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Cyberstalking is the misuse of technology to harass, stalk or threaten an individual. It can also be referred to as cyberbullying or cyberharassment. Perpetrators can target all ages and genders, though young people are more at risk through the various social media channels that cater to their demographic. Most people know their cyberstalkers—an ex-partner, a friend, a family member, a coworker. Cyberstalkers want to get the attention of their victim by any means necessary.
It’s important to take cyberstalking just as seriously as one would take stalking in the outside world, as it can cause severe distress, psychological damage and even an increased risk of suicide in young people. According to research, children and young people under 25 who are victims of cyberbullying are more than twice as likely to self-harm and enact suicidal behavior.
Cyberstalking can also escalate into in-person forms of abuse and violence.
The Intent of Cyberstalkers
Those who choose to stalk or harass a victim online may be doing so for one or more of the following reasons:
Being a victim of stalking in the outside world is frightening, but we often feel a sense of safety once we get home and are able to lock the door behind us. Cyberstalking allows an abuser to circumvent physical barriers and invade a victim’s life from a distance. Cyberstalkers are well versed in hiding on the internet as well as covering their tracks, making reporting and prosecuting cyberharassment challenging.
What Does Cyberstalking Look Like?
Online abuse can take many forms. It may look like:
You can read more about cyberstalking tactics on Women’s Media Center. Keep in mind, cyberstalking is not just limited to your phone and computer—some perpetrators have the ability to hack into smart home devices and monitor, harass or scare victims that way.
Is Cyberstalking Illegal?
While stalking is illegal in all 50 states, the specific nuances of each stalking law vary, including how cyberstalking is described. Luckily, the Violence Against Women Act enacted a cyberstalking amendment to the federal criminal provisions against stalking in 2013, allowing for electronic communication that causes emotional distress to be recognized as a form of stalking.
What To Do If You’re the Target of Cyberstalking
Survivor Sheri Kurdakul is the founder and CEO of the nonprofit VictimsVoice, says stalking is one of the hardest crimes to prove. “There are ambiguous, often-times subtle tactics, and it crosses jurisdictions.” She adds, “While technology is moving ahead at lighting speed, the court systems and law enforcement are not.”
Blocking or deleting a stalker from your social media or email inbox is typically the first piece of advice, but “it doesn’t often work,” she says. “They’ll make another profile or work through other people.” The most important thing, she says, is gathering date- and time-stamped evidence like screenshots, call logs, text messages. That’s why Kurdakul created the VictimsVoice progressive web app which helps you create legally admissible chronological records to submit in court.
Here are other steps to take if you find yourself targeted by an online stalker:
How to Safely Be Online
Unfortunately, it’s not that difficult for a cyberstalker to access someone’s information online or hack into a smart device. If you’ve ever Googled yourself before, you know how much so-called private information can be found just by searching just a name. That’s why it’s important to take safety precautions any time you go online or add new technology to your life. Think of it as virtually locking your front door.
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What If You’re Still with an Abuser?
If you’re a victim of domestic violence who is still living with an abusive partner, extra precautions online should be considered, especially if you’re looking for information or help to escape. Try to use a computer that’s not your own, if possible, to research domestic violence or chat online with an advocate. Try the library, a friend’s house or your workplace. Disable texts and emails from popping up on your screen to avoid sensitive information being seen by an abuser. And keep in mind that a phone, even in airplane mode, can serve as a tracking device. If you’re fleeing an abuser, leave your phone behind. You can always get a new one later.
Remember: Any cell phone that can be turned on and has a signal can call 911, even when it is not activated and even if the account has lapsed due to late or no payment.
More Articles That Can Help
For more information on technology and its link to domestic violence, you may want to read one of these articles:
We've prepared a toolkit What Is Cyberstalking? to help you understand even more what cyberstalking is and so you can better assess and understand your situation.
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