Leave Me Alone: Harassment Investigations

Posted by Pamela S. on Monday, September 17th, 2012

Harassment can take many forms. If someone is giving you the kind of attention you don’t want, it can make you feel uncomfortable. Stalking is a dangerous form of harassment and can be life threatening. This is one of those instances where law enforc

ement can’t always help you until something actually happens. There are protective measures you can take to put an end to harassment and avoid becoming a victim.

 

Last Thursday was the 18th Anniversary of the Violence Against Women Act. In a statement marking this occasion, Attorney General Eric Holder said, “Since the landmark Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) became law 18 years ago today, VAWA has vastly improved our ability to address domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking and has helped countless victims of these crimes get access to needed services.”

It isn’t only women who are the victims of these crimes. Harassment can be a form of discrimination if someone attacks you verbally or physically because of your gender, age, race, religion, disability or physical appearance. For example, if you are overweight and someone makes negative comments about your weight, this is harassment.

Sexual harassment is embarrassing, and if it happens in your workplace it can make you feel uncomfortable and unable to perform your job properly. This kind of harassment can range from comments, to sexual assault.

Here are some tips for dealing with harassment in the workplace:

• If someone at work is harassing you for any reason, report it to your supervisor or Human Resources. It may be difficult to talk about, but you aren’t the one doing anything wrong.
• Listen to your intuition, if something doesn’t feel right, it probably isn’t.
• Don’t lead the person on in any
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  way.

• Gather whatever evidence you can. Save any emails or other messages, such as comments on social media. Record phone calls from this person. You can record a call as long as one person is aware that the call is being recorded, and you are one of the people in the conversation.

Sometimes we report these things and the powers that be want to sweep it under the carpet, or they don’t believe your allegations. If this is the case, or if your employer is the harasser, you need outside help. Contact the The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).

Harassment can also take place in schools and in many other areas of life. Bullying is a form of harassment that has become a hot topic of late, because we are starting to realize the harm it does psychologically and physically.

If someone calls, emails or texts you repeatedly when you have asked them not to contact you, this is a form of stalking. Cyberstalking, using social media and other online means to intimidate and frighten you, can be conducted anonymously. This makes it difficult to track down and charge the person with a crime.

If someone is following you, or showing up at your home, work or other places, you need to take immediate action. Some stalkers are ex-spouses or partners, and are often abusive. While you may be able to obtain a restraining order, or order of protection, a piece of paper is not protection from someone who doesn’t care if they break the law. That isn’t to say that you shouldn’t get the police involved, or apply for a restraining order. Do whatever you can to protect yourself. Contact your local law enforcement agency and get whatever assistance you can. Unfortunately in this case and many others, law enforcement’s hands are tied. They need evidence to make an arrest.

If you are being harassed and have no one to turn to, or believe you are in danger, contact a private investigator. Harassment investigations can be difficult, because people are often reluctant to speak, and witnesses don’t want to become involved. You need a professional investigation company, like Sheer Investigations. We know how to obtain evidence in sensitive matters.

Consult with a private investigator to determine whether your home is secure enough to keep people out and to keep you safe. An investigator can recommend an alarm system to protect you and your family, and a CCTV camera system to obtain evidence that you can take to the police.

 

Former FBI Assistant Director Tom Sheer has recruited the best from the FBI, DEA, IRS and Secret Service to build a formidable team at Sheer Investigations. Our private investigators have the sensitivity and experience to handle the most delicate investigations.