Can I Sue Someone For Sending Me Rude Text Messages in New Jersey? 

When we think of sexual harassment, we usually think of unwanted sexual advances, touching, or maybe sexually aggressive comments. 

But with the COVID-19 lockdowns, working from home has replaced the regular social dynamics of the office and workplace. Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, complaints of physical sexual harassment have gone down, but digital forms of sexual misconduct have gone up. 

Everything that was happening in person has now made its way to emails, text messages, phone calls, and social media. The good news for victims is that the laws on sexual harassment don’t become null and void just because it’s on a screen or over the phone. 

If you’ve been sexually harassed via a rude text message or email in New Jersey, know that what you’ve been through is illegal and that you may be entitled to compensation. To see what kind of compensation you’re entitled to, get in touch with an experienced New Jersey sexual harassment lawyer today and explore your legal options. 

Is sending rude text messages illegal? 

Unsolicited text messages with nudity or graphic sexual wording is considered a form of hostile work environment sexual harassment. The key thing to prove in a complaint or lawsuit over this scenario is that the messages were unwanted. Oftentimes, somebody will file a complaint for sexual harassment, but the courts discover that the plaintiff was in a relationship with the defendant. On the other hand, the court might discover that the defendant had no way of knowing that the messages were unwanted. This type of thing hurts a plaintiff’s chance of proving that the messages were indeed “sexual harassment.”

If you’re dating a coworker and you tell them you love them, you likely won’t be able to sue them for sexual harassment if they send you sexual text messages the next day. 

What about if they tried to bribe me? 

If your boss, manager, or someone higher up than you tries to pressure you into a sexual relationship in exchange for you getting some type of job benefit, like a pay raise or promotion, this is called ‘quid pro quo’ sexual harassment. This scenario is also illegal and is one of the main, common types of sexual harassment cases, and often happens via text message. 

How do I file a lawsuit against someone for doing these things to me? 

If you’re wondering if what happened is lawsuit-worthy, you can always get in touch with a New Jersey-based sexual harassment lawyer. Otherwise, anyone who wants to file a sexual harassment suit must first file a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) within 300 days of the last incident you experienced. 

Do you need help with a sexual harassment lawsuit in New Jersey? 

Don’t hesitate to get in touch with an experienced New Jersey sexual harassment lawyer. Seasoned attorneys are waiting for you in almost every town in the state, including Camelot.