{"id":108,"date":"2025-02-28T16:26:29","date_gmt":"2025-02-28T22:26:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/nondiscrimination\/?page_id=108"},"modified":"2025-03-04T09:34:12","modified_gmt":"2025-03-04T15:34:12","slug":"resources-for-responding-to-online-harassment","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/nondiscrimination\/resources-for-responding-to-online-harassment\/","title":{"rendered":"Resources for Responding to Online Harassment"},"content":{"rendered":"<div data-modular-content-collection>\n<p>Becoming a target of online harassment can be an overwhelming experience that can lead to uncertainty and a number of feelings of being exposed or having a lack of privacy.&nbsp; The harassment can come in many forms, from misrepresentation of character and work, direct messages that \u201ctroll\u201d the recipient to provoke a reaction, to threatening comments or inferring of threatening actions.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Receiving this type of harassment can be exposing and isolating at the same time. St. Olaf is a strong advocate of academic freedom and supports the First Amendment while providing a safe learning and work environment. Below are resources and steps for individuals experiencing online harassment:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Mobilize Your Resources If You Experience Online Harassment<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Call 9-1-1 immediately if you or others close to you are in imminent physical danger.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>If you are a faculty or staff member, contact your direct supervisor (e.g., provost, dean, chair, director) as soon as possible. If you are a student, contact your student dean.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Contact Public Safety <strong>at 507-786-3666<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>In partnership with your leadership, contact the Office of Equal Opportunity at <a href=\"mailto:mcdowell@stolaf.edu\">mcdowell@stolaf.edu<\/a> and the Director of Public Relations at <a href=\"mailto:stolafmedia@stolaf.edu\">stolafmedia@stolaf.edu<\/a>.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>They can provide counsel and help coordinate response resources such as law enforcement, Provost\u2019s Office, Information Technology, Human Resources, Student Affairs, or General Counsel.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>What To Know If You Are The Target of Online Harassment\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>This harassment can be intense but is often fleeting.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The effects of harassment often linger well beyond the immediate episode, which is why it is important to seek support from colleagues even after the harassment ends.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Your email, social media accounts, and contact information likely will be publicized.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>To remove your photo and\/or contact information from your college or unit&#8217;s webpage, contact your department&#8217;s web content administration group.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>To suppress or remove personal information from the Online Directory, visit \u201cPrivacy\u201d in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.stolaf.edu\/stofaces\/index.cfm\">stoFaces<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Responding to harassing messages tends to prolong and inflame incidents.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Responding to a harasser isn\u2019t as satisfying as it may seem in the moment. \u201cDon\u2019t feed the trolls\u201d summarizes this best practice.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Consider suspending all social media activity for a few days, even messages that have no relation to the focus of the harassment.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Preserve all evidence\u2014messages, emails, comments, postings, etc.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>If you would rather not continue to see these messages, consider allowing the Office of Information Technology or a trusted colleague to handle this task.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Media outlets may contact you; you do not need to respond.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>If you receive media requests or have questions about interacting with the media, please work with the Director of Public Relations at <a href=\"mailto:stolafmedia@stolaf.edu\">stolafmedia@stolaf.edu<\/a>, which will work with other campus resources to guide you.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>These attacks may affect your classroom environment, as well as peers or others associated with your program.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>If you believe the incident will disrupt your classroom environment, please discuss that with your department chair, associate dean, and provost.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The harassment could involve someone who attends your class.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>This person may be recording in the classroom or lab. You have the right to prohibit audio or video recording in these settings. Please reach out to the Provost, Director of Equal Opportunity, and General Counsel for support.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Key Contact Directory<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Public Safety | 507-786-3666<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Dean of Students | <a href=\"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/deanofstudents\/meet-our-team\/\">Consult local campus directory<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>General Counsel | lehmann@stolaf.edu<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Office of Human Resources | hrstaff@stolaf.edu<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Office of Information Technology | helpdesk@stolaf.edu<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Provost\u2019s Office | sortor@stolaf.edu<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Public Relations | <a href=\"mailto:stolafmedia@stolaf.edu\">stolafmedia@stolaf.edu<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Office of Equal Opportunity | mcdowell@stolaf.edu<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Checklist: Supporting Yourself and a Colleague Experiencing Online Harassment&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list list-style-none\">\n<li>\u2610 Assess immediate physical danger\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list list-style-none\">\n<li class=\"list-style-none\">\u2610 If there is an immediate physical threat, call 9-1-1.