Online Harassment Response Toolkit
A comprehensive action plan for responding to online harassment. This toolkit provides immediate steps, documentation strategies, platform-specific guidance, and legal resources to help you regain control and protect yourself.
If You're in Immediate Danger
Call 911 or your local emergency number immediately.
National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233
Cyber Civil Rights Helpline: 844-878-2274
Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741
Response by Harassment Type
Doxxing
Personal information shared without consent
Immediate Actions:
- → Document all posts containing your information
- → Report to platform immediately
- → Contact local police if address is shared
- → Alert employer/school security
Long-term Steps:
- → Remove personal info from data brokers
- → Set up Google Alerts for your name
- → Consider identity monitoring service
- → Update all privacy settings
Coordinated Attacks
Multiple accounts targeting you simultaneously
Immediate Actions:
- → Lock down all social media accounts
- → Turn off notifications temporarily
- → Document everything before blocking
- → Alert trusted friends for support
Long-term Steps:
- → Report to platform as targeted harassment
- → Consider legal restraining order
- → Join support groups for victims
- → Work with specialized organizations
Revenge Porn/Intimate Images
Non-consensual sharing of intimate content
Immediate Actions:
- → Screenshot everything immediately
- → Report to platform (priority removal)
- → Contact CCRI helpline: 844-878-2274
- → File police report (illegal in 48 states)
Long-term Steps:
- → Send DMCA takedown notices
- → Contact search engines for removal
- → Pursue civil lawsuit options
- → Work with victim advocates
Impersonation
Fake accounts pretending to be you
Immediate Actions:
- → Report fake accounts immediately
- → Alert your contacts about impersonation
- → Secure your real accounts with 2FA
- → Document all fake content
Long-term Steps:
- → Verify your accounts if possible
- → Monitor for new fake accounts
- → Consider trademark/copyright claims
- → Create official website/presence
Documentation Best Practices
What to Capture:
- Full screenshots showing URL, date, time
- Archive links using Wayback Machine
- PDF prints of entire threads
- Video recordings for disappearing content
- Metadata from images/files
- Witness statements from others who saw it
How to Organize:
- Create dated folders for each incident
- Use consistent naming: DATE_PLATFORM_TYPE
- Keep master spreadsheet with summaries
- Back up to cloud AND external drive
- Share copies with trusted person
- Print physical copies for legal use
Recommended Tools:
Page Vault
Legal-grade webpage archiving
pagevault.com
Archive.today
Permanent webpage snapshots
archive.today
ScreenRec
Free screen recording
screenrec.com
HeartMob
Documentation support community
iheartmob.org
Platform Reporting Guides
Twitter/X
Report Path:
Three dots menu → Report Tweet → It's abusive or harmful
Safety Features:
- • Quality Filter in settings
- • Safety Mode (auto-blocks)
- • Limit who can reply
- • Hide sensitive content
Response Time: 24-48 hours typically
Report Path:
Three dots → Report → It's inappropriate → Harassment or bullying
Safety Features:
- • Restrict accounts (shadow ban)
- • Hidden Words filter
- • Limits (auto-hide from non-followers)
- • Comment controls
Response Time: 24 hours for severe cases
Report Path:
Three dots → Find support or report → Harassment → Review options
Safety Features:
- • Privacy Checkup tool
- • Profile/Timeline review
- • Blocking lists
- • Trusted contacts
Response Time: 48-72 hours typically
Report Path:
Three dots → Report this post → Harassment or hateful speech
Safety Features:
- • Profile viewing options
- • Connection request filters
- • InMail controls
- • Professional community guidelines
Response Time: 1-3 business days
TikTok
Report Path:
Share arrow → Report → Harassment and bullying
Safety Features:
- • Filter keywords
- • Restrict accounts
- • Comment filters
- • Family Pairing (for minors)
Response Time: 24-48 hours
Legal Action Options
Criminal Legal Options
When to pursue:
Threats of violence, stalking, revenge porn, hate crimes
Steps:
- 1. File police report (bring documentation)
- 2. Request restraining/protection order
- 3. Work with prosecutor if charges filed
- 4. Victim advocacy services
Resources:
- • Local police non-emergency line
- • District Attorney victim services
- • RAINN.org for sexual violence
- • National Domestic Violence Hotline
Civil Legal Options
When to pursue:
Defamation, intentional infliction of emotional distress, invasion of privacy
Steps:
- 1. Consult with attorney (many offer free consultations)
- 2. Send cease and desist letter
- 3. File civil lawsuit for damages
- 4. Pursue injunctions
Resources:
- • C.A. Goldberg Law (specializes in online abuse)
- • CCRI attorneys network
- • State bar association referrals
- • Legal aid organizations
Self-Care & Recovery
Immediate Self-Care:
- • Step away from devices when overwhelmed
- • Call a trusted friend or family member
- • Practice breathing exercises (4-7-8 technique)
- • Go for a walk or physical movement
- • Write in a journal (not online)
- • Listen to calming music/podcasts
Ongoing Support:
- • Set specific times to check messages
- • Use app timers to limit social media
- • Join survivor support groups
- • Consider therapy with trauma-informed counselor
- • Maintain offline hobbies and connections
- • Celebrate small victories in your healing
24/7 Support Resources:
Crisis Text Line
Text HOME to 741741
24/7
RAINN Hotline
1-800-656-4673
24/7
Cyber Civil Rights Helpline
844-878-2274
24/7
HeartMob Support
iheartmob.org
Community support
Remember: You Are Not Alone
Online harassment is never your fault. You deserve to feel safe online and offline. There are people and organizations ready to support you through this.
Download this complete toolkit as a PDF for offline reference
Online Harassment Response Toolkit (PDF)