According to the Bridging Divides Initiative, nearly 500 threat and harassment events have been reported across more than 40 states and the District of Columbia in 2024. In October, the majority of reported threats and harassments were related to national issues, such as the elections, which for the first time in several months outnumbered cases of hyperlocal threats and harassments.
Depending on their nature, threats in the verbal form are sometimes taken lightly, owing to the absence of any physical violence. Neglecting to deal with threats can lead to escalation in other ways. According to the criminal defense law firm Greco Neyland, P.C., TX, threats may be classified as harassment, assault, or stalking under the law. If you are involved in this kind of case, the court will look at whether the person threatened has reason to believe that they will suffer a bodily injury, are placed in fear of their life, or have reason to believe their property will be harmed.
Find out what the necessary steps are to secure your personal safety and well-being.
Assess the Threat
Check immediately for the seriousness and credibility of a speech threat. Before anything else, look at the dangerous situation. Was it an angry argument? Something planned? Next, check for specificity, as threats are more dangerous when they are detailed. Observe how the threat-maker behaves. Are they safe and calm or tense and out of control?
Verbal threats are scary, but can someone actually go to jail for threatening you? If a threat strikes someone as concerning for their safety, then it can carry legal consequences ranging from fines and probation to imprisonment.
Additionally, revisit and investigate the history of the threat. Have they ever been angry or violent before? Keep track of possible causes for the danger. Under such circumstances, trust your gut feeling. Ask for help if something does not feel right. Your safety is the priority when you’re directly threatened.
Document the Incident
To address verbal threats, you must react fast and still be accurate. Documentation for verbal threats must always include the relevant dates, times, and locations. Cite the precise words of the person threatening you, as well as any gestures or actions performed by that individual that may add context to this incident.
Document their names, characteristic features, and any details regarding their job position or relationship with you. Record the witnesses’ names and contact details. Keep this documentation in a secure journal or digital file with restricted access. If you decide to take legal action, a detailed event report can become beneficial. Your paperwork will provide the basis for better addressing the verbal threat if it is officially supported by facts.
Seek Support and Assistance
Help should be sought for documented verbal threats. Emotional backing while undergoing such trying times can be obtained from friends, families, and even co-workers. They will listen to your worries to free up some of the burden you feel in your life.
Reach out for help via a counselor or a therapist or call up a support helpline. They will tell you how to handle verbal threats since they’ve been trained to help people. Resources with links to further assistance might be useful.
Report to Authorities
You might want to notify the right authorities immediately about the verbal threats you have received. Whoever receives a threat should never dismiss it as meaningless words. Placing that threat before the authorities will allow you to be protected and stop the matter from further escalating.
The police will know how to treat threats and give you advice to maintain your safety. They can also chase the perpetrators as they try to investigate the threats and may prosecute if required. Involving the police in any threat incident means you actively take part in resolving the situation.
The proof compiled by you regarding the threat would help expedite the course of the investigation for the officials and for the issue to be resolved quickly.
Take Steps to Ensure Safety
You must create a secure environment and keep yourself safe. This action must be your priority once you have received an actual threat. Scan your environment for any danger. Put locks on your doors, have bright lighting outdoors, and have cameras installed. When you have a feeling of uneasiness, you can think of leaving or adding more security features in your place.
Inform those you trust about the potential threats. Informing one or more family members or close friends or colleagues will be able to make them look out for you and keep you protected. Apart from these, you may tell police about the threat and seek advice on safety measures.
Take actions against any threat seriously. Document all relevant information or seek assistance and report to the police while implementing all possible safety measures. Put your safety first by seeking assistance from relevant authorities.
