A documented pattern, not an anecdote
Harassment by phone rarely stays confined to a single channel — a call goes unanswered, so it's followed by a text, then another. Advocacy organizations tracking domestic and dating abuse consistently list repeated unwanted calls and messages among the most common early patterns reported by victims, well before any physical escalation.
What matters legally about a text message
Authentication is the deciding factor
Courts generally treat text messages like any other written communication — they can be used as evidence in both civil and criminal matters, provided they are properly authenticated: proof of who sent it, who received it, when, and that the content hasn't been altered. The difference with a call: the sender of a text cannot claim ignorance that the message would be automatically preserved on the recipient's device.
Written stays, spoken fades
A repeated call can be exhausting in the moment but leaves nothing usable behind. A written message can — provided it's kept, with enough context (sender, timestamp, thread) to be authenticated later if it's ever needed.
A concrete option, not a miracle fix
Egidio lets you block the calls from one specific contact: calls from that number are rejected (sent to voicemail). Egidio doesn't handle SMS — so their texts keep arriving normally in your phone's Messages app. The repeated calling — often the most exhausting part day to day — stops. The written record, if you ever need it later, keeps existing. See how to set one specific contact, number by number.
This setting doesn't replace filing a report or professional support if the situation calls for it — it's one tool among others, not an answer to everything.
If you need to talk to someone
The National Domestic Violence Hotline — free, confidential, available 24/7. You can also text "START" to 88788.
Frequently asked questions
Can text messages be used as evidence?
Yes, in principle. Courts generally treat text messages like any other written communication, provided they are authenticated (proof of sender, recipient, timing, and that the content hasn't been altered) and relevant to the matter at hand.
How do I block a contact's calls but keep their texts?
Block that contact in Egidio: their calls are rejected (sent to voicemail). Egidio doesn't handle SMS, so their texts keep arriving normally in your Messages app.
Is there a helpline in the US?
The National Domestic Violence Hotline is free and available 24/7 at 1-800-799-7233, or by texting "START" to 88788.
Go further
Egidio — The Threat Laboratory, "Phone harassment: keeping a record, cutting the pressure", egidio.app/en/laboratoire/phone-harassment-toxic-relationships/. Licensed CC BY 4.0.
Free to reuse, including commercially, with attribution. Reuse terms.