What can you do when there's someone you thought was an OK person, who suddenly turns out not to be, but won't leave you alone?

Even to the extent of changing their name and PM'ing repeatedly in iSketch when I'm trying to play.

This is someone who I thought I was lending a shoulder to cry on, and gave them my number to talk to me when they were having a bad time. However when I offered advice I was bascially told "Thanks for nothing" then sent repeated abusive texts.

I have tried to be civil and responded to their posts for the sake of common politeness on the board. I have had to block their number from my phone in case I end up getting more abuse if they decide to turn nasty. However I am not in the mood for further discussion via PM's on here, so I guess that means putting them back on the Ignore List. This person recently PM'd me apologising for the way they have behaved - I assume they expected me to say "Oh thats ok, no problem, how YOU doing?" Wrong. And so comes the nasty side of them again.

Help?

Geoff

NOTE: they are not in any of the rooms where I have taken screenshots. The method is to sit somewhere else and PM me, so I don't know they're online. So please don't think its any of the players shown in the screen grabs below.

http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i78/deadlyrs125/screengrab2.jpg

EDIT - OK it would appear that doing this has no effect on the person concerned.

http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i78/deadlyrs125/screen3.jpg

So apart from changing my name every single goddam time I want to play - I guess this is the end of it.

:(, dunno what to say but...
/me hugs deadlock

In all honesty it depends on the extent of the possible harassment. If it is limited to just iSketch and iSketchForum then it may possible for the admins on iSketch and the moderators here to help.

If it however goes beyond just these 2 sites then my advice to you would be to get in touch with your local police and take it further.

Wowzer, thanks for all the PMs - my inbox has never been so full :)

It is restricted to just these two sites, and I'm hoping there won't be any more **** caused. My phone network advised that if they get a different phone and send texts from that number, keep them all and advise the police of harassment.

Ironic that most of the messages seem to be along the "oh how very mature" "how very grown up" theme, yet this person is acting more childish than anyone I've ever met.

Incidentally - no, its not birdsong :D

I'm sorry to hear about all this nasty business you are going through I know it can really get to you.

Over the years I've seen quite a few of this type of incident and also had things go sour myself with ranting emails full of absolute nonsense flying around. I know it's boring a predictable advice but it really does work if you just ignore them completely. It turns out that mine has done this to many people so inevitably they will run out of targets at some point. I hope things get better for you (*(*(*(*hugs*)*)*)*)

Deadlock, you are doing the right thing. Ignore and ignore again. I'd like to remind people that there ARE two sides to every story, but that this thread is primarily asking for help in how to deal with a situation. I think there are a lot of people who can give some great advice, although I'd say ignore was the best option by far.

As far as I can see, there is no way of knowing who this other person is and I would ask that it stay that way.

This forum is NOT to be used for personal battles, but it is used for help and advice, and sometimes those two things overlap. I'd urge everyone to ignore the personal aspect of this and concentrate on helping out.

The mod team will be watching however.

BB is right. Ignore them entirely. Use the ignore function on iSketch, and use it here too. Don't feel bad about it, it's this person that's pushed you to it, and you deserve some peace and quiet. Everyone has the right not to see someone they no longer wish to see/speak to/email. It's a basic human right, one that is all too often ignored or reacted to in a hostile fashion.

It could be the person in question is going through a rough time and you were just in the wrong place at the wrong time and became the focus of their attention. This doesn't justify it though. Make it very clear you want them to leave you alone, don't be rude, just request no further contact with them and then /ignore. Some people act like this for kicks though, but having seen those shots above, I'd not have said so, but it's not fair of them to unload whatever is wrong on you.

Ask the people you're close to to assist-if you have the same friends and they all go by their usual isketch names, then whoever this is will soon track you down using them and your IP. If you want a hassle-free game... just all go fancy dress. :smile:

User created rooms which are locked are a help too... that way you can play with buddies but not be hassled by people who aren't invited, with the assistance of the /ignore tool, of course. One of Rob's better ideas that one.

Speaking of Rob, if the content becomes abusive or threatening (not likely, but you never know) contact feedback for assistance. Get an IP in screen shots, preferably with the date and time. It's not up to Rob to do anything about it because he's not responsible for the actions of those on his site, but he might look it over and help.

Also, if you're receiving unwanted contact on this forum, the moderators are there to help.

There's also this

http://www.cps.gov.uk/legal/section12/chapter_k.html#18

this details telecommunication offences prosecutable by law.

I think people would be surprised how many of these laws are broken online, daily. The law is there to protect you; use it if you have to.

Sometimes it's much easier to just ignore and eventually you'll find it doesn't really bother you anymore. Put up a brick wall and go on enjoying your life... all they'll end up with is sore heads from trying to knock it down, even the most die-hard pursuer will grow tired of this eventually.

Yes racism and insult is so common on the main rooms. Like English Easy rooms. It's quite annoying.. Also I've been booted from rooms for cheating? Because people don't like me winning? A lot of abusing going on. I think I-sketch would benefit from compulsory registrations. Would allow for account banning.

Mr/Ms Unpronouncable name, can you please elaborate on your stunningly objective post? I am a bit slow sometimes and the link you suggested did not help much :p

I could do with some coffee as my brain is dead! :biggrin:

Just realised the previous post has been removed . . . D'oh!!

Mr/Ms Unpronouncable name, can you please elaborate on your stunningly objective post? I am a bit slow sometimes and the link you suggested did not help much :p

I could do with some coffee as my brain is dead! :biggrin:

Just realised the previous post has been removed . . . D'oh!!
The link is to the CPS (Crown Prosecution Service). Lists all the offendable offences that one can be prosecuted for.

I'm sorry to hear about all this nasty business you are going through I know it can really get to you.

Over the years I've seen quite a few of this type of incident and also had things go sour myself with ranting emails full of absolute nonsense flying around. I know it's boring a predictable advice but it really does work if you just ignore them completely. It turns out that mine has done this to many people so inevitably they will run out of targets at some point. I hope things get better for you (*(*(*(*hugs*)*)*)*)

Thanks for all the advice but it seems my time here is done.

It's a bit difficult to continue any kind of thread when the person you are ignoring is constantly on hand to post. Threads can't be participated in by me any more as its always " ****** is on your ignore list " ... so no replies there.

I'll continue to answer PMs for the next couple of weeks but generally my posts have become less and less since this incident. Time to move on.

Wishing you all well :biggrin:

Geoff

Sorry to hear this is still bugging you, Deadlock.

It would be awful if you had to leave because of that, you're pretty much a fixture around here and I know you'd be missed.

The recent update (Thanks again, Pete!) allows for you to use your profile as a kind of social networking tool... you can also make groups which are invite only and therefore only viewable to the contacts or friends on your list. This allows for a bit of privacy. There's no reason why you can't play the same games among people you feel safe with in these UC sections now available. The groups look like mini-threads, so maybe this is a little hideaway you'd enjoy. :biggrin:

This would be useful to anyone, who for whatever reason, would like some privacy to chat to people they trust.

it seems my time here is done.

Please look into the new feature Buffers mentioned.
Don't go
:cry:

Haven't had a chance (at work) but will have a sneaky peek later. Hope its not too cliquey.

Recycled at the request of Deadlock.