If you identify that you or someone you know is a victim of technology-enabled abuse, there are many options to consider. The WVU Office of Equity Assurance and the legal system work independently, but in coordination. You may file a report with the University, law enforcement, with both, or with neither. The standards for determining a violation of criminal law are different than the standard in WVU’s grievance procedures. Neither the results of a criminal investigation nor the decision of law enforcement on whether to investigate determines whether a violation of the University’s policy has occurred.
First and foremost, make clear to the person that they should not contact you again, and that any further contact will result in a police report. Be aware that the harasser’s engagement may escalate rather than cease, and be prepared to notify law enforcement.
Report the abuse
Most online social media services have a way to report online harassment and abuse through their online help centers. Here are direct links to popular services:
TikTok
TikTok’s Community Guidelines prohibits hateful and abusive behavior, hateful ideology, sexual harassment, doxing, hacking, and blackmail.
Report a problem to TikTok including abusive messages, posts, accounts, and comments either individually or in bulk.
Twitter offers several options to address unwanted contact. You can report an account, a tweet, a DM, a list, or a conversation. Twitter offers a range of enforcement options. Users can:
Unfollow anyone who sends you a tweet or replies to a tweet with a comment you don’t like.
Block the user to stop them from further contacting you. To remove or block someone, click on the button with a head icon next to the Follow button on a user’s profile. After clicking it you will see a menu with option to block them. You can also report the user for spam which will alert Twitter to users abusing the service.
Report someone who continues to send you unwanted replies or threats. There are also separate reporting mechanisms for harassing or abusive behavior, impersonation, and doxing/exposing private info.
Snapchat
If someone is taking screenshots of your images without permission, sending pictures without permission, or sending negative comments, doing the following actions will prevent them from sending you snaps or chat or from viewing your content:
Block a friend by tapping on the Menu icon, locating their name in the My Friends list, swipe right across their name and press Delete.
To block someone who added you on Snapchat, tap the “added me” on the Profile Screen, tap their name and the Wheel Icon next to their name, and press block.
Report abuse to Snapchat by completing their online form.
Facebook insists that they do not tolerate bullying or abuse and once aware, will remove content and may disable the account. Facebook will not tolerate pages that identify and shame private individuals, images that have been altered to degrade private individuals, photos or videos of physical bullying posted to shame a victim, sharing personal information to blackmail or harass people, or repeatedly targeting other people with unwanted friend requests or messages.
Unfriend or block a person by clicking on their profile and on the message dropdown you will see the option to unfriend and/or block
Use the Report Links which appears on the page to report profiles, images, posts, videos, DMs, pages, groups, ads, event, or comments or Report Abuse through Facebook’s Help Center.
If someone on Instagram is sending you negative comments, has created a fake profile, or has hacked into your account, Instagram’s advice is to block and unfollow the person.
To block someone on Instagram, tap their username to open their profile, tap the three dots, and press the option to block user.
If the abuse continues, report the user to Instagram through their help center. You can report abusive messages, posts, comments, and accounts. There are also separate reporting mechanisms for abuse/spam content, bullying or harassment, impersonation, and exposed private information (doxing).
WhatsApp prohibits submitting content that’s illegal, obscene, defamatory, threatening, intimidating, harassing, hateful, racially or ethnically offensive, or instigates or encourages conduct that would be illegal or otherwise inappropriate.
Block and delete a contact who may be abusing you through WhatsApp by clicking on their name, using the drop down menu, and choosing to ‘block’ the person.
Report the person; however, if you Report an abuser, they can still send you texts, messages, or voice notes.
Report and Block an individual account. This option will delete your chats with the abuser. You may want to take screenshots before reporting and blocking to document the harassment.
Report and Exit a group.
Document the abuse
Save all communications with the stalker for evidence—do NOT edit the communications in any way. If the harasser posts comments online, keep copies and considering unpublishing the content rather than deleting it. Save texts, phone calls, and voicemails, take screenshots, or create a log with details. Make sure to include the date, time, location, suspected technology involved, a brief description, and note any witnesses. Save your evidence in multiple places, even physical locations. Consider using this incident and behavior log form from the Stalking Prevention, Awareness, & Resource Center (SPARC).
Plan for your personal safety
Throwing away devices, closing accounts, and otherwise ending an abuser’s access could escalate their behavior. Before you throw away a camera or GPS tracker, think about how the abuser might respond and be sure you have a plan for your physical well-being, including an ally and a safe place to go.
If the person is publishing harmful information about you in other online spaces, complain to the moderator or online system administrators. Keep a record of all your communications with that person.
Block or filter communications from the harasser, including calls, texts, and online messages. Social media platforms all offer advice on how to block communications. You can also block senders from your MIX Gmail account.
Tell your family, friends, and employer that someone is stalking you online.
Keep a record of all communications with law enforcement.
Always trust your instincts. If you suspect that someone knows too much about you or your activities, it is possible that you are being monitored.
Get assistance
WVU supports the choices individuals make—whether or not to report, and to whom to report—and recognizes that these choices are particularly difficult in some cases. If you are unsure whether or not you would like to file a formal report, you can meet with a private Title IX Specialist to discuss your reporting options first. If you wish to speak to someone anonymously, please call or text the Anonymous On-Call Line at 304-906-9930. Someone is available to take your call 24 hours a day
Visit the Division of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion’s Resources and Reporting Options page to review your options.
Students, faculty, and staff can report cyberstalking to the University by calling the Equity Assurance and Title IX office at 304-293-5600 or by filing a report online. Abuse or harassment can also be reported to the University Police Department at 304-293-3136 or to other law enforcement agencies with jurisdiction over the crime.
Keep in mind that all faculty and staff at West Virginia University are considered responsible employees (except counselors and pastoral staff, who are exempt from reporting and maintain confidential status). This means that when a Title IX related or other forms of discrimination and harassment incident are disclosed to them, they must report it to the University to ensure the safety of the individual and the campus community. However, all WVU employees who are aware of Prohibited Conduct are encouraged to report such conduct and File A Complaint.
When an individual has experienced harm or is a party to an investigation, the Office of Equity Assurance can also assist students with a number of supportive measures, including but not limited to:
Access to counseling services
On-Campus No Contact Directive
Rescheduling exams/ assignments
Providing alternate course options
Changing class/work schedules
Changing work/job assignments
Temporary suspension to campus facilities/housing
Limit access to certain privileges and events
Escort to ensure safety
Medical care
Tutoring
University-imposed leave or suspension
Alternative housing options
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