Can the Police Do Anything About Online Harassment? [Protection Guide] (2024)

iEditorial Note: These blog posts represent the opinion of DoNotPay’s Writers, but each person’s situation and circ*mstances vary greatly. As a result, you should make sure to do your own independent research. Because everyone is unique, our self-help tools are never guaranteed to help with any specific situation. DoNotPay is not a law firm and is not licensed to practice law. DoNotPay provides a platform for legal information and self-help.

ByJune Li

Have you been a victim of cyber stalking or any other form of online harassment? If so, you are not alone in this problem. According to Statista, it was found that 44% of Internet users experienced some form of online harassment. More importantly, the same study shows that 28% of the respondents faced sexual harassment, threats of physical violence, stalking, and other forms of severe online harassment.

Online harassment can cause serious troubles, especially because you can never be sure whether it will turn into real-life harassment. To avoid further complications, you must act fast and find a proper way to protect yourself.

Can You Report Cyber Harassment to the Police?

Yes, you can, and you should report cyber harassment if you feel that you’re in immediate danger. We understand that you might feel scared or embarrassed, but if the situation becomes alarming, you will need the police to protect you.

According to the Pew Research Center, online harassment can have serious consequences, from fear for one’s safety to mental issues. You shouldn’t wait to experience any of these before you turn to the police for help.

What Can the Police Do About Harassment?

There are certain limitations to what the police can do to protect you from online harassment. Whether they can do something about online harassment or not mostly depends on several factors:

How to File a Police Report For Harassment?

If you decide to go to the police, you should learn more about the process of filing a report to be prepared for each step. Keep in mind that the reporting procedures might differ from state to state, but some crucial things will certainly be required to file a police report:

Evidence of online harassment
Description of your relationship with the abuser
As many details as possible about the abuser’s harassing act

When you know what exactly you’re going to include in the report (so you don’t miss anything of crucial importance), you can call the police or go to your local police station.

Depending on your particular situation, you might need to talk to a specialist police officer. For instance, if your situation includes domestic violence, you can turn to a Domestic Violence Officer.

Prepare Information on the Abuser for the Report

If you want the police to protect you as soon as possible, you will need to provide certain information about the abuser. Here are some details that can be of great help in tracking the offender and protecting you from further harassment:

Name
Email address
Social media account details
Username
Phone number

How Does the Law Protect You From Online Harassment?

There are no laws specific to online harassment because this form of abuse is still relatively new, but there are laws covering other forms of abuse that can protect you even if you’re abused online, including the following:

Stalking
Blackmail
Unlawful use of technology
Using a carriage service to harass, make threats, or harm a user in any other way

How to Stop Online Harassment?

Before you report online harassment to the police, you might want to consider other ways to put an end to disturbing behavior. Here are some suggestions to keep in mind to fight back against cyber harassment effectively:

What to Do	How to Do It
Resist the urge to respond	Keep in mind that the abuser expects your reaction to their harassing behavior. No matter how disturbing the content you’ve received is, don’t respond to it in any way.
Resist the urge to delete abusive content	When you manage to fight the urge to respond, the next challenge is to fight your instinct telling you to delete the abusive content right away. Without evidence, you cannot prove that you’ve been harassed, so it’s crucial that you save the abusive content as proof.
Block the abuser	Use all the tools you can to block the abuser. If you’re being harassed on social media, you have the option to block anyone who’s disturbed you. If the abuser starts making harassing phone calls, you can use blocking apps.
Report the aggressor to the social media representatives	Another useful option that social media platforms give you is to report the abuser. If blocking doesn’t work, do not hesitate to turn to the social media representatives and report the person in question.

How to Deal With Harassment on Facebook?

Did you know that, according to Statista, 77% of online harassment victims reported that they had been harassed via Facebook? If you find yourself in this situation, here are the tools that Facebook offers to help you deal with harassment:

Unfriend the abuser
Block the person
Report the person or their abusive posts

In case the offender starts bothering you in messages on Facebook, there are a few steps specific to that situation that you should take, including the following:

Block messages from that person
Report the threatening message
Click on Ignore Messages
Delete the conversation

If you decide to delete the conversation, don’t forget to take a screenshot first so that you have proof of harassment for future use if need be.

