Harassing Phone Call

Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 269, Section 14A, states:
" Whoever telephones another person, or causes any person to be telephoned to, repeatedly, for the sole purpose of harassing, annoying, or molesting such person or his family, whether or not conversation ensues, or whoever telephones a person of the female sex, or repeatedly telephones a person of the male sex, and uses indecent or obscene language to such person shall be punished by a fine of not more than five hundred dollars or by imprisonment for not more than three months, or both."Federal Law also prohibits the making of obscene or harassing calls in interstate or foreign communications.

If you believe that you are a victim of harassing or annoying phone calls contact Campus Safety immediately to file a report. After taking information for the report the Campus Officer will ask you to keep a "Harassing Phone Call Log". You will be asked to record the following information for any future "Harassing/Annoying" type calls that you receive:

• Date and Time.
• Type of call- Hang up, Threatening, Obscene, and Nuisance.
• Type of voice- Male, Female, Young, Old, High, Low, Accent, Intoxicated, Nervous, Other.
• Any background noise heard.
• Know to whom you are speaking:
• Ask who is calling.
• Ask what number they are trying to reach.
• Never give out your name or number to strangers! (Don't give the caller the satisfaction of carrying on a conversation, most of these callers just want an audience.)

Hang Up:

Hang up immediately if the caller doesn't respond to your questions.

Hang up at the first utterance of an obscene word.

Hang up if the caller does not make identification to your satisfaction. (Don't slam the receiver down and admit that you are annoyed, Just hang up.)

If at any time you are threatened over the phone, or receive a harassing phone call notify the Campus Safety at 735-9710.