'Textual Harassment' a Serious Problem for Cell Phone Users

by Terrence O'Brien on March 4, 2009 at 01:27 PM

One of the newest weapons in the arsenal of stalkers is text messaging. Texting has two major perks for those hell-bent on harassment: the constant attachment folks have to their cell phones and the tendency of handsets to pester their owners until unopened messages are viewed. These aspects make harassment via text message particularly difficult to ignore or escape.

So-called "textual harassment" has exploded in recent years as SMS messages have become more popular. According to a study by the U.S. Justice Department, 23-percent of harassment victims in 2006 reported being accosted via electronic communications such as text messages or e-mails.

Victims aren't without recourse, though. If they report the harassment to authorities, victims can request that the cell phone provider identify the sender and then file charges. Victims can also try disarming their harassers with lighthearted e-cards from That's Not Cool, although we doubt that a serious stalker is going to have a change of heart after receiving an e-mail thanking them for exceeding their victim's text messaging limit. [From: SFGate.com]

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Comments

PJD120Mar 4th 2009 2:39PM

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I just don't understand all this text messaging. Why don't you just call the damn person, period. I know kids are in love with it, this is their era, but for adults to be on a phone and just typing away instead of just calling the person telling them what they want them to know is just plain stupid.

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BfoolishMar 9th 2009 5:40AM

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that's stupid just don't read the text or block the number jesus people are babies

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KatchenMar 7th 2009 9:12PM

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Dear BFoolish & PJD120,
Not all phones have the capability to do what you suggest, such as my lowest cost TrakPhone. Believe me, if I could block the SOB stalking me I would. Last night he texted me at 3:30am. He texts me every day at odd hours. I have never responded. And unfortunately have to read his pathetic texts in order to document them for the police. I met him on mySpace and gave him my cell number before I realized that he was seriously disturbed. I thank God I did not give him my home number!
As for not texting and calling instead... I don't want anything to do with this bastard. I don't even want to hear his voice, also I wouldn't be able to subpoena his phone/text records and have him thrown in jail. Phone calls are not enough to prove harrassment but texting is written proof. Texts are what indicted the ex-Mayor of Chicago of perjury!

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River Jump InMar 5th 2009 12:04PM

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SusanneMar 7th 2009 8:13PM

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I received a strange test message the other day saying they got my number from a friend and I want to know who it is, they typed in a website. I ignored it because I thought it was a bunch of BS. However, I have my cell phone listed on the national Do Not Call List. They had their number blocked. After reading this story, it makes me wonder.

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howardroark43Mar 7th 2009 8:58PM

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i never get harrassed... * single tear *

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stretchMar 7th 2009 10:05PM

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texting is for middle schoolers IN CLASS, lol, grow the F%$^ up ppl seriously....i cant stand it when a female is on that texting ish....

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