Stalking

As you may know, cyberstalking can include many different behaviors. It’s often important to understand how the laws defined cyberstalking when trying to figure out how to address it. The U.S. Department of Justice explains cyberstalking as the following: “Although there is no universally accepted definition of cyberstalking, the term is used to refer to the use of the Internet, e-mail, or other electronic communications devices to stalk another person.” Stalking generally involves harassing or threatening behavior that an individual engages in repeatedly, such as following a person, appearing at a person’s home or place of business, making harassing phone calls, leaving written messages or objects, or vandalizing a person’s property. Most stalking laws require that the perpetrator make a credible threat of violence against the victim; others include threats against the victim’s immediate family; and still others require only that the alleged stalker’s course of conduct constitute an implied threat. While some conduct involving annoying or menacing behavior might fall short of illegal stalking, such behavior may be a prelude to stalking and violence and should be treated seriously. [LOOK IN THE CRIMES PAGE FOR THEIR STATE TO SEE HOW THEIR STATE DEFINES IT - IT MAY BE IN THE STALKING CRIME, NOT ITS OWN CRIME AND INCLUDE THAT INFO AND LINK TO THE STATUTE]

Because cyberstalking involves the use of technology, it’s important to understand how technology can be used in a harmful manner by an abusive person and how survivors can use technology safely and privately. The NNEDV Safety Net Project has a series of resources for survivors and service providers on technology safety and privacy. Here you can find more information about their Resources. I also wanted to let you know that we have an Abuse Using Technology section with more information and safety tips that may be helpful.

[INSERT IF NECESSARY] A local domestic violence program in your state may have more state-specific information regarding stalking or cyberstalking, or you may be able to talk to someone about your specific situation. You can find a local domestic violence program in your state on our Advocates and Shelters page. [HYPERLINK]

We have a link to a cyberstalking log on our website section called How should I document the abuse? that could be helpful and you can find more information from another project in our organization, Safety Net, about Documenting evidence.