Cyberbullying victim obtains order of protection against bully
One way to deal with either a bully or cyberbully is to seek an Order of Protection from a court. Sometimes referred to as “restraining order” or ” injunction against harassment,” these are common requests to judges across the country. Once granted and the bully is served with the court order, any violation of the Order may be contempt of court and punishable.
A 16 year old boy at North Andover High School in Massachusetts was charged in March, 2011, with violating a harassment order that had been issued against him. The police served the court’s order on the boy and explained it to him. Two days later, he allegedly made comments to the student. Then he allegedly put derogatory statements about his target on Facebook, after being told to have no contact in any way with the victim. The boy’s case is being handled in juvenile court.
Bill Bradford (Flickr)
Courts don’t issue orders of protection without good reason. They are to be taken seriously and may result in jail time if violated. The order may restrict a person from all contact with another person, or set limitations on the type of contact, frequency and location. For example, if you get a protective order against someone who has stalked or assaulted you, it will cover all methods of communication including online, by cell phone and even a distance (yards or miles) he or she must stay away from you. It can also include your work place, gym, school, church, etc. When applying for an order, explain to the judge exactly what happened and why you need the order of protection.
Usually an order lasts a year or other specified period of time. If justified, they may be renewed by the court. A person who is served with an order can oppose it by asking the court for a hearing. Then the judge will decide to keep it in place, modify it or dismiss it.
I encountered this lady her name is Sandra she’s a cyberbully better on this site called chattusa scam site everybody on it is scammers who are only interested in wanting to take advantage of you ask you to buy them a gift card or a new cellphone. Sandra I added her on to Hangouts and she turned out to be a cyberbully. She wanted my cellphone number didn’t give it to her so she decided she wanted to start bullying me she’s a fake lady who created a fake Google account so she can use it to cyberbully people Google Hangouts and she decided to pick me to cyberbully.
Dear Jeremy: We’re sorry to hear of your situation. As you know there are a number of resources to help you deal with a cyberbully including a government site, cyberbully.gov and a private website http://www.cyberbullying.us. Good luck for a bully-free future.
(This is information only – not legal advice).
If an elderly colleague keeps hitting me with her umbrella for no reason. What should I do and who can I approach (in Singapore).
Dear Jenn: We suggest that you speak calmly with this person about her actions. Ask her for a reason she touches you with her umbrella. After requesting that she stop, if she continues this behavior, you could contact your supervisor, or hers, for assistance. Good luck.
(This is information only – not legal advice).
My grown son was granted an order against his ex for this, yesterday. And now the ex is posting on social media about it and because he is a different race referring to the jusdges decision as white supremacy. Would this be considered contempt of court?
Dear Vickie: Probably not. Contempt requires ignoring or violating a direct court order, or an act committed in the judge’s presence.
(This is information only – not legal advice).
I have a question. So my step grandmother doesn’t like my grandfathers side of the family for no reason. She use to abuse my mom when she was younger and steal her stuff. I’m 18 and I lived with them for a couple of months. It was all good until my cousin told me that she has been saying stuff about me and lying about me. I just ignored it. Well I moved out and a few days ago she sent me a nasty text saying that I stole her Xbox controllers (which I didn’t) and she was going to sue me if I didn’t bring them back a certain day. Immediately after sending me that nasty message she posted it on Facebook and tagged me in it. She was Harassing me on Facebook. She would not stop posting stuff about me. She is psycho and I’m terrified of what she will do. She will go out of her way to ruin my life. I’m scared that she will get me fired at work by coming in and causing a scene. I’m also scared that she might attack me. what should I do?
Dear Anonymous: We’re sorry to hear about your circumstances with your step-grandmother. If you feel that she may harm you or that she is harassing, stalking or threatening you, you could consider looking into an order of protection. Try Googling the name of your county and “order of protection” for more information about how to do this. Also, you could go into your local court and speak with a clerk about the process. You may be able to request the order by completing a form and submitting or filing it online. As for Facebook, you could report her and block her. Finally, we strongly encourage you to speak with an adult you trust about your step-grandmother and what she is doing. Another relative or trusted adult may be able to help you. Good luck.
(Check our Teen Help Network for more help and resources in your area. This is information only – not legal advice.)
This is not a comment i have a huge problem. I have a 3year restraining order against one particular person ..this person does nothing but harass me through computer ,social media… such as Facebook ..Instagram Snapchat.. The restraining order doesn’t seem to stop this particular person they have made up accounts in my names .made-up accounts in fake names it does not stop ..local police do nothing!
