Responding to Online Harassment

Many kinds of behaviors fall under the umbrella of online harassment, including include hate speech, trolling, hacking, message bombing, sexual harassment, doxxing, and cyberstalking. Experiencing online harassment can be frightening, isolating, and overwhelming. 

Augsburg strives to provide a community that protects each student’s freedom to learn while honoring the fundamental rights of all. In keeping with Augsburg’s mission and values, the university aims to create and maintain a respectful environment for members of the Augsburg community, including students, staff, faculty, and visitors. 

What to Know About Online Harassment

Online harassment can be intense but is often fleeting, particular via social media. However, the effects of harassment can persist well beyond the immediate episode, so it’s important to seek support both during and after the experience. 

If you experience online harassment, your email, social media accounts, and contact information may be publicized. You can work with Augsburg’s IT and Marketing and Communication departments to minimize information about you that is shared publicly. 

Responding to harassing messages tends to prolong and inflame incidents and may attract more attention than the original activity. Responding to a harasser isn’t as satisfying as it may seem in the moment. “Don’t feed the trolls” summarizes this best practice. 

If you experience online harassment, you don’t have to manage it alone. 

Checklist: Responding to Online Harassment 

  1. Assess immediate physical danger.
    • If there is an immediate physical threat, call 9-1-1.
    • If there is no immediate physical threat, contact the Department of Public Safety for support and to monitor the situation going forward. DPS can also coordinate with law enforcement, if needed.
  2. Document the harassment.
    • Preserve all evidence, including messages, emails, comments, postings, etc. Taking screenshots can be helpful. If you would rather not continue to see these messages, consider allowing a trusted friend or colleague to handle this task.
  3. Reach out for support and to coordinate response resources. 
    • If you are a student:
    • If a student shares that they are being harassed:
    • If you are a faculty or staff member:
      • Direct supervisor, department chair, or school director
      • Human Resources (Memorial 20): 612-330-1058 or hr@augsburg.edu 
      • Division leadership
      • Employee Assistance Programs 
        • Medica (1-800-626-7944; for Medica plan members) 
        • UNUM (1-800-854-1446; for all employees)
  4. Review and update information shared online.
    • Consider making social media accounts private and suspending all social media activity for a period of time.
    • To remove your photo and/or contact information from the Augsburg directory, contact IT. 
    • To remove your name and/or contact information from an Augsburg webpage, contact Marketing and Communication (Foss 18): marcomm@augsburg.edu 
  5. Address teaching and learning considerations.
    • If you are a student and you believe the harassment will disrupt your learning in the classroom, reach out to the Dean of Students Office (Memorial 118): 612-330-1160 or deanofstudents@augsburg.edu. 
    • If you are a faculty member and you believe the harassment will disrupt your teaching environment, reach out to your department chair, school director, or the provost. Consider whether a substitute instructor or a changed classroom location are appropriate. Faculty also have the right to prohibit audio or video recording in classroom settings.
  6. Coordinate communications.
    • Do not respond to media inquiries. Forward all such inquiries to Rachel Farris, director of public relations (Foss 18A): 612-330-1476 or farrisr@augsburg.edu. 
    • As appropriate: Department leadership should equip those who answer calls, respond to emails, or manage social media channels with appropriate information to address harassing messages.
    • As appropriate: Leadership communications should reiterate Augsburg’s commitment to academic freedom and to providing a safe and respectful environment; provide information about how the affected individual and any others are being supported; and share resources for anyone with further questions and concerns. 
    • Keep in mind that internal communications may be shared more broadly than their intended audience. Write with the assumption that messages may eventually reach the public/media.

Supporting Someone Who Has Been the Target of Harassment

Peers and colleagues may want to offer their support to the affected individual. It’s important to follow that person’s lead in what would be most helpful. While publicly defending a peer or colleague is a generous and supportive gesture, it may actually further fuel the original situation and/or result in others becoming the target of harassment.5

Even when online harassment ends, its effects can linger. It is important to stay in contact with individuals who have been harassed and to continue to offer support after the harassment ends. Things to watch out for include losing trust in the broader community, losing focus or motivation, or reacting to hits to their personal and professional reputations.