posted
So here's the thing. My little brother, a sophmore in high school, just imed me a conversation he'd had with someone on AIM who was apparently stalking his friend. He told the stalker off and defended his friend. The stalker got kinda... well, angry towards the end. Neither he nor his friend knows who this stalker is. So I'm at once very proud of my little bro for standing up to this stalker, and rather worried for both my brother and his friend. I don't think it's really too much to worry about, but then again... considering the recent rash of violence in the US. Here are some key bits of the conversation, names removed to protect privacy:
***************************************************** * The excerts below are quite profane. This * stalker does not know the meaning of * "inteligence over profanity". *****************************************************
quote: *my bro*:let me guess... your bugging him *my bro*: because its "fun" *my bro*: well let me tell you *the stalker*: hell no i aint *the stalker*: i got a grude against him
quote: *the stalker*: its about som1 teaches him a lesson
quote: *the stalker*: i suggest u stop being friendswith *the friend* *my bro*: why? because he's nice? *the stalker*: no because he laughs like a girl
quote:*my bro*: you hate him because he laughs like a girl? *the stalker*: no hes annoying] *my bro*: maybe you should just leave him alone, and let me deal with his gluttonous annoying attributes *the stalker*: y dont u leave me alone and leave my buffalos alone *my bro*: not until you leave *the friend* to his own ways *the stalker*: for being a annoying faggot that laughs like a girl *my bro*: if he annoys you so much, then why do you stalk him? *my bro*: you should just ignore him *the stalker*: if i was stalking i would be raping him right now dumb shit *my bro*: well then dont follow him *the stalker*: i dont follow im going to send his ass straight to hell *my bro*: for doing what? being annoying, isn't that a bit much dont you think?
I advised my brother to mention it to the guidance counseller at his school. But since they don't know the identity of this person, it's not likely she'll be able to do much. He mentioned facts in the course of the conversation that he's only likely to know if he goes to the same school as this friend and my brother. What do you think? Is there really anything here to worry about? Is telling the guidance counsellor enough? Opinions please... (posted with the agreement of my brother)
posted
Have him talk with an assistant principal, not a councellor. Prefferably Veach. But he should tell someone. If the friend is in orchestra, honestly, telling Miss G will help. I'll IM you about a similar older situation in a minute.
Posts: 5362 | Registered: Apr 2004
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posted
I agree that something like this should go staight to administration. guidance counselors in my school alwatys try and solve things without involving any kind of reprocussion for the offender. This "stalker" deserves more than a little punishment if he really is stalking someone.
Also, you might want to put a profanity warning in the thread title.
Posts: 1401 | Registered: Jun 2004
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posted
By engaging in this conversation, your brother was giving "the stalker" attention, which was probably what he wanted. He's working from a position of power, he knows who he's dealing with and your brother and his friend don't. They should not continue conversation with this person for any reason, it just feeds the problem. They should certainly consult with school officials, and keep a record of the conversation. Also, do your parents and the friend's parents know yet? They need to.
Posts: 7954 | Registered: Mar 2004
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posted
I dunno if they do or not, I'll direct him to this thread so he can decide what to do. I don't wanna nag him too much about this.
Posts: 3295 | Registered: Jun 2004
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posted
This is one of those situations where you, as a responsible adult, need to make hard calls, that include not caring if people like you or not. Your brother is a sophmore in high school. He has been conversing with a potentially dangerous person. Your parents need to know, period. It's not nagging. Giving him the first option of telling them is fine, but if he won't tell them you need to.
(Hello, Alcon's brother. I hope you understand why I'm saying your parents need to be involved, and that you'll make the decision to tell them yourself, and fast. )
Posts: 7954 | Registered: Mar 2004
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posted
Who says the kid is a stalker? And what makes him a stalker? Highschool kids toss that term around, and it's an epithet as much as a description sometimes. ::works with teens::
Posts: 9912 | Registered: Nov 2005
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posted
I'm fascinated by the psychology here. I've seen it before. "Gee I hate that little f*****! I'm going to rape him." Can anyone say "closet case"?
I think this should be reported. It's a clear threat of violence against a specific person and even if you can't name the "stalker" the threatened victim should be warned. If it's a joke, it's an unacceptable one.
Posts: 6394 | Registered: Dec 1999
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posted
The school needs to know in one way or another. So much of what happens over IM and MySpace and other internet venues goes unreported that it has become the favored playground of bullying and harassment. When I was teaching, there were more problems caused by internet harassment than by anything in the classroom or halls.
Also, how many Law and Order episodes have you seen when the cops go to the principal to see if there were any threats or harassment?
If everyone reports harassment and bullying when they see it, the school has a lot more information to go about investigating and stopping it.
Posts: 3960 | Registered: Jul 2001
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