Dear Tracey: You could contact the platforms this person is using to get to you and report the cyberbullying. It’s their call on how to handle it, but they may close his account, especially if others are also reporting him/her. You also have the option to close your accounts and reopen under a different name unknown to this bully. Good luck.
(This is information only – not legal advice).
I have a gentleman in MA who is constantly texting, calling and speaking poorly about me in public live streaming apps. I want him to leave me alone and I am fearful. I live a couple states away. What can I do to protect him from contacting me any further. We also have never physically met, and wish not to ever have to in the event that we would need to go to court for this. Please advise. I have known this person since October.
Based on what you’ve stated, you might consider obtaining a protective order against this person from a local court. Since he is out of state, you’ll have to have him served with the order once you receive it. We suggest you speak with a lawyer about this for advice. Some offer free initial consultations, so ask about this if you call one. See our Teen Help Network for lawyers where you live: http://www.askthejudge.info/directory.
Good luck. (This is information only – not legal advice).
I was in an on and off relationship for 2 and a half years with a mentally and emotionally abusive male. After highschool ended, June of 2016, he and I parted our ways for the most part. However, during those two and a half years he would do things that would make me leave him and I had made a collage of pictures that include screen shots of him saying rude things about me on social media, ruining my image. One time, he said extremely explicit sexual things about another girl while he was around me at track practice while we were not on good terms, solely for me to hear and get hurt over because he knew I was right there. Since college has started in August of 2016, I have a new boyfriend who means the world to me. However, my ex boyfriend continues to bash me online to the point where people screenshot and send me what he says because they know he’s talking about me even if my name isn’t said. What do I do? Clearly blocking him does not help when everyone knows that what he says is about me even if it’s not true.
Dear Sierra: If this continues, you could consider obtaining a protective (restraining) order against your ex-boyfriend. Many courts have self-help services for the public. Protective orders are common and not difficult to get. You don’t need a lawyer, but that’s your decision to make. Ask your local court for the form – they may also have an information pamphlet to guide you through the process. Good luck.
(This is information only – not legal advice).
How does making rude comments about someone else on your Facebook (from my reading, he posted it on his own wall- not the victim’s) constitute contact? It would be logically identical to say that talking to my friends about someone with a restraining order against me constitutes a violation because I contacted the person with the restraining order, despite the fact that I didn’t, I just talked about them in conversation. So… I’m confused.
Dear Nathan: You have to look to the specific laws in your state governing protective and restraining orders as well as the exact language in the order itself. What you describe (talking to others) ordinarily wouldn’t be a violation of the order, but under certain circumstances, it could be. Good luck.
(This is information only – not legal advice).
Hello I’m 21 my problem started last year my boyfriend old coworker has been sending me pictures of my boyfriend and texthe messages and one day I was about to delete his Facebook and she logged in and caged everything then a day later she told me there is more I can do then this I changed my number it’s not on his Google yet don’t know how she got it he doesn’t have it save I’m also currently pregnant with my first baby my boyfriend and I are still together and now she wants to follow me on instagram don’t know what to do can I get a restraining order against her?
Dear Carmina: You could look into requesting a restraining order or order of protection through your local court. The judge would hear all the facts and give the other person an opportunity to be heard as well. You could try contacting your local legal aid office as they may be able to provide some assistance for free or on a sliding scale basis. Good luck. (Check our Teen Help Network for more help and resources in your area. This is information only – not legal advice.)
Hello, We are being harassed by a patient online. She came to us for eye exam and contact lenses. She paid only $10/- and was expecting to get 8 boxes of contacts. After talking to the Insurance I learnt that the Insurance can give upto 8 boxes but not 8 boxes. The patient was told the same . She started yelling and screaming and I had to call 911 for her to be removed from the office. She recorded on her phone when I told her to” Please get out of my office”. 911 also listened to what was recorded. 911 officers spoke to Insurance and then told her to get out of the office. She asked for glasses and contacts Rx. She was given glasses Rx as she had not paid any contact lens exam services. We have till date not claimed any money for Contact lens exam services and Contact lens materials. The patients starts putting reviews online on Rate MD, Health Grade, Facebook, Google. Today she even said the we are doing Insurance Fraud online!!! this is a false statement that is hurting our office reputation and Business. We have to stop her from doing this. Kindly help. I also have a letter from Insurance that she has an option to get another eye exam and contacts from an another provider. Please let us know how to get her to stop ONLINE ABUSE and harassment. In the meantime some of our patients have given positive reviews. Thanks, Neena
Dear Neena: AsktheJudge.info is an educational site for and about teens and the law. You and your employer may want to consult with a local attorney who handles civil claims if her behavior online continues. You could threaten the possibility of filing a claim for libel and/or defamation against her and maybe the threat alone will help make her stop. Good luck.
