially if it leads to prolonged harassment, threats, or stalking. Victims may develop symptoms of PTSD, including:

• Intrusive thoughts or flashbacks: Victims may relive the experience of being doxxed, especially if the harassment escalated to physical threats or violence.
• Avoidance behaviours: To cope with the trauma, victims may avoid using the internet, interacting with others, or engaging in activities that remind them of the incident.
• Emotional numbness: Over time, some victims may become emotionally detached as a defence mechanism to protect themselves from further harm.

This trauma can significantly impact a victim’s ability to function in their personal and professional life.

Damage to Self-Identity

Doxxing often targets sensitive aspects of a victim’s identity, such as their political beliefs, sexual orientation, or religion. When these details are exposed, victims may feel as though their identity has been weaponized against them. This can lead to:

• Shame and humiliation: Victims may feel embarrassed about their private information being made public, even if they did nothing wrong.
• Erosion of self-esteem: Repeated harassment or criticism from strangers can diminish a victim’s sense of self-worth.
• Identity crisis: In extreme cases, victims may begin to question their own identity, values, or beliefs, especially if they face significant backlash or ostracization from their community.

Social and Professional Consequences

Doxxing often extends beyond the individual victim, affecting their relationships, careers, and reputations. These consequences can worsen the psychological toll by creating additional stressors:

• Relationship strain: Friends or family members of the victim may also become targets of harassment, leading to guilt and tension within close relationships.
• Career impact: If sensitive information about the victim’s workplace is exposed, they may face professional repercussions, such as losing their job or being blacklisted from their industry.
• Public shaming: Victims who are doxxed in connection with controversial opinions or actions may face widespread criticism, making it difficult for them to rebuild their reputations.

These social and professional consequences can leave victims feeling isolated and unsupported, further contributing to feelings of depression and anxiety.

Long-Term Effects

Even after the immediate fallout of doxxing subsides, the experience can leave lasting scars on a victim’s mental health. Common long-term effects include:

• Difficulty re-entering the online world: Many victims avoid social media or other online platforms due to fear of being targeted again.
• Distrust of others: The betrayal involved in doxxing—especially if it was carried out by someone the victim knew—can make it difficult for victims to form new relationships or trust existing ones.
• Ongoing hypervigilance: Even years after the incident, victims may continue to feel unsafe or worry about their information being used against them again.

The long-term psychological impact of doxxing underscores the importance of providing support and resources to victims.

Coping with the Psychological Effects of Doxxing

While the psychological toll of doxxing can be devastating, there are steps victims can take to begin the healing process:

• Seek professional help: Working with a therapist or counsellor can help victims process their emotions and develop coping strategies.
• Build a support network: Friends, family, and support groups can provide emotional support and help victims feel less isolated.
• Enhance online security: Taking steps to protect personal information—such as using pseudonyms, enabling two-factor authentication, and limiting social media visibility—can help victims regain a sense of control.
• Report the incident: Victims should report doxxing to law enforcement and the platforms where the information was shared to hold perpetrators accountable.

Conclusion

The psychological effects of doxxing are far-reaching and deeply damaging. From chronic anxiety and depression to long-term trust issues and PTSD, victims often face significant mental health challenges as a result of their experience.

Doxxing not only violates a person’s privacy but also undermines their sense of safety and self-worth. Understanding these effects is crucial in raising awareness about the harm caused by doxxing and supporting those who have been affected. By fostering a culture of empathy and accountability, we can work toward a safer and more respectful online environment.