Additonal Resources

Illinois State University is committed to providing an educational and work environment free of discrimination and harassment based on race, color, religion, gender, national origin, sexual orientation, order of protection, gender identity and expression, ancestry, age, marital status, disability, genetic information, unfavorable military discharge, or status as a veteran. For additional information, please visit the Office of Equal Opportunity, Ethics, and Access homepage.

Harassment & Discrimination Policy

Harassment

720 ILCS 135/1. Harassing and Obscene Communications Act. Sending obscene messages.

Any person in this State who sends messages or uses language or terms which are obscene, lewd or immoral with the intent to offend by means of or while using a telephone or telegraph facilities, equipment or wires of any person, firm or corporation engaged in the transmission of news or messages between states or within the State of Illinois is guilty of a Class B misdemeanor. The use of language or terms which are obscene, lewd or immoral is prima facie evidence of the intent to offend.

This includes

720 ILCS 135/1-1. Harassment by telephone

720 ILCS 135/1-2. Harassment through electronic communications

There are other forms of harassment such as

720 ILCS 5/12-7.3. Stalking

720 ILCS 5/12-7.5. Cyberstalking

Telephone Harassment

Where to Go for Help

The telephone company can assist if you are the victim of annoying, harassing, or threatening calls. Using special equipment, the telephone company can locate the number from which calls originate. If a call is coming from on campus you would need to notify the ISU Telecommunications and Networking office or if they are originating from off campus then call Verizon. If these calls continue to persist then make a police report. Both the telephone company and the police will require you to document the date and time of each call. Call tracing generally will require a signed consent form. Call tracing is not immediate and no guarantees are provided. If calls are originating from a cell phone one should first call their cell phone provider.

Telephone Tips

Don't give the caller the satisfaction of knowing you are listening. Hang up at the first obscene word.
Don't talk to a caller who refuses to identify himself.
Don't allow small children to talk on the telephone unless you know the other party.
Don't hesitate to inquire about having your number changed if you receive frequent wrong number calls. Your number may be similar to a business phone and easy for people to incorrectly dial.
Call the police if you receive threatening, obscene, or suspicious phone calls.
Never give out personal information on the telephone unless you know the caller.
If you have received obscene calls, notify the telephone company at once

Cyber Prevention Tips

Tell the person harassing you in straight forward terms, "Leave me alone, stop harassing me. Do not contact me again."
Do not reply to anything else the harasser says. No replies to emails, taunts or lies said about you.
Log all chats and IMs and save a copy as evidence. Save all e-mails and text messages as well as voicemails or voice messages. Take screen shots as well. Print all evidence, but keep the files on your hard drive.
In the case of email harassment you need to contact the harasser's ISP (Internet Service Provider) and make a complaint. If an offending website has been posted about you, contact the web hosting service. If there are posts on a forum or bulletin board, contact the moderators. All phone interactions should be reported to the phone company.
If the harassment is coming from other students at the school, contact your school's administration to see what action they would be willing to take.
Keep in mind that some types of bullying (threats) may be illegal. Report it to local law enforcement along with copies of the materials that you have collected