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us Personal safety & immediate danger

What to do if…
repeated unwanted online contact becomes controlling or threatening

Produced and maintained by PanicStation.org Published: Last reviewed: Editorial policy USA guide

Short answer

At the earliest safe pause, move to the safest available place, tell someone you trust, and use a device the person is unlikely to monitor. Call 911 if you believe harm may happen now. If monitoring, shared access, or escalation is a concern, consider speaking with a victim advocate before broad blocking or account changes; if an account appears compromised, secure it promptly from a safer device where possible.

Do not do these things

  • Do not meet the person or confront them in person to settle the situation.
  • Do not threaten them back or try to frighten them into stopping.
  • Do not post your location, movements, or safety plans publicly.
  • Do not make broad account or device changes from a device you think may be monitored.
  • Do not assume that immediately blocking the person or closing accounts is always the safest option, because sudden loss of access may sometimes lead to escalation.

What to do now

  1. Move to a safer place, ideally with another person or staff nearby. Ask someone you trust to stay with you or remain on the phone.
  2. Call 911 if you believe harm may happen now, the person is nearby or approaching, or a threat refers to your current location and an immediate time.
  3. Tell one trusted person what is happening. Share the person’s name or account details and ask them not to disclose your location or contact information.
  4. Use a device the person is unlikely to access to contact VictimConnect for support and a referral to local victim services.
  5. If the contact involves a current or former partner, contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline and ask for a technology-aware safety plan before changing passwords, blocking accounts, or disabling shared access.
  6. If it feels safe and you may want a record later, keep one copy of threatening messages, usernames, dates, and links somewhere the person cannot access.
  7. If threats mention your workplace, school, home, or another regular location, alert an appropriate staff or security contact and ask them not to share information about you.
  8. Call or text 988 if emotional distress is making it difficult to stay safe or think clearly. Use 911 for immediate physical danger.

What can wait

You do not need to decide now whether to make a non-emergency law enforcement report, permanently delete accounts, change your phone number, move, seek a protection order, or tell everyone you know. Focus first on immediate safety, one trusted contact, and a specialist safety plan.

Important reassurance

Repeated unwanted contact that becomes controlling or threatening deserves to be taken seriously, even when it happens only online or other people minimize it. You are not responsible for managing the other person’s behavior, and seeking support does not commit you to a police report or any particular next step.

Scope note

This guide covers immediate first steps only. Later decisions about account security, platform reports, workplace or school measures, law enforcement reports, protection orders, or legal action may require help from a victim advocate or another qualified professional.

Important note

This is general personal-safety information, not legal, cybersecurity, mental health, or other professional advice. Laws, platform processes, and available protections vary by state and situation.

Additional Resources

Closely connected guides that may be useful during the same situation or its immediate aftermath.

About this guide

This guide was produced and is maintained by PanicStation.org using its published editorial process. Official and specialist sources are checked where relevant, and AI-assisted tools may be used for drafting, organisation, and consistency checks. The site operator remains responsible for publication, revision, and removal decisions.

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