How To Stop Someone From Harassing You Legally

As technology becomes deeply ingrained in our routines, instances of online abuse have become increasingly common. Cyber harassment is a catch-all term used to describe any online action intended to induce fear or cause harm to others.  

Being subjected to harassment online, including cyberstalking, cyberbullying, etc., can be detrimental to your physical and mental well-being. All while the harasser hides behind a screen, using their anonymity to thwart tracking of their illegal actions. Using fraudulent or hidden profiles allows perpetrators to act without fear of consequences, making it difficult for traditional legal methods to stop the harassment. 

For example, a 2020 study indicated that 44 percent of all internet users in the U.S. reported experiencing some form of harassment online.⁽¹⁾ I that wasn’t bad enough, roughly two-thirds of adults under the age of 30, approximately 64 percent, report having experiences some form of online harassment⁽²⁾.  

These factors leave victims wondering, what legal avenues they have to get these criminals to stop. Luckily there are many avenues a victim of online harassment can pursue to stop the harassment legally.  

What Constitutes Harassment?

Before you begin seeking legal representation, we suggest taking the time to understand the definition of harassment. Whether it’s committed online or in person, harassment is the intentional and continual execution of actions intended to degrade, perturb, harm, or threaten a victim. Regardless of how it’s conducted, most criminal cases require evidence of the perpetrator’s intentions, the repetition of harmful actions, and the jeopardy of the victim’s wellbeing. 

Types of Harassment

Harassment can come in many different forms. The methods differ based on the perpetrator’s path of action, but the intent remains the same. Knowing the differences is crucial to stopping harassment. 

Types of Cyber Harassment

1. Threatening Messages: Sending intimidating messages promising some type of harm.
2. Cyber Bullying: Insulting, ridiculing, or bullying in a digital space. This includes offensive comments, hate speech, and trolling to elicit an angry response. 
3. Cyber Stalking: Monitoring someone’s activity, tracking their location, investigating public records, or continuous unwanted contact. 
4. Doxxing: Posting private information without consent, such as addresses, phone numbers, emails, or places of work or school is considered doxxing. While there are many arguments about the legality of doxxing, it is considered a crime in many jurisdictions. 
5. Revenge Porn: Non-consensual distribution of explicit media by an ex-partner or significant other with the intent to humiliate the victim. As a form of NCII, revenge porn is a crime. 

Types of In-Person Harassment

1. Sexual Harassment: Unwelcomed sexual advances, requests, and other verbal or physical actions of sexual nature.
2. Workplace Harassment: Any behavior by coworkers, superiors, or clients that create a hostile work environment. 
3. Verbal Abuse: Insults or offensive remarks meant to degrade the target. 
4. Threats of Violence: Communication of intent to cause physical harm. 
5. Stalking: Following, watching, or contacting someone repeatedly. 

How Can I Stop Someone from Harassing Me?

While many states vary on what compromises harassment, each has laws that deem the act to be illegal. However, the majority of these states will need you to properly identify your harasser to report the incident to law enforcement.  

With the obscurity of online crimes, it can be difficult to collect the necessary evidence to prosecute perpetrators. However, there are organizations that can help you take action to stop the harassment. 

Contact Law Enforcement

Your first step should be contacting the police with whatever evidence you have. While their ability to stop harassment may be limited if you don’t know the identity and location of the perpetrator, a police report will be useful in the next steps of the investigation. 

Work with An Attorney

An attorney can help explain your legal protections, prepare and prosecute your case, and communicate on your behalf to alleviate the stress of the situation. They can also help you file a restraining order to stop your harasser from reaching you. Furthermore, they can direct you to resources that can help you uncover necessary evidence to stop the cyber harassment. 

Leveraging the Help of Digital Investigators

In cases where you can’t uncover your cyber harasser’s identity, digital investigators can help. They employ innovative forensic techniques to help track the sources of malicious conduct and stop cyber harassment. 

Steps to Take Immediately.

1. Don’t block the harasser: While you should cease communication, blocking them may hinder investigation and lead to further retaliation. 
2. Collect evidence: Take screenshots of conversations, record calls, and note the time of the incident. 
3. Report it: Many platforms have the option to report the harassment to their system administrators.  

How Digital Forensics Corp. Can Help.

At Digital Forensics Corp. (DFC), we employ rigorous analysis to locate and stop cyber harassment. We assist in identifying offenders and improving your safety by analyzing digital footprints. Our team is dedicated to providing you with accurate guidance throughout the entire investigation and ongoing protection after its conclusion. 

We are available 24/7, combating different cybercrimes across the globe. You can either use our website chat or call directly into our helpline for a free consultation. 

Sources:

1. Cyberbullying: Twenty Crucial Statistics for 2024 | Security.org 
2. The State of Online Harassment | Pew Research Center 

DISCLAIMER: THIS POST IS FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY AND IS NOT TO BE CONSIDERED LEGAL ADVICE ON ANY SUBJECT MATTER. DIGITAL FORENSICS CORP. IS NOT A LAWFIRM AND DOES NOT PROVIDE LEGAL ADVICE OR SERVICES. By viewing posts, the reader understands there is no attorney-client relationship, the post should not be used as a substitute for legal advice from a licensed professional attorney, and readers are urged to consult their own legal counsel on any specific legal questions concerning a specific situation.