(Check our Resource Directory for more help and resources in your area. This is information only – not legal advice.)
I’m 18 years old now but I started getting cyber bullied when i was 17. It started three months after I started dating my boyfriend. Ever since she has been stalking me on different social networks. First it was on instagram leaving hateful comments and making fake profiles impersonating me. So I deleted my account. Now its all on facebook where she will not leave me alone its almost been a year now. I have all the evidence of every comment she has done. I did go to the police once before when she started harassing me but they really didn’t do anything because they said she didn’t threaten me. I was wondering if it is still possible to get a restraining order against her? If not is there anything else I can do to make this stop.
Dear Y.P.: It is always possible to obtain a restraining order from a court. You don’t need a lawyer to do this. Just go to your local court and ask about the process. You’ll have to explain to a judge or hearing officer what’s going on and if you feel threatened or intimidated. Bring your documents with you to show the judge. Good luck.
(This is information only – not legal advice).
I live in the US and dated a girl who was from Australia. She made a mess of her life and situations and pushed me away.
Her behavior has been all over the place. Sometimes she would communicated and other times disappear.
She wrote me recently and threatened me with a restraining order because I contacted her.
I have never threatened her.
She is doing this in an attempt to get even with me because she isn’t doing well in her life and I was right about everything.
I am no longer going to contact her. I don’t even visit her anymore… This has all been through email.
Should I be concerned about this threat at all? Can she do anything against me?
Thank you for your help, I’m worried and feel betrayed… I’m sure there are many people who abuse the restraining order too…
Dear Nathan: Anyone at any time can go to court and request a restraining or protective order. In most states, if it’s granted by the court, it doesn’t go into effect until it’s served on you. Then you have so many days, for example ten, to respond to it. If you oppose it you have a right to a hearing and they are scheduled quickly. There you have the chance to explain to the judge why you think it should be dismissed. It’s up to the court to either keep it in place or dismiss it. Good luck.
(This is information only – not legal advice).
If my cyberstalker is in another state, can I file and enforce a protection order from my state? ALSO will it protect from him leaving comments on youtube or other people’s blogs etc.?
If you are able to help me get someone to leave me alone and stop stalking me, please let me know. The authorities Cannot and Will not help (until I’ve already been murdered by this guy – who obsesses over me 24/7). The legal system is worthless for protecting against stalkers. I thought about posting his name and address right here – But not sure if that is legal for me to do. I don’t want to stoop to his level or get in trouble. If nobody can help, then I will probably just decide to show up at his doorstep and let him kill me and get it over with already, I’m tired of running and this is my last hope.
Dear T: If you have already talked to the police and haven’t received any help, we suggest you speak with a supervisor or someone up the chain-of-command. Every state has laws regarding stalking, harassment or threatening behavior including protective orders against someone from contacting you. These laws are meant to be enforced. You could also contact your local prosecutor and ask for assistance. Good luck.
(This is information only – not legal advice).
A mother is constantly stalking my profile, going farther then a year back on my timeline and using other peoples profiles to be able to see mine. Even after I blocked her and her family. Her daughter and I go to school. They have made climes I have cyber bullied her daughter or harassed her at school, which is a false allegation, slandered my mothers name on her profile (which ended with a death threat to my mother) and is intensity trying to get me expelled from my school. The school seems to have no control over the situation. I do not know if I have a case to get a restraining order against the mother and possibly her daughter. I feel forced out of my school and have thought many a time about transferring.
Dear Megan: We suggest you report what’s happening to the police. This lady may have broken some laws that exist in your state such as harassing, threatening or stalking. You can also, as you mentioned, go to any court and request a protective order against this person. The judge will explain the process to you and if the facts of your case support a restraining order. Good luck.
(This is information only – not legal advice).
Does it work to file an order of protection against someone who lives out of the country and is threatening to move where you are?
I’ve been receiving harassing emails and text messages from my boyfriend’s ex and her friends for 3 weeks. I’ve recently changed my number, but I know she won’t leave us alone. She lives in Canada and we live in the States. Can I even file an order of protection against her since she’s threatening to come here? She texted my address to me this morning and it’s REALLY freaking me out now.
Dear Rachel: We’re sorry to hear about your circumstances and understand your wanting an order of protection. The laws vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction, but considering the person is usually served with notice of the order and is given the opportunity to be heard in court, it might not be possible to obtain on this person out of the country. However, you should consider calling the police so that a report can be made. Depending on your state’s laws, she may be committing illegal harassment/cyber-stalking acts. If this is the case and charges are filed, she could be picked up if she attempts to cross the border or come into your state. Also, try contacting the clerk’s office at your local court to find the laws and process for filing an order of protection in your county. Finally, be sure to save any of the harassing emails/texts as they could be used as evidence. Good luck and take care.
