My Ex Leaves Me Threatening Voicemail Messages. What Can I Do?

August 31, 2025

When most people think of domestic violence, they mostly do so within the context of physical, sexual, or verbal abuse. Yet, there’s another form of abuse that an ex-partner can inflict on their victim: contacting them and leaving threatening messages meant to make them feel unsafe or fear that they are in imminent danger. This is formally known as a terroristic threat and is considered a crime in Pennsylvania.

If you’re feeling unsafe or in danger due to voicemail messages from a former partner, the Family Law Team at the LLF Law Firm can help you navigate these issues and work to provide a swift and effective resolution that’ll compel your ex-partner to stop sending you threatening messages and ensure your safety.

Call 888-535-3686 or send us a message to explore viable solutions to the threat.

Understanding Terroristic Threatening Within the Confines of DV

According to Section 2706 of the Pennsylvania Statutes, anyone who directly or indirectly communicates in a manner that suggests a real risk of harm or danger to another can be charged with terroristic threats.

So, if your ex-partner hopes or intends to terrorize you by leaving threatening voicemail messages, they can be arrested for the crime.

Some examples of terroristic threats in domestic violence cases include:

  • A wife files for divorce, citing a lack of chemistry. The man moves out and starts calling her after a few days. She doesn’t pick his calls, and he leaves voicemails telling her they better not cross paths or he’ll hurt her.
  • A husband says he needs some space and moves out of the house with just a few clothes. The wife, thinking or imagining he’s seeing someone else, calls him on the phone, threatening to destroy his certificates, destroy his vehicle, or burn down the house.
  • An ex-fiancé who works nights in a hospital breaks off their engagement, and their former lover sends them messages warning them to watch their backs while coming back from work, or they might get hurt.

Now, it doesn’t matter if they go through with the threats. As long as the recipients of these messages feel unsafe, threatened, or terrorized by these messages, the victims can seek relief. The operative word in this regard is “terrorize”, specifically relating to causing panic, fear, and a sense of impending harm in the victim.

Once it’s determined that the reason for their action is to terrorize you and make you feel unsafe, the experienced domestic violence attorneys at the LLF Law Firm can make them stop and pay for their actions.

Depending on the severity of their actions and the impact it has on the victim, people who are convicted of terroristic threats in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania potentially face fines of up to $10,000 and/or up to 7 years in jail. With the right legal representation, a Protection From Abuse order can be issued against the person making terroristic threats.

Get Legal Help and Protection

It doesn’t matter if you’ve known the person for a long time and think they are incapable of following through on their threats. The reality is that emotional trauma brought on by separation can cloud people’s judgments.

So, protect yourself by seeking legal help to stop your ex from harassing or threatening you. The Family Law Team at the LLF Law Firm can help ensure that you get the right protections and safety that you require.

Call 888-535-3686 or use this contact form to communicate with us to discuss your case.

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