Are you a digital security trainer, a helpline responder supporting spyware cases, or someone who accompanies communities through security challenges? If you missed our recent Community Call on Psychosocial Support & Digital Safety, we’ve got you covered.
As part of our Community Call series under the Cybersecurity Assessment Tool (CAT) project, we convened on November 4 to explore two vital questions:
- How can we better support people experiencing digital attacks?
- How can we collectively protect and care for those who provide that support?
This conversation is central to our regional support efforts. Together with Fundación Acceso and Digital Society of Africa (DSA), we brought together nearly 80 participants from across the globe to share knowledge, experiences, and strategies.
Below, we highlight key insights that can guide your work, and serve as a reminder that you are not alone. Many people and organizations are asking the same questions, and this shared space is part of building a stronger, more connected community of care.
“Our work is like a marathon race, we preserve energy and move on” – Community call participant.
Practical strategies for holistic support
For organizations providing digital security accompaniment, it is important to:
- Build partnerships with individuals or organizations with psychosocial support expertise and experience.
- Strengthen local expertise to foster trust with communities.
- Establish alliances with legal professionals to assist in cases of criminalization.
- Collaborate with international organizations, donors, or funders who can:
- Support safe relocation when necessary.
- Promote and sustain collective emergency funds.
- Provide equipment and devices for digital safety work.
These insights were shared by Fundacion Acceso as their lessons learned in implementation.
While providing support
- Tawanda from DSA emphasized the importance of their presence in nine countries, with teams speaking local languages and understanding the context, to build trust and support networks effectively. This approach helps maintain strong, culturally relevant community connections.
- Riece Hamilton from Expert Voices Together mentioned that people prefer to talk 1:1 with someone, rather than receiving a pamphlet or handout about self-care strategies. People need human connection, and we remind them they are cared for.
- Different identities, especially intersecting and historically marginalized ones, experience trauma differently and react uniquely. Supporters must adapt their psychosocial support to these diverse realities.
- Pay close attention to each situation, then develop a support plan that covers not only digital safety but also physical and emotional safety.
Continually build capacity in psychosocial strategies, because without proper training, well-intentioned support can unintentionally cause further harm. Continuous learning in psychosocial strategies is critical.
Taking care of your team and yourselves
Supporting others can take an emotional toll. Providing care for those who provide care is essential
- Offer training and emotional support to those working in digital security accompaniment. Practitioners often experience the same emotional effects as victims. Providing care for those who provide care is essential.
- Create space for joy and play in your work.
- Ground yourself through deep listening exercises. After each 1:1 or group session, take 5 to 10 minutes before joining another call. Here are quick grounding tips:
- Listen to a soundscape and notice where the sounds resonate in your body.
- Play lo-fi music and walk around your space to move your body and recharge your energy.
- Step into the sun or wind and take five deep, slow breaths
- Stretch your wrists and spine before returning to work.
These simple listening exercises help replenish energy and strengthen collective care.
Resources shared during the call
- The Holistic Support Guide – by Fundacion Acceso (Spanish)
- State of the Internet Freedom in Africa – Digital Society of Africa
- Butter Box – offline, multilingual mobile hotspot for areas with no internet access (DSA)
- Even the Finest Warriors – Yara Salam (shared by Mirah Lake, Awaad Learning)
- Lesbian, Bisexual, and Queer Women Online – 5-country Asia study on TFGBV (Outright International) – Shared by Mandhura
- Report by Luchadoras on helpline work and feminist digital care (Spanish) – shared by Alicia Reynoso
- Guide by Luchadoras, Hiperderecho and TEDIC countering hate speech collectively (Spanish)
- Expert Voices Together – support resources for journalists and researchers
If you’d like to dive deeper, you can read the full community call recap, including participant questions and detailed discussion points.
Our support spaces
If you need further support or would like to connect with us, explore one of the spaces below:
LiTS supports organizations countering anti-rights narratives, strengthening community organizing, and assessing organizational security through a holistic lens. If you’d like to explore related resources or connect with specialized partners, schedule time with our team.
CATio is dedicated to supporting at-risk organizations using the Cybersecurity Assessment Tool (CAT). Book your CATio session for personalized guidance or reach us out directly at cybercat@theengineroom.org.
Finally, if you’re familiar with the practice of the “eight-minute catch-up,” we encourage you to put it into action, and don’t forget to book a CATio session with us. We’re here to listen.