Dez LoreenNorthern
Northern News Services
Thursday, June 28, 2007

INUVIK - Some women in town have been harassed by an unknown caller and think the problem started online.

For safety reasons, the women interviewed for this story wished to stay anonymous. Jean (not her real name) said the phone calls started for her a few weeks ago.

"I can't even count how many time I've been called," she said.

"The calls happen all night, ranging from 11 p.m. to 8 a.m."

Jean said the calls start off with a male voice, followed by a moaning woman.

"The first call was for my mother. I told him she wasn't at home," recalled Jean.

"Then he told me it was okay for me to hear his message. That's when he started playing porn noises."

Jean said the call was obscene and made her feel uncomfortable, but she chalked it up to a friend joking around.

"The tape he played sounded like it was looped to repeat itself," said Jean.

"The call lasted a few minutes, I asked who it was. The more I talked, the more annoyed his voice sounded."

It was after the first few calls that Jean called the RCMP.

"I asked the RCMP about any other incidences, but they said they had no clue what it was about," said Jean.

"The police asked what was said and how they said it."

Jean said the last call she received was in the early morning, when she yelled at the caller.

"The last time he called, I freaked out at him," said Jean.

The police told her they would look into the matter.

"The RCMP told me to watch what I say, so I don't make this guy think I enjoy this or anything," she said.

Jean said she thinks that being a part of a big social circle is a possible reason for being targeted.

"He's been calling my friends. We all know each other and it's kind of weird," said Jean.

"I feel pretty invaded, but I don't really feel scared. It does make me think twice about going out with my friends though."

Jean said she believes the man responsible for the calls is local and could be watching them from a distance.

Jean added that the calls might stem from the website Bebo.

"We're all on Bebo and talk to each other a lot," she said.

Jean said she thinks the guy is being entertained by the obscene calls.

"I think he's getting off on this," she said.

"It was scary at first, now it's just disgusting."

Jean has a warning for other women who could be targets of the caller.

"Just be smart about what you put out there online," she said.

Jean said she feels that people reveal too much on websites like Bebo.

"I know some people who drag out way too much on those sites. There are all kinds of people reading those profiles," she said.

Another victim of the calls, Beth, said the calls are shaking her trust in the people of Inuvik.

"This definitely takes away from that whole 'we live in a small town where everybody knows everybody and we all take care of each other' mentality," said Beth.

Beth wants people to know about this caller because she felt vulnerable and wants other victims of the harassment to come forward.

"Its a good idea for people to talk about this. It's not just happening to one person. It's a whole bunch," said Beth.

"If we acknowledge that we are connected, then there is kind of that safety in numbers."

RCMP Const. Kile Pharis said the Inuvik RCMP are investigating the matter and are looking for anyone else who may have information about the caller or other related incidents.

"We are in the initial stages of the investigation and we need the help from others who have been called," said Pharis.

"We're trying to find out who this guy is."