Student reports harassment

The Student Health Center can help victims of harassment.

By Amanda Wysocki

Published April 2, 2009

The MU Police Department reported a case of persistent harassment of a student that occurred throughout March.

A student reported receiving several phone calls beginning March 8, MUPD Capt. Brian Weimer said. The calls persisted for several days until the student receiving the calls changed his or her phone number.

Weimer said the caller is not a student and is believed to have called from Texas. No information has been reported about the relationship between the student and the caller.

The caller also hacked into the victim's Facebook and e-mail accounts in order to change passwords, as well as threatening to start rumors about the student's relationship with an instructor.

Weimer said harassment cases like this one aren't uncommon.

"There is nothing unique or unusual about this case," Weimer said. "We haven't had any more contact since that report."

Health promotion professional Kim Webb said the Student Health Center could help provide individual counseling services with a psychologist.

"If the student believes they are in danger, or are being threatened, we can help them create a safety plan," Webb said.

The safety plan typically consists of figuring out safe places for the student to go, Webb said. It can also include phone numbers of people to contact and important things to remember if the student thinks he or she may be away from their normal living space, such as important documents or keys.

The health center also refers students to legal services if they need to get a restraining order, Webb said. The Office of Judicial Services can help to change a student's living arrangements or class schedule.

The Shelter, a shelter for victims of violence or assault in Columbia, can provide temporary living arrangements.

If the case involves sexual harassment or problems within a relationship, Webb said the health center generally refers the student to the Relationship and Sexual Violence Prevention Center.

"The most important thing is to ensure the victim's safety," Weimer said.