Okay, here goes...

I am being victimized by someone who has a malicious political agenda against my dad (who holds a low-level county government elected seat.) Apparently this individual has been sufficiently pissed off by my dad's political activities that he has set out to slander him in anyway possible. Somehow, beyond my comprehension, this person was able to discover my provider website and P-four-one-one Ad. He proceeded to created a fake Facebook page, impersonating my dad, and then sent links to my ad site to my (now ex-)boyfriend, as well as an unknown number of other Facebook friends and family.

I spoke to my dad about it and he seems to believe this activity is somehow criminal and can be investigated and prosecuted. I'm not so sure. I am horrified - I have never had someone set out to hurt and attack me like this before. I feel, once again, that my status as a provider leaves me susceptible to these types of victimizing-scenarios without any legal support.

I don't know what to do. I am terrified of how far this person is willing to go to hurt me/my dad. I don't know if he is going to try to meet me for a session (he could very possibly be a local hobbyist,) physically stalk me, try to report me to the police or CPS, or who knows what other lengths someone with this type of malicious personality is capable of.

I have edited my face out of my website photos as well as my P-four-one-one Ad. I'm working my way through old ads and other places to delete pics that show my face. I'm on the verge of pausing my website and getting off the radar as much as humanly possible. Unfortunately, the timing is horrible for me, as I'm just getting back to work after a hiatus these past few months.

I just want to cry. I am so afraid. What did I ever do to deserve this? There is a very real possibility that he could be able to read this thread, so please keep that in mind when replying. It might be better to message me your reply, to keep your advice private.

Thank you for your feedback and support. I look forward to hearing what you all have to say.

Sincerely,
Summer Goddess

Get a lawyer and restraining order immediately, IMHO.

Keep us posted

Just get a lawyer and other protection, that you feel comfortable with for yourself. I hate to hear these scumbags doing this to people in this hobby. I hope you find the asshole and send his butt to jail. Don't let him, make you live your life in fear. Fight back and get his ass!!!!

END OF MESSAGE

I can't tell you how much I appreciate the feedback, concern, and support. I knew I could count on you guys to give me some perspective on this issue.

If you have emailed or PM'd me - I will get back to you, but I have dozens of messages and am sifting through them slowly.

I am no longer afraid... I'm not ashamed of what I do, half of my friends and family already know anyway and they love and support me unconditionally. Now I'm just pissed and on a mission.

I've decided that I will not change my name and start over... my reputation is impeccable going back many years - I have worked HARD for that and will not let some vindictive prick steal it away from me.

I'll be getting a hobby-friendly attorney right away to protect me in case of any other backlash as a result of this. I hope this guy knows who he's messing with. I'm a Fire sign and I don't back down from bullies!

Okay, I think my soon-to-be attorney would advise me against writing any further, lol.

Hi Summer,

I don't post much here but in reading these demented happenings, let's hope that he is a hobbyist so you can fight fire with fire. All the best!

END OF MESSAGE

Sick of these hypocritical virtuecrat bastards.  I truly wish the best for you.

As everyone is saying, this is something you need to take very seriously, and you absolutely shouldn't assume/hope it will just go away.  
The issue is the attackers motivation/mind-set, which we can't judge. Politics can be a very dirty game, but some of the people who play the dirtiest can be coldly rational/Machiavellian, while others can be wingnuts with a very loose grasp of reality. A restraining order could stop the first type, but send the second type into even more of a vicious frenzy. A good lawyer--one who understands the nastiness of local politics, but who can look at the situation with some emotional detachment, can be helpful.  
To be blunt, the court system isn't very useful in resolving "political" cat fights (and will be especially unhelpful given your situation). But even if there's no immediate legal action you can take, it is important to build a solid record with an attorney in case things escalate further.  
If the attacker is someone active in local politics, there may be things your father and attorney can do to get the word out that this guy has crossed the line into totally despicable behavior. If the attacker has any connection with the hobby, you can similarly get the word out so he gets blackballed. You need to respond somehow, but first you need to understand who this is and what their real mindset is, and you need the input of (perhaps several) people who can provide a cold, outside perspective.  
Best of luck, we are all rooting for you, let us know if there is anything we can help wit

All of the above, but you really should go one step further. If you have the financial means and a sufficient number of regular clientele, go UTR. See only your regulars (or referrals from provider friends you absolutely trust)) until he either gives up or legal remedies cause him to back off. Google your name as well as your true identity to make sure there is no connection between the two.  Of course, those of us who have never met you will be disappointed but c'est la vie, you and your family's well being come first.

Hi Summer,

Sorry to see that you are having to go through something like this. Defamation can be very difficult to prove, especially for elected officials. The standard of proof is much higher than that for a private person.  

“One who publishes a false and defamatory communication concerning a private person, or concerning a public official or public figure in relation to a private matter, is subject to liability, if, but only if, he (a) knows that the statement is false and it defames the other, (b) acts in reckless disregard of these matters, or (c) acts negligently in failing to ascertain them.”  Antwerp Diamond Exch. of Am., Inc. v. Better Bus. Bureau of Maricopa Cnty., Inc., 130 Ariz. 523, 528, 637 P.2d 733, 738 (1981) (quoting Peagler v. Phx. News., Inc., 114 Ariz. 309, 315, 560 P.2d 1216, 1222 (1977)); see Dube v. Likins, 216 Ariz. 406, 417, 167 P.3d 93, 104 (Ct. App. 2007) (quoting Rowland v. Union Hills Cntry. Club, 157 Ariz. 301, 306, 757 P.2d 105, 110 (Ct. App. 1988)).

Truth is an affirmative defense, however, in some instances, if the defamer obtains the information illegally, then he or she can still remain liable.

In the alternative, you may be able to show a claim under false light. Arizona does recognize the tort of false light and follows Restatement (Second) of Torts § 652E. Even though the statement(s) may be true, if it portrays the plaintiff in a false light, damages can still be awarded. To establish a false light claim, a plaintiff must show that the defendant: (1) made statements about the plaintiff; (2) to the public that are; (3) “highly offensive to a reasonable person;” and (4) the defendant “had knowledge of or acted in reckless disregard as to the falsity of the publicized matter and the false light in which the [plaintiff] would be placed.” See Hart v. Seven Resorts, Inc., 947 P.2d 846 (1997); Godbehere v. Phoenix Newspapers, Inc., 783 P.2d 781, 787 (1989).