Obscene or Harassing Telephone Calls

Under D.C. Code $22–3531, it is unlawful to use any telephone, computer, or other electronic communication device to make obscene, indecent, or harassing comments, requests, or suggestions. The law covers voice calls, SMS, email, chat applications, and social media messages, demonstrating a commitment to regulating communication across all digital platforms. This specific statute highlights the District’s proactive approach to safeguarding its residents from various forms of electronic harassment. The reach of this law ensures that few forms of digital misconduct escape its purview.

Anyone can be a victim of obscene or harassing communication, including acquaintances, coworkers, strangers, or even former partners, regardless of the prior relationship. The law protects individuals from both targeted harassment and broader communication campaigns designed to humiliate or offend. Importantly, the focus of the law is on the nature of the communication itself and the intent of the sender, not the relationship between the parties. This wide scope ensures comprehensive protection against unwanted sexual or offensive calls.

The communication must be explicitly transmitted via an electronic device as defined by the statute. This includes telephones (calls, voicemails, SMS), computers (emails, DMs, social media), messaging applications (e.g., WhatsApp, Messenger), and gaming chat platforms. The statutory definition ensures that the law applies to evolving technology and not just traditional telephones. Communication made through written letters or in-person interaction is not covered under this specific statute but may fall under other criminal laws, such as stalking or harassment.

The content must be proven to be sexually explicit, lascivious, or grossly indecent and sent with the intent to offend, humiliate, or disturb the recipient. Furthermore, the communication must be capable of causing shame, disgust, or emotional distress to a reasonable person. Courts determine "obscenity" by evaluating how a reasonable person would interpret the content—not solely by the sender’s subjective intent. This objective standard provides a legal framework for assessing the severity of the obscene communication.

Intent is a required element of the crime, meaning the communication must be made with the specific goal of abusing, harassing, or threatening the recipient, or provoking a reaction that provides sexual gratification to the sender. This specific intent is a difficult element for prosecutors to prove and often relies heavily on context and a pattern of behavior. If the sender lacked intent but the content was objectively inappropriate, prosecutors may still pursue alternative charges (e.g., disorderly conduct or stalking) that have a lower standard of intent.

Collecting and preserving digital evidence is the most critical first step for any victim of obscene communication. This evidence includes screenshots of messages or images, call logs and voicemail recordings, email headers and timestamps, and chat transcripts. This documentation is essential for police reports and subsequent court proceedings, as digital records provide a clear, objective account of the offense. Failure to preserve this evidence can severely weaken a victim's case, so immediate action is recommended.

Victims can begin the reporting process through various channels, including the MPD Cyber Crime Unit for immediate non-emergency digital reporting, or the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3), especially if interstate communication is involved. Online reports are typically preliminary, and in most cases, follow-up with a formal in-person report at the local precinct is required. During the in-person report, victims must be prepared to provide a detailed written statement, submit all supporting materials, and describe the emotional and psychological impact of the communication to ensure the report is taken seriously.