Cyberstalking: Utilizing What We do Know

Abstract

Current newspaper accounts have highlighted some of the more sensationalized cyberstalking cases, but what do we really know about these offenses and their victims? While there are some similarities between traditional offline stalking and cyberstalking, the differences between the two can have a tremendous impact on victims. This article will focus on what we know about cyberstalking, such as the harm it may cause, the apparent increasing nature in terms of volume and escalating actions of these types of crimes, and the observation that many state laws do not adequately address cyberstalking offenses. In light of what we do know, we can conclude that there is much more that we do not know about cyberstalking in part because it is rarely reported, law enforcement agencies are ill equipped to handle it when it is reported, and the availability of resources are often lacking. This article will focus on the policy implications and some of the steps necessary to increase our knowledge about cyberstalking to better assist and aid its victims.

Keywords:

• cyberstalking
• stalking
• cyber victims
• computer crimes

Notes

1. Again, one caveat. This is self-reported data to a Web site, and it is not representative of actual victimization. At best it is a (small) step above anecdotal information.