Obscene Phone Calls Are Still A Thing. What To Do If You Get One
Laura works in retail at a popular lingerie shop. She’s been getting obscene calls at work and is wondering what to do about it and what’s up with the weird dude who calls.
What she’s describing is what psychologists- like our Dr. Cooper- call a scatologia, or a Coprolalia,. That is a deviant sexual practice in which the person is deriving sexual pleasure from using obscene language on the phone. The calls, usually to strangers, are part of the fetish. Men who do this often masturbate during the call.
Telephone scatologia is usually classed as a paraphilia from a psychiatric viewpoint. It is a diagnosable problem and has a place in the DSM-5 (the bible therapists use to diagnose mental health issues both big and small).
But these calls may be considered a form of sexual harassment, stalking, or both. And in some states, it is a Class 1 Misdemeanor. If you are getting obscene phone calls, you are an unwilling recipient of them. So, do is not answer and say “you sicko” because the caller might like that. Instead simply hang up and then report the incident to the telephone company or the police.
HERE’S MORE ON THIS PARAPHILIA
First up, a paraphilia, as opposed to a fetish is an abnormal sexual desire, typically involving extreme or dangerous activities. Fetishes are harmless and personal and don’t hurt others against their will.
Telephone scatologia, also known as scatophilic or scatologic telephonic harassment, is a paraphilia that involves making obscene phone calls for the purpose of sexual gratification. The caller typically uses explicit language or discusses explicit sexual acts, often involving feces, with the recipient of the call. Telephone scatologia is a type of exhibitionism, as the caller seeks to expose themselves and their sexual fantasies to the unsuspecting recipient.
ARE THEY GETTING OFF ON THIS?
Individuals with telephone scatologia may experience intense arousal and sexual pleasure from making these calls, which can lead to compulsive behavior. They may also have difficulty controlling their urges and may continue to make these calls despite the risks of being caught and punished.
Telephone scatologia is considered a form of sexual harassment and is illegal in many jurisdictions. Victims of this type of harassment may experience fear, anxiety, and trauma as a result of the calls, particularly if they are repeated or ongoing. In some cases, victims may also experience social isolation or fear of using the phone.
CAN THEY STOP?
Treatment for telephone scatologia typically involves psychotherapy, particularly cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and/or medication. CBT aims to help individuals identify and challenge their distorted thoughts and beliefs about sex and relationships, while medication can help reduce the compulsive and impulsive behavior associated with the disorder.
WHAT TO DO
It is important to note that telephone scatologia is relatively rare. However, if you ever get a call like this, do not engage. Simply hang up and alert your local police since a person like this will likely find others to harass if they have no joy with you. You want to help stop them from hurting others and be instrumental in their getting the help they need.
