That’s Textual Harassment, And I Don’t Have To Take It!
Posted by: Catherine Strawn
Filed in:
relationships
8:30AM, Wednesday March 18th 2009
A little while back, I shared why I thought text messaging was keeping romance alive, despite being more impersonal than phone calls or face-to-face contact. Text messaging is a powerful form of communication, but with great power comes…stalkers! A report by the U.S. Justice Department’s Bureau of Statistics found that 23 percent of stalking or harassment victims had been pestered using some form of cyberstalking, which includes IMs, emails, and text messages. In fact, cyberstalking has become such a widespread issue that 46 states have anti-stalking laws that refer to forms of electronic communication.
“Textual harassment,” as people are calling harassment via text message is probably popular for the same reasons booty-calls via text are—it’s an easy, non-confrontational way to get your point across to somebody. However, it’s no less invasive than other forms of harassment. The site ThatsNotCool.com is trying to bring awareness to the issue with e-cards that say things like, “You’re much more attractive when you’re not textually harassing me,” and “Thanks for helping me exceed my text message limit.” Unfortunately, sending one of those to an ex probably won’t keep him from assaulting your inbox.
Have you ever been textually harassed? [Sydney Morning Herald]
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elpee
wrote on March 18 2009 @ 10:13 am: [report]
Does this count: “Things have been crazy these past 2 weeks… Don’t worry I haven’t forgotten you. I’m going to undress you and toss you around like Cirque du Soleil.” (Actual Text)
Is that sexy or… rape-sounding? Is this what guys honestly think girls want to hear? Although, I am impressed that he knew how to spell “Soleil”.
runner13
wrote on March 18 2009 @ 10:17 am: [report]
it’s like that website, http://textsfromlastnight.com. a whole database of rude texts!
Blueclover56
wrote on March 18 2009 @ 10:24 am: [report]
My ex hasn’t been able to let the relationship go. I can ignore his calls. And he’s figured that out. So he texts, even though I’ve learned to delete them before I even read them he texts so much in a single day it fills up my inbox and I have to keep cleaning out my phone. It’s sad and creepy.
develange
wrote on March 18 2009 @ 10:42 am: [report]
I stupidly gave my number to this guy I talked to once or twice on a dating site and he won’t stop texting me. I have since deleted that account and have been ignoring his texts for almost five months and he STILL texts me. WTF? Can’t he take the hint? Hasn’t he found someone else to annoy yet? I’ve tried blocking his number though my phone but it hasn’t worked. What can I do?
Shani Lyric
wrote on March 18 2009 @ 12:44 pm: [report]
Wow, that website is so passive aggressive!
LynneSkysong
wrote on March 18 2009 @ 01:49 pm: [report]
I’ve been having IM stalking issues. The worst so far would be this one (actual text):
“Now that I have talked to you, I can die. I am sorry that I caused you so much pain. Maybe you will be happier without me. I will love you always my angel.”
Yes, I was stupid enough to talk to him, even if it was just a little. The threat of suicide is nothing new, it’s one the reasons I broke up with him. He feels like his whole life should revolve around me, that I’m responsible for all his happiness. He wouldn’t listen when I told him he had to love himself before he could truly love me or anyone else. Oh, you should, I called his mom when I received this message (at 3:30AM) and his attempt was not successful. He needs help, but he won’t listen.