(This is information only – not legal advice.)
There is a site called Dirty Phone Book, I am a very moral church going person and I am completely offended by the ANONYMOUS cyberbully. Not only did I report this to IC3 and to the local and now State Police I have also a copyright issue with my name and have addressed this with DMCA and Google who admitted they would take the related info off off yet it remains can I sue all entities for years of the site illegally alowing my name and image to be posted on a site made to Cyber bully maiony people around the nation. If so what kind of Lawyer do I seek
Dear Patricia: We’re sorry to hear about your situation. You will need to speak with an attorney who handles copyright infringement, online harassment, etc. Since you are considering a lawsuit, you would need to speak with an attorney who practices civil law. Also, you may want to follow up with the police to find out whether or not criminal charges will be filed. Good luck.
(This is information only – not legal advice.)
I have a guy at school who is constantly saying mean and offensive things to me over a school website. I am moving soon and he says ” the only people who are gonna miss you are catie and Shelby” and he keeps saying things like that. I want to make him leave me alone, what should I do?
Dear Amy-Jayne: First, tell your parents. Too many students think discussing these situations with their parents will make it worse. They are there to protect you. Since you’re changing schools, you can help another teen from becoming this guy’s next target. The school most likely has rules about the use of computers especially if it’s a school website. He is abusing the privilege of posting on it and he needs to be called on this behavior. Good luck.
(This is information only – not legal advice).
I am constantly getting emails from someone i’ve never actually met, she is in the USA and I am in Canada, she has admitted to others that she has access to my online accounts and is making false accusations about me behind my back, I am not sure what to do, hotmail no longer offers the option to block people and I don’t know if she hiding behind a fake profile online to view all of my acitvity, I do have have her whole legal name and the city she resides in, do you think this is enough to possibly get something to prevent her from continuing this? She is also 23 years older than me and I find this behavior very sickening.
Dear Andree: We suggest you report this to your email provider. You can also notify the police in your area as well as the police where this person lives if you know her location in the U.S. Many police departments have personnel assigned to handle internet safety and violations. You could also look into obtaining a protective order from a court – sometimes called a restraining order against her. If she violates the order, she may be held in contempt of court and punished accordingly. Good luck.
(This is information only – not legal advice).
Hi. I’m fourteen and was cyber bullied through out my eighth grade year. I was also bullied at school. It was mainly verbal, but the girl who mainly targeted me is now at my high school and i don’t feel safe around her. she is constantly trying to talk to me. I would like a restraining order but my parents won’t agree. Any suggestions?
Dear Sophia: First, don’t keep whatever is going on with this girl or other bullies a secret. If it continues, tell your parents and explain to them how it makes you feel. You can also tell a school counselor, teacher, nurse and/or resource officer if your school has one. Once the school is aware of the ongoing bullying, they have a duty to take action to see that it stops. Your parents can also speak with the bully’s parents and ask them to talk to their daughter. There’s a good chance that you are not the only student being bullied or picked on by this girl or her friends. There are some great websites that offer advice in these cases: take a look at NetSmartz Teens at: http://www.nsteens.org/ContactUs or http://www.wiredsafety.org for useful information. Good luck.
(This is information only – not legal advice).
Protective Orders are not enough. These victims deserve more than just protection, they deserve justice. My hope is that lawmakers across the US will continue to move the ball forward in this area by passing laws that crack down on the perpetrators of cyberbullying.
What level of severity is required to request a restraining order for cyber bullying?
I have a former housemate who recently moved out and is frequently sending disturbing texts in regard to suing me. This comes in addition to written threats about receiving his security deposit while he was living here. His deposit balance was returned and the locks have been changed but the continued text messages are very stressful.
I have avoided any response and waiting to resolve any disagreement via court. I don’t know if I have sufficient context though to get a restraining order around this issue.
Dear Rachel: If you feel threatened by these texts and they continue to be sent, you can ask a court to issue a protective (restraining) order against the sender. Every state has laws regarding harassment, stalking and threatening behavior. You can discuss this with a lawyer but it’s not required that you hire a lawyer to obtain a protective order. Simply go to the closest court and ask about the procedure. You’ll be asked to complete a form and you’ll most likely see a judge or hearing officer to explain the situation. He or she will decide if there are sufficient grounds to issue the order. Once served on the individual, the order goes into effect. Good luck and be safe.
(This is information only – not legal advice).