When an investigator is presented with a cyber-stalking case they have a few steps that must be followed before beginning. The first step should be to begin an investigation into the allegation’s that are being made and whether or not there is an individual in question or not. This is a priority because a cyber-stalking charge can be very serious. The investigator must be aware that in some cases individuals will do anything to get at another if they have been jilted in a relationship gone wrong. After substantiating the claim the investigator should ask the obvious questions such as do you know who is responsible? If so where do they live and what kind of vehicle, if any, do they have. Another question that is important for investigators to …show more content…
Next the investigator should interview anyone who may have may have witnessed the stalking or could have information that could be vital in the case. This is very important because a witness to the fact could prove very valuable in prosecuting the responsible person. After substantiating enough evidence to proceed, the investigator would then need the victim to record a statement in writing. This is very important because the victim gets to express what the stalking has meant to them and how it has disrupted their lives. A written statement is also important in the investigation and prosecution processes. Afterwards the investigator would need the victim to bring forth information or data that would constitute proof. The investigator would then collect all of the evidence from the victim. The evidence would include any devices that have been used to stalk them. This can include a home computer, a laptop computer, cell phone, that may contain text messages, voice messages, and phone call logs. Cyber stalking is a crime that is carried out by sending threatening e-mails, making phone calls to victims and following their every move through social …show more content…
In some cases the individual becomes too terrified to even leave their homes. This can lead to the loss of a job, relationship, even ones place in society. Cyber-stalking is one of the toughest crimes to prove because many victims mostly women become too terrified to report it or follow through with prosecution due to threats. Next in the process of the investigation the investigator would try to identify the perpetrator by figuring when and how the stalking began. Next they would proceed to check with friends and family to be sure no one else was being stalked and interviews each one of them for their opinion. In many cases friends and family can help shed light onto someone that may have been over looked. Next the investigator would look into the origin of the stalking and narrow the list of those who could be
The National Conference of State Legislatures (2013) defines Cyber stalking as the use of the internet, email or other electronic communications to stalk. It generally refers to a pattern of threatening behaviors or malicious intent. The NCSL considered it the most dangerous of cyber harassments. According to the Louisiana statute, Cyberstalking is the actions of any person to perform the following:
Stewart, B., Boyd, M., & Nunnally, D. (2002). STALKING THE STALKER. People, 58(10), 74. Retrieved February 20, 2012, from EBSCOhost
Stalking is most commonly defined “...as non-consensual communication, and/or harassment of another person” (Spitz). Stalking can be ruled as a misdemeanor or a felony depending on the severity of the actions, but it is not considered illegal if one is not threatened or in potential danger. There are two types of stalking; one involves the victim and stalker having a personal relationship with one another, while the other involves the two having no connection at all (Accomando and Anderson). Stalking consists of the repetition of undesired and frightening acts from the stalker, and it is a major violation of privacy (Accomando and Anderson; Wigman). Over
In the case of stalking, which is relatively new in the research arena and thus has a limited evidence base to inform practice, SPJ appears to be the most appropriate as only a detailed and flexible risk assessment process that takes into account the different forms of potential damage can provide a basis for management that reduces the potential harm to the victim and the stalker both (Mullen et al, 2006). Further research into stalking risk factors and comprehensive assessment tools will aid the development of more accurate and detailed procedures specific to the assessment of risk in stalking.
“Stalking” is a term used to describe harassment or contact that is unwanted and repeated. 1 in 6 women and 1 in 19 men have been stalked in their lives (Stalking statistics, 2014). This is a very serious crime that is often overlooked due to embarrassment or underestimating the severity of it. However, stalking can become violent very quickly. Some only threaten their victims and never go any further (stalking,2014), but other cases can become quite severe.
When people hear the word stalking, they mainly associate the term with a stranger who follows around someone. However, most stalkers are former friends or partners of their victims. Stalking is a criminal activity of someone harassing or threatening another person repeatedly. About 90% of stalkers are men and 80% of victims are women, but 8% of men and 2% of women have been stalked in their lifetime. However, stalking is extremely difficult to prove because it is a case of “he said, she said”. Therefore, stalking is sometimes overlooked. There are many types of stalkers with crazy motivations, outrageous personalities and behaviors and they have forever changed the lives of their victims.
Based on a study done by Schwartz-Watts and Morgan at the American Academy of Psychology Law, they found that stalking was far more prevalent than anyone had imagined: 8% of American women and 2% of American men will be stalked in their lifetimes. That’s 1.4 million American stalking victims every year.
What is considered equal to the death of an innocent man? How about 2 men? Or maybe 16 men, whose lives were cut short at the simple pull of a trigger. What makes their loss pardonable? In 1846, 16 American soldiers were slaughtered by Mexican Armed Forces in US land without motive.
Stalking involves threatening behaviors and harassment. It is not the type of actions that should be taken lightly because it can lead to much more violent behaviors. This is why stalking is a very important topic to address when discussing intimate violence. All too often stalking will lead to further violence by not only strangers but acquaintances and former partners. It can also become a toxic situation where harm or death results (Meadows, 2010). Stalking cases can vary in several ways. For instance, the way the stalking takes place and/or the motives behind the stalking. Stalking can begin to happen before the victim even realizes it and that is why it is important to gain knowledge on how to deal with the situation.
The World Wide Web and Internet are great places to study, work, or even play. But there is an ugly side of cyberspace. Cyberspace reflects the real world and some people tend to forget that. Cyberstalking and harassment are problems that a large number of people (especially women) are realizing. (Jenson, 1996, p.1)
Cyber bullying can be more terrifying than standard bullying, because the target typically does not know who is after them. Cyber bullies believe that because they are posting anonymously or not using their names, they can get away with anything. The case is that Internet activity is traceable. It is important to know that cyber bullying can be charged as crimes. In some cases, cyber bullies will be charged as sexual predators and have to be on the registry. Furthermore, items posted on the Internet can affect the person’s ability to get into university or employment.
The real problem is that state cyberstalking laws differ in regards to definitions, protections, and penalties. These issues include who the harassment is directed at, the type of communication
According to Wikipedia.com cyberstalking is the act of stalking someone via the means of electronic devices. This incudes online threatening and or harassing behaviour that an individual engages in repeatedly. This is in most cases potentially dangerous only if someone manages to get a hold of your email address otherwise this form of harassment isn't really that much of a problem . If someone is harassing you in a chat room simply leave. I don't believe this crime is a big problem amongst us today. Although some people may be left in uncomfortable situations and in a worried state of mind that this person may eventually catch up with you in the long run.
Violence against women is not always physical. With the continuing advancements in technology, cyber stalking is an increasing way for predators to attack women. “Cyber stalking is the use of the Internet or other electronic means to stalk someone which may be a computer crime or harassment.” The anonymity of interacting with someone online makes it very easy to stalk someone without even leaving home. Cyber stalkers have a sense of security that since they are not seen, they will not be identified. It is estimated that over 75% of victims are women. This estimated figure is lower than the actual number because a large majority of cyber stalking goes unreported.
With the development in technology cyber bullying and cyber crimes became a serious issue. Cyber bullying is terms as the use of electronic means of communication so as to bully an individual and most typically it occurs when one sends messages that are threatening or of an intimidating nature (Florence, 2014). Cyber crime on the other hand refers to crime that involves a network and a computer and in regard to this the computer or network may be the target (Study.com, n.d). Cyber bullying and cyber crimes are well known problem in the world but they aren’t noticed like bullying and crimes but they can be harmful and serious.