Digital abuse a form of control, experts say
Following a killing in a Wyomissing shopping center, Safe Berks says domestic violence is more common than most people realize.
“Knowing you have rights over your own privacy including digital is a big, important step and there are cases where it’s important to someone’s safety to start fresh with a brand-new phone.” — Francine M. Scoboria, communications coordinator with Safe Berks
Advances in technology have spawned new ways to spy on an intimate partner, but experts say all forms of domestic abuse are rooted in attempts to control the victim.
Safe Berks issued a press release in the aftermath of the gunshot slaying of Alexi Rodriguez Serra, 34, of Allentown on Saturday afternoon in a bustling Wyomissing shopping center, a crime precipitated, according to police, by the suspect using a GPS device to track the movement of his partner’s car.
Nehemias Santiago Montes, 38, of York hid his Apple Watch in the car and stalked Jessica Cruz-Rodriguez in the parking lot of Berkshire Square, more than 50 miles from his home, opening fire on Serra, who Cruz-Rodriguez was with, police said.
Cruz-Rodriguez, 30, York, suffered a severe head injury during the attack and was in critical condition in Reading Hospital.
Montes is being held in Berks County Prison awaiting a hearing on firstand third-degree murder charges.
Although Safe Berks doesn’t comment on specific cases, the release was sent the same day investigators alleged in court documents that the shooting was triggered by Montes’ jealous rage over seeing the woman he referred to as his wife in another man’s vehicle.
“Safe Berks stands with all victims of domestic violence and sexual assault and their families and loved ones,” the release began, noting its free and confidential services are provided 24 hours a day.
Domestic violence is much more common than most people realize, and typically escalates from relatively benign attempts at control, said Francine M. Scoboria, communications coordinator with Safe Berks.
Digital abuse and digital stalking are becoming more common forms of intimate partner abuse, she said.
Not everyone recognizes attempts to control another person’s use of phones and social media as abuse.
If a partner texts you 50 times a day, however, despite being asked to cool it, or wants the passwords to your phone and social media accounts to see who you’ve been chatting with, or posting inappropriate photos of you, these are red flags of abusive behavior, Scoboria said.
Your digital rights include keeping your logins and passwords private, controlling your privacy settings on social media sites, and using your phone and social media, or not using your phone, according to your own preference.
“Knowing you have rights over your own privacy including digital is a big, important step and there are cases where it’s important to someone’s safety to start fresh with a brand-new phone,” she said.
Those who feel they are being tracked digitally are encouraged to contact Safe Berks for assistance.
“You can also talk to law enforcement, and we are available to help with that,” Scoboria said.