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Cyber-Stalking & Cyber-Harassment

Graphic of keyboard keys spelling out "Cyber Bully" 

What is Cyber-Bullying?

Bullying is:
  • Repeated and/or severe.
  • Aggressive behavior.
  • Likely to intimidate or intentionally hurt, control, or diminish another person, physically, or mentally.
  • Is not speech or conduct otherwise protected by the First Amendment.
It often:
  • Includes repetitive comments about race, ethnicity, religion, sex, gender, gender expression, gender identity, sexual orientation, veteran status, age, national origin or ethnicity, or disability.
  • Involves an imbalance of power, aggression, and a negative repeated behavior.
  • Can be perpetrated by one person or a group of people.
Cyberbullying is:
  • When an individual is bullied through written, verbal, or pictorial information through electronic devices, using the internet, interactive and digital technologies, or mobile phones.
Nonconsensual pornography:
  • Is often referred to as “revenge porn”
  • Is the distribution of sexually graphic images of individuals without their consent in order to intimidate or intentionally harm, hurt, control, or diminish another person.  
  • Includes both images originally obtained without consent (e.g. by using hidden cameras, hacking phones, or recording sexual assaults) as well as images consensually obtained within the context of an intimate relationship but distributed without consent.

SCU recommendations for dealing with Cyber-Stalking and Cyber-Harassment

  • If you’re unsure what to do, the Office of Student Life and Campus Safety Services can offer advice and referrals.
  • If you believe the harassment or cyber-bullying is based on your race, ethnicity, religion, sex, gender, gender expression, gender identity, sexual orientation, veteran status, age, national origin, or disability, contact the Office of Equal Opportunity and Title IX.
  • Call, stop by, or report the issue using the online form: https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?SantaClaraUniv&layout_id=40
When cyber-stalking and/or cyber-harassment involves these activities it MAY BE considered a crime and should be reported to law enforcement:
  • Threats of violence
  • Child pornography or sending sexually explicit messages or photos
  • Taking a photo or video of someone in a place where he or she would expect privacy
  • Stalking
  • Hate crimes

Some states consider other forms of cyberbullying criminal. Consult your state’s laws and law enforcement for additional guidance. https://www.stopbullying.gov/laws/index.html

  • Ordinarily, we recommend you don’t respond as this may escalate the harassment and/or abusive posts. 
  • If you know the person, decide whether to respond to the first message, telling them to stop. If the first message is anonymous, we recommend that you don’t respond. Don’t respond to any additional messages and block or delete/unfriend/unfollow the person.
 
  • Review personal information you have posted on your social media accounts that you do not want other people to have (your address, cell phone number, class schedule, residence hall room number, etc.). 
  • Take steps to limit what information is shared with the public, friends of friends, etc. 
  • Block or delete/unfriend/unfollow the person if they have contacted you through one of your social media pages. 
  • Have your friends/relatives block the person as well. 

 

Take screen shots. Save all communications for evidence. Do not alter them in any way. Keep electronic copies, not just print-outs. Having forms of proof such as the actual text messages, e-mails, and voicemail makes it easier to build a case for harassment and/or pursue charges in civil or criminal court.