The contemporaneous generation is constantly the target of unprompted and harassing phone calls in which one person belittles, threatens, or otherwise violates another’s dignity. The fact that the person on the other end of the phone is absolutely unknown makes it more serious. Such calls fall under the definition of a criminal offence in India. Hence they must file a complaint against harassing phone calls as soon as possible to the appropriate authority.

According to a research by “Truecaller” in 2020, about 8 out of 10 women report receiving harassing or inappropriate phone calls at least once per week in India. Kolkata, New Delhi, Chennai and Pune are the major cities affected in India. Indian women regularly give out their phone numbers when filling out paperwork or in public places like malls and restaurants.

However, approximately 12% of women reported the calls to the police and the 2. remaining 88% simply blocked the number when it came to filing a complaint against harassing phone calls. The use of blank calls is considered harassment. Most of these calls are made in a mysterious manner with the express intention of frightening or bothering a person.

Police sources claim that incidences of phone call harassment significantly rose after Section 66A of the Information Technology Act of 2000 (which was concerned with penalties for transmitting offensive messages through communication services) was overbalanced by the Supreme Court in 2015. In one case in point, a college student received numerous vulgar text messages and calls from an unknown number. Later, the cops discovered that the number belonged to a classmate of hers. According to a poll, the caller was typically someone the victim knew.

Handling Phone Call Harassment?

To handle phone call harassment, document the calls, block the number, consider contacting your service provider for blocking or tracing options, and report the harassment to the police if it’s threatening or persistent.

Here’s a more detailed breakdown:

1. Document the Harassment:

• Keep a record: Note the date, time, and content of each harassing call.
• Specifics: Include any profanity, threats, or other concerning details. 

2. Take Immediate Action:

• Block the number: Most phones and service providers offer call-blocking features. 
• Hang up immediately: If you don’t know the caller or the call is unwanted, hang up without engaging. 
• Communicate in writing: If you need to communicate with the harasser, do so via email or letter to create a record. 

3. Involve Your Service Provider:

• Report the calls: Contact your phone service provider and report the harassing calls.
• Seek assistance: They may offer call-blocking, tracing, or other tools to help manage unwanted calls. 

4. Report to Law Enforcement:

• File a complaint:If the calls are threatening or cause you distress, report them to your local police department. 
• Provide details:Share your documentation and any other relevant information with the police. 

5. Consider Legal Options:

• Restraining order: If the harassment is severe, you may consider seeking a restraining order to prevent further contact. 
• Consult with an attorney: Seek legal advice to understand your rights and options. 

6. Additional Tips:

• Don’t disclose personal information: Be cautious about sharing personal details on the phone.
• Keep calm: Don’t engage in arguments or let the caller escalate the situation. 
• Be safe: If you feel threatened, prioritize your safety and seek help from authorities. 
• In India, Section 509 of the Indian Penal Code addresses insults to modesty over phone calls, and Section 354D addresses stalking, which includes persistent unwanted contact . 

Harassment Via Phone Calls and The Law That Governs It

Harassment via phone calls, text messages, and other forms of communication is a common form of abuse. Receiving harassing phone calls has become quite common in recent years. Most domestic and family violence survivors simply want the harassment to stop, while others may want the perpetrator charged and prosecuted.

It becomes more serious when the person on the other end is completely bizarre.

The provisions In India under which the harasser can be charged are as follows:

Section 354A of the Indian Penal Code:

Phones that make calls have their own call-blocking options. Although there are laws prohibiting harassing phone calls, these issues can be addressed in a variety of ways.

A report of 2020 from True Caller says “ It has been noticed that in India 8 out of 10 women has been received inappropriate/ harassment calls once in a week. 

Similarly, In 2019, a survey was conducted on 2150 women aged 15 to 35 from 14 different cities. Almost four out of every five women reported feeling irritated and angry as a result of the harassment calls. Following the Supreme Court’s interpretation of Section 66A of the Information Technology Act of 2000 (the penalty for sending offensive messages via communication services, etc.),

It is a very serious concern about women’s safety when a large number of women are working they are going out of their houses working in odd hours. The situation is tough, but 

There are provisions under which a harasser can be charged 

• Section 354A of the Indian Penal Code:

 Under this section, any person requesting sexual favors or making sexually colored remarks shall be guilty of the offense of sexual harassment punishable with imprisonment up to three years and/or a fine.

Section 354D of the Indian Penal Code: 

According to this section, if a person constantly contacts a woman to initiate personal interaction in spite of her disinterest then he will be punished with an imprisonment of three years and a fine.

• Section 506 of the Indian Penal Code: 

According to this section, any person committing the offense of criminal intimidation shall be punished with imprisonment of up to seven years and/or a fine.

• Section 507 of the Indian Penal Code: 

If any person tries to threaten or intimidate a woman through anonymous communications then he will be punished with an imprisonment of two years in addition to the punishment provided under Section 506 of IPC.

• Section 509 of the Indian Penal Code: 

According to this section, if a person insults your modesty over a phone call then he will be liable to be punished with imprisonment for up to one year and a fine

How Harassment Calls Affect Women:

A recent survey reported that 950 cases of virtual harassment versus 487 cases of physical harassment are reported in workplaces as well, it is surprising that the employees with whom you work can harass you that much. 

How do I block harassing calls?

To block harassing calls, you can utilize your phone’s built-in features, explore call-blocking apps, or contact your phone provider for assistance with call-blocking or call-labeling services. You can also register your number with the National Do Not Call Registry.

Here’s a more detailed breakdown:

1. Phone’s Built-in Features:

• Block Specific Numbers: Most smartphones have a setting to block calls from specific numbers.
• Block Unknown/Private Numbers: Some phones allow you to block calls from unknown or private numbers.
• Do Not Disturb: Use this feature to silence calls during specific hours or times. 

2. Call-Blocking Apps:

• Explore Apps: There are various apps available that can help block unwanted calls, including those from unknown numbers. 
• Consider Features: Some apps offer features like spam filtering and call identification. 

3. Contact Your Phone Provider:

• Inquire about Services: Check with your phone provider’s website or customer service to find out what call-blocking or call-labeling services they offer.
• Explore Options: Some services might be free, while others may charge a fee. 

4. National Do Not Call Registry:

• Register Your Number:You can register your home or mobile phone number with the National Do Not Call Registry to reduce unwanted sales calls.
• Learn More:Visit the Federal Trade Commission’s website for more information about the registry. 

5. Report Harassment:

Contact Your Carrier: You can also report the issue to your carrier. 

File a Police Report: If the calls are harassing or threatening, consider filing a police report.

FAQ’s

What to do if someone is harassing you with phone calls?

Here’s what to do if you’re a victim of harassment. Contact the police. When the calls come in, make a note of the gender of the caller, the description of the caller’s voice, the time and date of the call(s), what was said in the call(s), and an estimate of the caller’s age.

What is the penalty for harassment calls?

LEGAL PROVISIONS FOR CHARGING HARASSERS
– The penalty for violating the law may be up to three years in prison, a fine, or both. The Indian Penal Code (IPC) handles cases in which someone insults another person’s sentiments during a phone conversation in Section 509.

How to file a complaint for unwanted phone calls?

In case any subscriber receives unsolicited commercial communication after expiry of seven days from the date of his registration in NCPR/DND, he/she may make a complaint to the service provider through voice call or SMS to toll free short code 1909 or through DND App within 3 days of receipt of such UCC.

How to complain about nuisance phone calls?

If they call without your permission, you can report them to the Information Commissioner’s Office. It’s helpful if you know the number they called from and the date and time they called.