{"id":4828,"date":"2024-04-18T11:52:57","date_gmt":"2024-04-18T11:52:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.affordlaw.org\/?p=4828"},"modified":"2025-05-24T13:14:35","modified_gmt":"2025-05-24T13:14:35","slug":"online-harassment-massachusetts","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/affordlaw.org\/staging\/2465\/online-harassment-massachusetts\/","title":{"rendered":"Do Police Do Anything About Online Harassment in Massachusetts?"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"4828\" class=\"elementor elementor-4828\" data-elementor-post-type=\"post\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b9f02c1 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"b9f02c1\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-42b5fe8 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"42b5fe8\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>In Massachusetts, police take online harassment seriously. Under Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 265, Section 43A, harassment is punishable by fines and imprisonment. This includes online behaviors that involve repeated communications aimed to intimidate, annoy, or alarm an individual. Victims can file for a Harassment Prevention Order, and if violated, law enforcement can take action. The local police&#8217;s capacity to address online <a href=\"https:\/\/www.affordlaw.org\/strong-harassment-case-massachusetts\/\">harassment depends on the severity of the case<\/a> and the evidence available. Victims are encouraged to document all instances of harassment to aid investigations.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-70e3341 elementor-widget elementor-widget-video\" data-id=\"70e3341\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;youtube_url&quot;:&quot;https:\\\/\\\/youtu.be\\\/DYQNqX6V5p8?rel=0&quot;,&quot;video_type&quot;:&quot;youtube&quot;,&quot;controls&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"video.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-wrapper elementor-open-inline\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-video\"><\/div>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-22efcc8 elementor-widget elementor-widget-boomdevs-toc-widget\" data-id=\"22efcc8\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;sticky&quot;:&quot;top&quot;,&quot;sticky_on&quot;:[&quot;desktop&quot;,&quot;tablet&quot;,&quot;mobile&quot;],&quot;sticky_offset&quot;:0,&quot;sticky_effects_offset&quot;:0,&quot;sticky_anchor_link_offset&quot;:0}\" data-widget_type=\"boomdevs-toc-widget.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t        \n            \n            <div class=\"fit_content\">\n                <div class=\"bd_toc_container\" data-fixedWidth=\"\">\n                    <div class=\"bd_toc_wrapper\" data-wrapperPadding=\"48px\">\n                        <div class=\"bd_toc_wrapper_item\">\n                            <div class=\"bd_toc_header active\" data-headerPadding=\"2px\">\n                                <div class=\"bd_toc_header_title\">\n                                    Table of Contents                                <\/div>\n                                <div class=\"bd_toc_switcher_hide_show_icon\">\n                                    <span class=\"bd_toc_arrow\"><\/span>                                <\/div>\n                            <\/div>\n                            <div class=\"bd_toc_content list-type-number\">\n                                <div class=\"bd_toc_content_list \">\n                                    <div class='bd_toc_content_list_item'>    <ul>\n      <li class=\"first\">\n        <a href=\"#introduction-to-online-harassment\">Introduction to Online Harassment<\/a>\n      <\/li>\n      <li>\n        <a href=\"#legal-definitions-and-scope-of-online-harassment\">Legal Definitions and Scope of Online Harassment<\/a>\n      <\/li>\n      <li>\n        <a href=\"#massachusetts-state-laws-on-harassment\">Massachusetts State Laws on Harassment<\/a>\n      <\/li>\n      <li>\n        <a href=\"#steps-to-address-online-harassment\">Steps to Address Online Harassment<\/a>\n      <\/li>\n      <li>\n        <a href=\"#support-and-resources\">Support and Resources<\/a>\n      <\/li>\n      <li>\n        <a href=\"#the-role-of-technology-in-legal-evidence\">The Role of Technology in Legal Evidence<\/a>\n      <\/li>\n      <li>\n        <a href=\"#civil-lawsuits-and-monetary-damages\">Civil Lawsuits and Monetary Damages<\/a>\n      <\/li>\n      <li>\n        <a href=\"#help-getting-a-restraining-order-in-massachusetts\">Help Getting a Restraining Order in Massachusetts<\/a>\n      <\/li>\n      <li class=\"last\">\n        <a href=\"#legal-disclaimer\">Legal Disclaimer<\/a>\n      <\/li>\n    <\/ul>\n<\/div>                                <\/div>\n                            <\/div>\n                        <\/div>\n                    <\/div>\n                    <div class=\"layout_toggle_button\">\n                        <span class=\"bd_toc_arrow\"><\/span>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n\n    \t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3d88665 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"3d88665\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 id='introduction-to-online-harassment'  id=\"boomdevs_1\" class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Introduction to <br>Online Harassment<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e59c1f8 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"e59c1f8\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Online harassment encompasses a variety of actions using the internet and electronic communications to repeatedly target a specific person, causing substantial emotional distress. This harassment can occur through:<\/p><ul><li>social media,<\/li><li>text messages,<\/li><li>electronic mail, and<\/li><li>instant messaging.<\/li><\/ul><p>Massachusetts law recognizes the severe impacts of such behaviors and provides legal avenues to protect individuals and penalize perpetrators.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6317b1a elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"6317b1a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 id='legal-definitions-and-scope-of-online-harassment'  id=\"boomdevs_2\" class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Legal Definitions and Scope of Online Harassment<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3c1a131 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"3c1a131\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 id='what-constitutes-online-harassment'  id=\"boomdevs_3\" class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">What Constitutes Online Harassment?<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2e17d41 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"2e17d41\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>In Massachusetts, online harassment is defined by a knowing pattern of conduct or series of acts over a period of time directed at a specific person that seriously alarms or annoys that person and would cause a reasonable person to suffer substantial emotional distress. The use of electronic communication devices to perpetrate these acts makes them not just personal violations but criminal offenses under state law.