Mien’s Story

Mien, like her peers, enjoys spending time with friends when she has free time. She frequently visited her close friend in her friend’s rental room for social gatherings and chatting. One day, when Mien went to her friend’s room to freshen up and take a shower, she noticed a mobile phone on the top of the bathroom recording her. Mien was taken aback, and a little later she discovered that someone outside had taken the phone and fled. Shocked, terrified, and worried, Mien hurried to the police station to report the incident, but there was no evidence of the person who illegally recorded on the phone.

Returning home, she cried a lot, had a breakdown, and lived in constant fear that her private moment would be broadcast for all to see. Her mind drifted to the possible risks, and she began to lose weight. The more she investigated, the more concerned she became. Returning home, she cried a lot, had a breakdown, and lived in constant fear that her private moment would be broadcast for all to see. Her mind drifted to the possible risks, and she began to lose weight. The more she investigated, the more concerned she became.

Hopeless and in need of emotional support, Mien confessed her fears and emotions to her friends, but it didn’t seem to help. Those who advised, “Don’t worry, be happy” or “time will fade everything away,” were not touching on Mien’s emotional pain. It also caused a schism between Mien and her friends. Her friends thought she was overthinking it, and she thought they didn’t understand her. That’s when Mien decided to seek another form of assistance and discovered Hagar.

Working with Hagar, Mien was provided a safe place where she could express her feelings without judgement and find empathy. Mien’s reaction was one of the common responses that anyone in her situation would have made to protect themselves, according to psychology. This explanation freed Mien from stressful thoughts. She actively controls her internet searches for self-image needs, plans self-care and outdoor activities with friends, and employs emotional management tools that the Hagar psychologist recommended to alleviate her negative emotions when they arise.

“Thank you so much, Hagar! I’m so grateful that you gave me the strength to get through this crisis. If it had been me before working with Hagar, I would never have believed anyone who had told me that I would be fine again. Now that I understand myself better, I’m doing much better and am capable of handling my own issues”

Currently, Mien plans time for self-care while nurturing her friendships and her business endeavours. Just as we care for other abuse survivors, providing assistance for survivors of invasions of privacy is also a way Hagar supports survivors of abuse. Hagar believes that, as long as we respect that everyone’s trauma is unique, we can positively impact the lives of those going through difficult times by trying to practice patience, compassion, and creating an empathetic community.