17 June 2009
What happened?
A secondary school student got hold of a female teacher's mobile number and passed it on to some former students. The teacher received more than 60 malicious phone calls over a period of three weeks with the callers threatening to harm her and another family member, which she reported to the police. As a result, she experienced feelings of severe anxiety and stress and began looking for alternative employment.
What should I do if this happens to me?
- Take a note of the caller's number if you can and, if the harassment has involved texts or voice messages as well as calls, save them on your mobile.
- Report the incident to a senior manager (eg head teacher) and the e-safety co-ordinator at your school - they should conduct a prompt investigation and report the calls to the police immediately. It is recommended that you make the report in writing and copy in your trade union representative.
- If the investigation finds that a student (or a group of students) is involved in the incident, they should be disciplined in line with the school's disciplinary procedures in areas such as anti-bullying and acceptable use of ICT equipment.
- School guidelines should be followed in terms of informing the student's parents.
- If the school's investigation fails to determine who is harassing you via your mobile, your senior manager (or you) should contact your mobile provider and ask them to investigate and take the appropriate action.
Even if the person harassing you has kept their number private, your mobile provider should be able to determine which mobile network they are on so that they can be traced. They will also assist the police in taking action.
You can find contact details for some of the UK's leading mobile providers here.
- If the harassment is considered to be threatening and/or intimidating, your senior manager should - with your consent - report the matter to the police.
- Your senior management team should offer you adequate emotional and practical support during the process. If they don't, contact your teaching union for assistance. You can find contact details for the UK teaching unions here.