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-872ae3d elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"872ae3d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 id='forms-of-online-harassment'  id=\"boomdevs_4\" class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Forms of Online Harassment<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-29ab0ed elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"29ab0ed\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Harassment can take many forms, including the repeated use of electronic means to send unsolicited, threatening messages, or the creation of web pages that mock, threaten, or malign an individual&#8217;s identity. These acts can disrupt the orderly operation of a school or workplace and create a hostile environment.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5ae1225 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"5ae1225\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 id='massachusetts-state-laws-on-harassment'  id=\"boomdevs_5\" class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Massachusetts State Laws <br>on Harassment<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-97c3b6b elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"97c3b6b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 id='criminal-charges-and-legal-process'  id=\"boomdevs_6\" class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Criminal Charges and Legal Process<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a300888 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"a300888\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Under Massachusetts General Laws (Chapter 265, Section 43A), perpetrators can face <a href=\"https:\/\/www.affordlaw.org\/cori-law-massachusetts\/\">criminal harassment charges<\/a>, leading to significant penalties including fines, prison time, or both. For subsequent offenses, the penalties can increase, reflecting the severity of repeated harassment.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-08f3e9c elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"08f3e9c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 id='harassment-prevention-orders'  id=\"boomdevs_7\" class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Harassment Prevention Orders<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f346de8 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"f346de8\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Victims can seek an e-harassment prevention order from courts like the District Court or Boston Municipal Court. This order prohibits the abusive person from making any form of contact with the victim, whether directly or through electronic means.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2a89933 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"2a89933\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 id='steps-to-address-online-harassment'  id=\"boomdevs_8\" class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Steps to Address <br>Online Harassment<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1f43fb5 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"1f43fb5\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 id='reporting-to-local-law-enforcement'  id=\"boomdevs_9\" class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Reporting to Local Law Enforcement<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c46e7bb elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"c46e7bb\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>If you are experiencing online harassment, it&#8217;s crucial to report the behavior to your local police department. Provide all evidence of the harassment, such as screenshots of messages and logs of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.affordlaw.org\/harassing-phone-calls-massachusetts\/\">phone calls<\/a>, which will support your criminal complaint.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4b2748c elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"4b2748c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 id='filing-for-a-harassment-prevention-order'  id=\"boomdevs_10\" class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Filing for a Harassment Prevention Order<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a125d0a elementor-widget elementor-widget-video\" data-id=\"a125d0a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;youtube_url&quot;:&quot;https:\\\/\\\/youtu.be\\\/BjgPvAofm5g?rel=0&quot;,&quot;video_type&quot;:&quot;youtube&quot;,&quot;controls&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"video.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-wrapper elementor-open-inline\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-video\"><\/div>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7e51318 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"7e51318\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>A Harassment Prevention Order can give you some protection from the harassment you&#8217;re experiencing. It&#8217;s a court order that commands your harasser to stop this behavior. It can order them not to contact you and to stay away from you.\u00a0<\/p><p>You&#8217;ll have to file court documents explaining what is happening. On the same day you file, you&#8217;ll have an ex-parte hearing. That just means that you&#8217;re the only party testifying that day. If the judge is convinced an Order is necessary, a Temporary Harassment Prevention Order will issue.\u00a0<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-676bc60 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"676bc60\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 id='temporary-harassment-prevention-order'  id=\"boomdevs_11\" class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Temporary Harassment Prevention Order<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1a3e55d elementor-widget elementor-widget-video\" data-id=\"1a3e55d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;youtube_url&quot;:&quot;https:\\\/\\\/youtu.be\\\/tqyMJfO00DM?rel=0&quot;,&quot;video_type&quot;:&quot;youtube&quot;,&quot;controls&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"video.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-wrapper elementor-open-inline\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-video\"><\/div>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-90923e0 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"90923e0\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 id='2-party-hearing'  id=\"boomdevs_12\" class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">2-Party Hearing<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e730e8c elementor-widget elementor-widget-video\" data-id=\"e730e8c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;youtube_url&quot;:&quot;https:\\\/\\\/youtu.be\\\/635heMTFgYg?rel=0&quot;,&quot;video_type&quot;:&quot;youtube&quot;,&quot;controls&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"video.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-wrapper elementor-open-inline\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-video\"><\/div>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-efd17c3 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"efd17c3\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Your harasser may be present at your 2-party hearing. You will both have a chance to talk to the judge. Make sure you bring all the evidence you want the judge to see and hear. Bring any live witnesses as well if you want them to testify on your behalf.