Winthrop University Police Department

Harassment

In an effort to continually promote a safe campus environment, the Winthrop University Police Department is providing this information concerning harassment. Our motto is "Don't be a victim!...Be Proactive...Not Reactive!" The Winthrop University Police Department will thoroughly investigate all reported incidents of harassment (including phone and e-mail harassment), as well as related offenses such as stalking. Violators will be subject to criminal prosecution. Please refer to Personal Safety Tips for additional information.

What is Harassment?

(SC Code of Laws Section 16-3-1700)

  • "Harassment" means a pattern of intentional, substantial, and unreasonable intrusion into the private life of a targeted person that causes the person and would cause a reasonable person in his position to suffer mental distress. Harassment may include, but is not limited to:

    • Following the targeted person as he moves from location to location

    • Visual, physical, or verbal contact that is initiated, maintained, or repeated after a person has been provided notice that the contact is unwanted

    • Surveillance of or the maintenance of a presence near the targeted person's:

      • School

      • Residence

      • Place of work

      • Places regularly occupied by the targeted person

  • Vandalism and property damage

Harassment does not include words or conduct that is protected by the Constitution of this State or the United States, and does not apply to law enforcement officers or process servers performing their official duties. For fines and penalties, please refer to SC Code of Laws 16-3-1710.