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Cyberstalkers - It Could Happen To You
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Dating Advice & Articles
Cyberstalkers - It Could Happen To You
Cyberstalkers - It Could Happen To You
"As the popularity of the
Internet skyrockets, so does the problem of online harassment known as
cyberstalking." writes Mary
Spicuzza in MetroActive News. Her article goes into detail about
one example, a young woman named Deirdre, and how her ex-boyfriend Mike
began cyberstalking her online.
"At first, the bulletin board was just a way to chat with her peers--until the night in 1994 when she turned on her computer and realized that her ex-boyfriend Mike had made
good on his promise to find her. Anywhere. It was just a quick note to say hello and update her on his growing gun collection."
The article
goes on to tell a frightening story. "Since 1994, when he visited Santa Cruz and regained access to the UCSC computer system, Mike has posted hundreds of messages and sent countless emails to Deirdre. Many describe detailed revenge fantasies, torturing and killing animals and his growing collection of guns. Others accuse Deirdre of having AIDS and mental disorders, and divulge intimate details of her life to her online peers."
There are motions underway to help protect people online, such as the FTC's
Children's OnLine Privacy Protection Act. Their new ruling means that,
"as of April 21, 2000, certain commercial Web sites must obtain parental
consent before collecting, using, or disclosing personal information from
children under 13."
CNet produced an excellent
"What
To Do" article on the subject of cyberstalking and what you can do
to prevent it or avoid it. Online organizations are gaining in strength
and numbers to protect individuals online, such as CyberAngels.
Other crusaders on the Net
include Jayne Hitchcock, co-president of WHOA.
Hitchcock was present on 25 June 1999 when New Hampshire Governor Jeanne Shaheen signed HB345 into law, making online harassment/cyberstalking a crime. It is a Class
A Misdemeanor offense, with fines up to $2,500 and/or up to a year in jail. The law went into effect immediately, at approximately 1:45 p.m. on 25 June 1999. Hitchcock also appeared before the House of Representatives
in Washington, D.C. on 29 September 1999 to provide testimony on behalf
of HR
1869, a bill that would make cyberstalking a federal crime. Her
story is another nightmare that began as a simple submission to a literary agency to sell her book idea.
Time4me Copyright © 1999
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
Additional Resources On This Subject
Institute
for Law and Justice - provides excellent articles and further information on this serious subject. The Institute for Law and Justice (ILJ), with support of the National Institute of Justice, U.S. Department of Justice
(NIJ), is studying enactment of legislation throughout the States to counter the crime of stalking and support programs that have been developed for victims and their relatives or control of offenders.
Institute
for Law and Justice - stalking Federal and International resources.
Women
Halting OnLine Abuse - (WHOA) The mission of W.H.O.A. is to educate
the Internet community about online harassment, empower victims of harassment,
and formulate voluntary policies that systems can adopt in order to create
harassment-free environments.
CyberAngels
has worked to pass state cyberstalking laws, which exist in 21 states. Such laws make it clear that using computers or technological devices like pagers to stalk and harass others is, like physical stalking, illegal and
subject to prosecution. CyberAngels also provides prevention education, legal advice and counseling sessions for victims. They provide confidential reporting measures too - truly CyberAngels in name and deed.
The
Law vs. Online Stalking - By Marie D'Amico
The
Natcional Center for Victims of Crime
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