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-932bcc1 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"932bcc1\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 id='support-and-resources'  id=\"boomdevs_13\" class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Support and Resources<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-bde8f77 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"bde8f77\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 id='additional-help-beyond-the-law'  id=\"boomdevs_14\" class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Additional Help Beyond the Law<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0486a10 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"0486a10\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Beyond legal actions, several organizations offer support and resources to victims of online harassment. These include counseling services and groups that help reinforce victims&#8217; mental well-being and offer advice on digital security measures.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-694c3cf elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"694c3cf\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 id='importance-of-community-and-educational-support'  id=\"boomdevs_15\" class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Importance of Community and Educational Support<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b97a8f9 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"b97a8f9\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Schools and workplaces should have clear procedures for the intervention and notification of bullying. Educational programs that highlight the legal and emotional consequences of online harassment are also vital in prevention efforts.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2218f08 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"2218f08\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 id='the-role-of-technology-in-legal-evidence'  id=\"boomdevs_16\" class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">The Role of Technology in <br>Legal Evidence<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-47a21a8 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"47a21a8\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Understanding the use of technology in both perpetrating and proving online harassment is key. Electronic evidence can be crucial in legal proceedings, and understanding how to properly preserve this information can make a significant difference in the outcome of a case.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0fb3412 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"0fb3412\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 id='civil-lawsuits-and-monetary-damages'  id=\"boomdevs_17\" class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Civil Lawsuits and <br>Monetary Damages<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-50e826e elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"50e826e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>In some cases, victims of online harassment may pursue civil lawsuits against the perpetrator. This can result in monetary damages for emotional harm or any physical act that may have resulted from the harassment.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-941d9a8 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"941d9a8\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 id='help-getting-a-restraining-order-in-massachusetts'  id=\"boomdevs_18\" class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Help Getting a Restraining Order in Massachusetts<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-dfa7c27 elementor-widget elementor-widget-video\" data-id=\"dfa7c27\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;youtube_url&quot;:&quot;https:\\\/\\\/youtu.be\\\/LJTbn6MDwtg?rel=0&quot;,&quot;video_type&quot;:&quot;youtube&quot;,&quot;controls&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"video.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-wrapper elementor-open-inline\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-video\"><\/div>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ebec290 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"ebec290\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>If you&#8217;d like help getting a Restraining Order without paying an expensive attorney, we can help. With our Legal Coaching we can walk you through every step to make sure you&#8217;re ready for your hearing. The first thing to do is see if you qualify for a <a class=\"wpil_keyword_link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.affordlaw.org\/massachusetts-restraining-orders\/\"   title=\"Massachusetts Restraining Order\" data-wpil-keyword-link=\"linked\">Massachusetts Restraining Order<\/a>. Click on the link below to see if you qualify for either type of Restraining Order.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4aedd17 elementor-align-center elementor-hidden-mobile elementor-tablet-align-center elementor-hidden-tablet elementor-widget elementor-widget-button\" data-id=\"4aedd17\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-button-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-button elementor-button-link elementor-size-xl\" href=\"https:\/\/www.affordlaw.org\/qualify-ro\/\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-content-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-text\">Do i qualify for a restraining order?<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c413e79 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"c413e79\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 id='legal-disclaimer'  id=\"boomdevs_19\" class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Legal Disclaimer<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0cfe4f3 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"0cfe4f3\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>This article is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Please consult with an attorney to discuss your specific circumstances and receive tailored guidance.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>In Massachusetts, police take online harassment seriously. Under Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 265, Section 43A, harassment is punishable by fines and imprisonment. This includes online behaviors that involve repeated communications aimed to intimidate, annoy, or alarm an individual. Victims can file for a Harassment Prevention Order, and if violated, law enforcement can take action. The [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":4829,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"nf_dc_page":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[25],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-4828","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-restraining-orders"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.4 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Do Police Do Anything About Online Harassment in Massachusetts? - Afford Law<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"This article provides a comprehensive guide to understanding and addressing online harassment under Massachusetts law. 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