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>\u2610 If there is no immediate physical threat, yet you believe the actions of the harasser are criminal, contact Public Safety at 507-786-3666<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>\u2610 Provide \u201cResources for Responding to Online Harassment\u201d to the affected person<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>\u2610 Develop a plan to document the harassment\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list list-style-none\">\n<li>\u2610 Work with the affected person to preserve evidence of the harassment\u2014messages, emails, comments, postings, etc.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>\u2610 Be sensitive to the affected person\u2019s emotions and offer the resources outlined here and those available within your unit, college, or campus.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>\u2610 Engage with St. Olaf resources\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list list-style-none\">\n<li>\u2610 Leadership Support (e.g., dean, director, supervisor, group leader)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>\u2610 Local leadership should be informed as quickly as possible to assist with support and lead coordination.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>\u2610 Director of Equal Opportunity\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list list-style-none\">\n<li>\u2610 The Director of Equal Opportunity has experience managing these situations and serves as the facilitator for connecting the affected person with necessary resources.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>\u2610 Director of Public Relations\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list list-style-none\">\n<li>\u2610 The Director of Public Relations, in partnership with campus\/college\/unit communications teams, will help manage communications, notably media relations and internal communications.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>\u2610 Internal and external relations coordination\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list list-style-none\">\n<li>\u2610 Speed is important. To keep faculty, staff, and students informed, the affected college, department, unit, or center should contact local leadership as quickly as possible.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>\u2610 For communicating internally, it is best practice to include:\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list list-style-none\">\n<li>\u2610 A statement that reiterates the College\u2019s commitment to academic freedom and the rights of faculty, staff, and students.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>\u2610 Information about how the affected person and others are being supported.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>\u2610 Available resources for anyone with further questions or concerns.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>\u2610 Equip those who answer calls, respond to emails, or manage social media channels with appropriate information to address harassing messages. Media outlets may contact you; you do not need to respond.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>\u2610 Consider others who may be affected\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list list-style-none\">\n<li>\u2610 Students: Some students may not want to continue attending class. Encourage faculty and staff to listen to student questions and concerns. Consider whether a substitute instructor or a changed classroom location are appropriate (consult with your local classroom management office, as needed). Consider the possibility that students in other classes may be affected.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>\u2610 Faculty\/Staff: Welcome conversations about their concerns, related both to this situation and to the potential that they could become the target of harassment. Connect them with resources as needed.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>\u2610 Co-Authors\/Collaborators: Contact those affiliated with the work of the person targeted and offer support as appropriate.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>\u2610 Keep in mind that this message will be shared more broadly than its intended audience. Write with the assumption it will eventually reach the public\/media.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>\u2610 Marketing &amp; Communications can help create these materials.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>\u2610 Identify ways to show support\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list list-style-none\">\n<li>\u2610 Colleagues may want to offer their support to the affected person. In consultation with that individual, provide guidance about how to offer support.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>\u2610 Note: While publicly defending a colleague is a generous and supportive gesture, we recommend against it because it may further fuel the original harassment situation and\/or result in others becoming the target of harassment.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>\u2610 Even when online harassment ends, its effects can linger. It is important for leadership in units, colleges, and campuses to stay in contact with individuals who have been harassed and to continue to offer support. Things to watch out for include their losing trust in the broader community, their losing focus or motivation, or their reacting to hits to their personal and professional reputations. In extreme cases, ensure the affected person has a forum among colleagues to openly discuss these issues.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Becoming a target of online harassment can be an overwhelming experience that can lead to uncertainty and a number of feelings of being exposed or having a lack of privacy.&nbsp; [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2110,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-108","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/nondiscrimination\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/108","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/nondiscrimination\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/nondiscrimination\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/nondiscrimination\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2110"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/nondiscrimination\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=108"}],"version-history":[{"count":12,"href":"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/nondiscrimination\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/108\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":145,"href":"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/nondiscrimination\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/108\/revisions\/145"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/nondiscrimination\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=108"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}