This is a staggering case which I believe everyone needs to hear about:
Stamford Woman, Kayla Ponde, Charged for Harassing Lover’s Girlfriend via Text
On Monday, the mistress of a guy from Stamford was accused of sending 76 harassing SMS to the man’s girlfriend. The texts were allegedly sent by the mistress.
After posting a $10,000 court appearance bond, Kayla Ponder, who is 22 years old and lives on Bedford Street, was released from custody after being charged with 76 counts of harassment.
In March, a woman reported to the police that Kayla Ponder was sending her texts in the middle of the night. She told the police that she was concerned about the situation. According to the affidavit that was used to arrest Ponder, the woman told the police that Kayla Ponder was having an affair with her boyfriend.
According to the affidavit, Kayla Ponder was called by the police and agreed that she would not contact the woman again. This was even though the messages did not appear to be threatening, and the two appeared to be texting back and forth.
On March 20, three days later, the woman expressed her dissatisfaction with the delivery of 76 text messages from Kayla Ponder within a span of thirty-five minutes.
According to the arrest complaint, the majority of the communications were screenshots depicting texts that her philandering boyfriend had sent to Kayla Ponder. These screenshots were contained on her boyfriend’s phone. Nevertheless, the report did not contain any information regarding the specifics of the messages.
In the affidavit, it was stated that four of the texts that Kayla Ponder sent to the woman were purportedly photographs of her boyfriend’s genital parts that he had given to her.
A statement in the affidavit stated that Kayla Ponder admitted to sending the texts.
Why We Can’t Ignore Harassment Cases?
Online Harassment & Abuse
- 22% of Americans reported experiencing severe harassment on social media in 2024, up from 18% the previous year.
- Women and girls are disproportionately targeted: a 2024 UN report found that 67% experience online violence such as defamation and misinformation.
Workplace Harassment & Discrimination
- In fiscal year 2024, the EEOC received 88,531 discrimination and harassment charges, a 9% increase over 2023.
- Harassment claims result in substantial recoveries: in 2023, the EEOC secured $664 million for workplace harassment and discrimination victims, 30% more than in 2022.
Institutional Harassment & Misconduct
- Over one-third of FDIC employees reported experiencing or witnessing harassment or toxic behavior at work.
- Within the FBI, reports of sexual misconduct nearly doubled since 2021; around 300 complaints were filed by 2024.
- Among federal judiciary employees, 8.3% reported workplace abuse in 2023, and over 34% experienced inappropriate behavior.
Social Media Harassment
Online abuse continues to be a significant issue in the U.S., with 22% of Americans reporting severe online harassment in 2024. Women, in particular, are disproportionately targeted, facing higher rates of defamation, threats, and digital intimidation.
EEOC Charges and Recoveries
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) received 88,531 charges of workplace discrimination and harassment in fiscal year 2024, reflecting a 9% increase from the previous year. These rising numbers were matched by significant financial outcomes—$664 million was secured in 2023 for victims of workplace harassment, marking a 30% increase over the recoveries in 2022.
FDIC Workplace Misconduct
At the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), internal reviews revealed that more than one-third of employees experienced or witnessed harassment or toxic workplace behavior, pointing to systemic cultural problems within the institution.
FBI Sexual Misconduct
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has seen a troubling surge in misconduct complaints, with approximately 300 reports of sexual harassment or abuse filed by 2024. This reflects a nearly 50% increase since 2021 and has prompted calls for internal reform and greater accountability.
Abuse in the Federal Judiciary
In the U.S. federal judiciary, a 2023 workplace survey found that 8.3% of employees experienced abuse, while over 34% reported inappropriate behavior. These findings highlight persistent issues in even the highest tiers of public service.
These statistics make it clear that harassment—whether online, in federal agencies, or private workplaces—remains a widespread and serious issue in the United States. The steady rise in reports and financial settlements indicates both a growing awareness and a deeper, unresolved cultural problem across sectors.
These figures reveal that harassment remains a pervasive issue—in digital spaces, workplaces, and federal institutions. The rising volume of incidents and complaints, especially among vulnerable employees, underscores the pressing need for stronger protections and systemic change.
