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Cyberstalking
Cyberstalking can be defined as threatening behavior or unwanted advances directed at another using the
Internet and other forms of online and computer communications. Cyberstalkers target their victims through
chat rooms, message boards, discussion forums, and e-mail. Cyberstalking takes many forms such as:
threatening or obscene e-mail; spamming (in which a stalker sends a victim a multitude of junk e-mail);
live chat harassment or flaming (online verbal abuse); leaving improper messages on message boards or in
guest books; sending electronic viruses; sending unsolicited e-mail; tracing another person's computer and
Internet activity, and electronic identity theft. Similar to stalking off-line, online stalking can be a
terrifying experience for victims, placing them at risk of psychological trauma, and possible physical harm.
Many cyberstalking situations do evolve into off-line stalking, and a victim may experience abusive and
excessive phone calls, vandalism, threatening or obscene mail, trespassing, and physical assault.
Effects
Just because cyberstalking does not include physical contact with the perpetrator does not mean it is not
as threatening or frightening as any other type of crime. Victims of cyberstalking often experience
psychological trauma, as well as physical and emotional reactions as a result of their victimization. Some
of these effects may include:
- changes in sleeping and eating patterns
- nightmares
- hypervigilance
- anxiety
- helplessness
- fear for safety
- shock and disbelief
If You Are A Victim of Cyberstalking
- Victims who are under the age of 18 should tell their parents or another adult they trust about any
harassments and/or threats.
- Experts suggest that in cases where the offender is known, victims should send the stalker a clear
written warning. Specifically, victims should communicate that the contact is unwanted, and ask the
perpetrator to cease sending communications of any kind. Victims should do this only once. Then, no matter
the response, victims should under no circumstances ever communicate with the stalker again. Victims should
save copies of this communication in both electronic and hard copy form.
- If the harassment continues, the victim may wish to file a complaint with the stalker's Internet
service provider, as well as with their own service provider. Many Internet service providers offer tools
that filter or block communications from specific individuals.
- As soon as individuals suspect they are victims of online harassment or cyberstalking, they should
start collecting all evidence and document all contact made by the stalker. Save all e-mail, postings, or
other communications in both electronic and hard-copy form. If possible, save all of the header information
from e-mails and newsgroup postings. Record the dates and times of any contact with the stalker.
- Victims may also want to start a log of each communication explaining the situation in more detail.
Victims may want to document how the harassment is affecting their lives and what steps they have taken to
stop the harassment.
- Victims may want to file a report with local law enforcement or contact their local prosecutor's
office to see what charges, if any, can be pursued. Victims should save copies of police reports and record
all contact with law enforcement officials and the prosecutor's office.
- Victims who are being continually harassed may want to consider changing their e-mail address,
Internet service provider, a home phone number, and should examine the possibility of using encryption
software or privacy protection programs. Any local computer store can offer a variety of protective
software, options and suggestions. Victims may also want to learn how to use the filtering capabilities of email programs to block e-mails from certain addresses.
Furthermore, victims should contact online directory listings such as
www.four11.com,
www.switchboard.com,
and www.whowhere.com to request removal from their directory.
- Finally, under no circumstances should victims agree to meet with the perpetrator face to face to
"work it out," or "talk." No contact should ever be made with the stalker. Meeting a stalker in person can
be very dangerous.
This information was taken from
The National Center for Victims of Crime.
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