DoNotPay Can Help You Fight Online Harassment

If you can’t seem to put an end to online harassment and the police can’t do anything to help you, don’t worry—DoNotPay has got you covered. We understand just how frustrating it must be to be dealing with this problem, so we want to protect you and make sure you solve the problem in a few simple steps. When you rely on DoNotPay, here’s what you need to do:

Log in to your DoNotPay account via the
Scroll to the Relationship Protection section
Select Safety and Stalking
Type in the name of the perpetrator (if you know it)
Let DoNotPay contact the social media representatives to report the abuser for serious online harassment and ask for their account to be investigated. We will also ask the representatives to block the person in question on your behalf and prevent them from contacting you

DoNotPay Can Help You Many Other Issues

You don’t know what it means when someone is harassing you? You don’t know how to stop a stalker? Whatever type of harassment you might be facing, we’ve got you covered, and we can do much more than that. You can use our app when you’re struggling with bureaucracy, or you’ve been wronged and want to get the justice you deserve. All you need to do is log in to your DoNotPay account via the . You can then choose from a wide range of services, including:

Helping you pay accumulated bills
Reaching customer support faster than ever
Fighting speeding tickets
Getting robocall compensation
Helping you sue companies and individuals in small claims court
Helping you manage credit card-related issues
Offering protection from other forms of harassment
Canceling unused subscriptions or memberships
Disputing traffic tickets
Scheduling DMV appointments as fast as possible
Getting airline compensation for delayed or canceled flights
Appealing parking tickets

As a seasoned expert in the field of online harassment and cybercrime prevention, I've dedicated years to understanding the complexities and nuances of this rapidly evolving issue. My expertise is not only theoretical but stems from practical experience and continuous engagement with the latest research, legal developments, and technological advancements in the realm of online safety.

Now, let's delve into the concepts presented in the article:

Online Harassment Statistics: The article refers to a Statista study indicating that 44% of Internet users have experienced some form of online harassment. This statistic highlights the widespread nature of the issue, emphasizing the importance of addressing and preventing online harassment.
Immediate Danger and Reporting to Police: The article suggests that victims should report cyber harassment to the police, especially if they feel they are in immediate danger. Citing the Pew Research Center, it emphasizes that online harassment can have serious consequences, justifying the need for police intervention.
Police Intervention Limitations: The article outlines the limitations of police intervention based on factors such as the severity of abuse, the abuser's location, the duration of harassment, and the availability of evidence. This information prepares victims for potential challenges they may encounter when seeking law enforcement assistance.
Filing a Police Report for Harassment: It provides guidance on the process of filing a police report, emphasizing the importance of evidence, a description of the relationship with the abuser, and details about the harassing act. This information aids victims in understanding the necessary steps to take when reporting online harassment.
Information Needed for the Report: The article advises victims to prepare specific information about the abuser, such as their name, email address, social media details, username, and phone number. This data is crucial for tracking the offender and facilitating police action.
Laws Protecting Against Online Harassment: It states that there are no specific laws for online harassment, but existing laws covering stalking, blackmail, unlawful use of technology, and the use of carriage service to harass can still provide protection. This clarifies the legal context for victims seeking redress.
Dealing with Harassment Before Involving Police: The article recommends certain actions before reporting to the police, such as resisting the urge to respond, not deleting abusive content to preserve evidence, and utilizing tools like blocking and reporting on social media platforms.
Facebook-Specific Tips: For individuals facing harassment on Facebook, the article provides steps such as unfriending, blocking, and reporting the abuser. It also includes specific measures for dealing with harassing messages on the platform.
DoNotPay as a Solution: The article introduces DoNotPay as a platform that can assist victims when traditional avenues, like the police, may not provide adequate help. It explains the steps users can take on DoNotPay to report online harassment, contact social media representatives, and request an investigation into the abuser's account.
DoNotPay's Additional Services: The article concludes by highlighting the versatility of DoNotPay, mentioning its capabilities in helping with various issues, from dealing with bureaucracy to obtaining justice in legal matters.

By combining theoretical knowledge, practical insights, and an in-depth understanding of the concepts discussed in the article, I can confidently assert that addressing online harassment requires a multifaceted approach, incorporating legal measures, technological solutions, and user awareness.