What to Do

1. Document the events.
Keep track of instances when the person harassing you makes contact, attempts to make contact, threatens you, sends unwanted gifts or reaches out to you in any other way. This will help you build your case.

2. Call for help.
If you feel you're in immediate danger, call 911. Otherwise, call Victim Services at 803-777-4215 or email victimhelp@sc.edu.

 

Documenting the Events

Write down every instance of the person harassing and/or stalking you. Keep a log and put it in a safe place. Write down everything — phone calls, letters, emails, Facebook messages, Snapchats, texts, voicemails, visits, acts of vandalism or attempts to contact you through other people. 

 

Know the Signs

Stalking, also known as criminal harassment, is used to scare, threaten or control a victim. It can start with small incidents and escalate, possibly even becoming life-threatening. Signs of possible harassment or stalking include:

• Showing up uninvited at your home, school or workplace.
• Making repeated unwanted phone calls to you.
• Calling your employer or professor.
• Sending you unwanted text messages, letters, emails or voicemails.
• Using other people as resources to investigate your life, such as viewing your Facebook page through another person's profile or adding your friends to get more information about you.
• Sending you unwanted gifts.
• Using social networking sites and technology to track you.
• Spreading rumors about you via the internet or through word of mouth.
• Waiting at places you hang out.
• Damaging your home, car or other property.
• Contacting, harassing or threatening your friends and family.
• Using your email address to sign you up for excessive unwanted newsletters, listservs or porn sites.
• Broadcasting your personal information to wide audiences online such as on internet forums.
• Posting humiliating or untrue information about you online that could be damaging to your reputation.
• Creating one or multiple false social media account(s) in your name with your pictures and name. They may post personal information about you or may fabricate information.
• Using social media check-ins to physically stalk you.
• Logging your keystrokes or using other tracking software on your computer.

Cyberstalking
Cyberstalking is the use of the internet to threaten, pursue, humiliate, or intimidate someone. The impact can be devastating to a victim and should be taken seriously, as it can escalate to (or coincide with) physical stalking and acts of violence. 

 

Talk to Someone

Individual and group counseling, walk-in appointments and crisis intervention are available Counseling Services.