Racheal L. Stimpson, Ph.D. Consultant, NASCAP Project

Cyberstalking is a relatively new phenomenon due to the increased mainstream use of technology. This increased use includes the use of social networking sites such as Facebook, MySpace, LinkedIn, and Classmates as well as text messaging. Since cyberstalking is a newer issue there are many unresolved components including harassment, sexual harassment, and stalking.

There is not one standard definition for cyberstalking however the general consensus is that Cyberstalking: includes persistent behavior directed at a specific individual that is unwelcome, intrusive, or induces fear. Stalking is a pattern of behavior that results in the victim feeling harassed or threatened.

Using technology to stalk Technology includes: cell phones computers cameras GPS faxes TTY machines

About half (46%) of stalking victims experienced at least one unwanted contact per week 11% of victims said they had been stalked for 5 years or more. Approximately 1 in 4 stalking victims reported some form of cyberstalking such as (83%) or instant messaging (35%). Women were at greater risk than men for stalking victimization; however, women and men were equally likely to experience harassment.

Electronic monitoring was used to stalk 1 in 13 victims. Video or digital cameras were equally likely as listening devices or bugs to be used to electronically monitor victims (46% and 42%). Global positioning system (GPS) technology comprised about a tenth of the electronic monitoring of stalking victims.

…is a form of intimidating conduct aimed at an individual or group of individuals based on age, skin color, race, gender, disability, national or ethnic origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, or veteran status. Harassment includes behaviors that unreasonable interfere with the persons work, academic performance, participation in university activities, or creates a working or learning environment that a reasonable person would find threatening or intimidating.

Harassment can include: making sexual comments sexual jokes sexual gestures spreading sexual rumors about a person touching, grabbing or pinching someone in a sexual manner intentionally brushing up against someone in a sexual way flashing or "mooning" someone

8 out of 10 students experience harassment in K- 12 education Males and females harassed 1/3 of students experience harassment first year of college 62% of college students surveyed reported being sexually harassed in some form 59% Title IX complaints in postsecondary education concern sexual harassment

Persons age 18 to 19 and 20 to 24 experienced the highest rates of stalking victimization. About 30 per 1,000 persons age 18 to 19 and 28 per 1,000 persons age 20 to 24 were stalked during All 50 states have laws addressing stalking Laws vary as to: Intent of stalker prosecution

Percent of victims AllStalking Harassment Unwanted phone calls and messages 62.5% 66.2% 57.2% Unwanted letters and Spreading rumors Following or spying Showing up at places Waiting for victim Leaving unwanted presents Number of victims 5,857,030 3,424,100 2,432,930 Note: Details sum to more than 100% because multiple responses were permitted. Table replicated from Baum, K., Catalano, S., Rand, M., & Rose, K. (2009). Bureau of justice statistics special report stalking victimization in the United States. U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs

May include actions that are defined as harassment, sexual harassment, and/or stalking Is happening more frequently among the college student population Occurs more via text messaging, facebook and other social networking sites

One major premise with cyberstalking is that to have legal intervention the activities must be what a reasonable person would fear. There is no standard definition or chart regarding what a reasonable person would fear.

Dr. Stimpson has more than 10 years of experience in various areas of higher education including student activities, orientation, judicial affairs, academic affairs, research, and grants. She has authored several journal articles and a book chapter. She received the Research and Scholarship Award from ACPAs Standing Committee for Women in She is currently a consultant for NASCAP and teaches Women's Studies for Alamance Community College. She holds a Ph.D. in Educational Leadership & Policy Studies from Virginia Tech, a M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction from UNC Greensboro, and a B.A. in English from Elon University. Racheal Stimpson