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Date: April 16, 2024 Tue
Time: 6:59 am
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Results for cyberstalking
5 results foundAuthor: Reyns, Bradford W. Title: Being Pursued Online: Extent and Nature of Cyberstalking Victimization from a Lifestyle/Routine Activities Perspective Summary: The field of stalking has experienced a great deal of growth and refinement over the last decade, but its online counterpart is still little understood. The study of cyberstalking has been challenged by conceptual issues (e.g., defining cyberstalking), a lack of data, and other methodological concerns (e.g., small sample sizes, obtaining sampling frames). The extent of cyberstalking victimization is not currently known, but estimates range from 3.7% to 31% of study participants in the few studies that have attempted to estimate its scope. However, because of definitional inconsistencies and methodological deficiencies in past work, comparisons across studies are difficult. The issue is further complicated by studies that have measured cyberstalking as method of pursuit for spatial stalkers. The current study is an attempt to build upon and overcome the shortcomings of past work in the area. Accordingly, the purpose of this dissertation is threefold: (1) to estimate the extent of cyberstalking among a sample of undergraduate students at a large urban university in the Midwest, using a definition of cyberstalking based on legal statutes and previous research; (2) to utilize the lifestyle/routine activities theory perspective to better understand correlates of victimization; and (3) to determine whether this theoretical framework can be used to explain victimization in cyberspace. Findings indicate that the number of online social networks an individual owns, the number of daily updates to those networks, use of AOL Instant Messenger (AOL IM), allowing strangers to access personal information online (e.g., adding strangers as friends to social networking sites), using online services designed to monitor online network activity (i.e., profile trackers), engaging in online deviance, and low self-control are significant predictors of cyberstalking victimization, suggesting moderate support for lifestyle/routine activities theory in explaining cyberstalking. Possible methods for preventing cyberstalking are discussed. Details: Cincinnati, OH: University of Cincinnati, School of Criminal Justice, 2010. 186p. Source: Internet Resource: Dissertation: Accessed July 1, 2011 at: http://www.cech.uc.edu/criminaljustice/files/2010/05/reyns_dissertation.pdf Year: 2010 Country: United States URL: http://www.cech.uc.edu/criminaljustice/files/2010/05/reyns_dissertation.pdf Shelf Number: 121932 Keywords: Computer CrimesCyberstalkingHarassmentInternet CrimesStalkingVictimization |
Author: Truman, Jennifer Lynn Title: Examining Intimate Partner Stalking and Use of Technology in Stalking Victimization Summary: This research was designed to expand the empirical knowledge and understanding of stalking victimization by examining both intimate and nonintimate stalking and the use of technology to stalk. To accomplish this, the current research examined differences among intimate and nonintimate stalking, stalking types (cyberstalking, stalking with technology, and traditional stalking), and stalking types by the victim-offender relationship. Specifically, this research examined demographic differences, differences in severity, seriousness, victim reactions and responses to and effects of stalking. Findings revealed that overall intimate partner stalking victims experienced greater levels of seriousness and severity of stalking, and expressed more fear than nonintimate partner stalking victims. Additionally, they were more likely to have engaged in self-protective or help-seeking actions. With regard to stalking type, victims who were cyberstalked and stalked with technology experienced a greater variety of stalking behaviors, were more likely to define the behaviors as stalking, and took more actions to protect themselves than victims who were traditionally stalked. Moreover, those who were stalked with technology experienced a greater severity of stalking. And when examining differences among stalking types by the victim-offender relationship, intimate partner stalking victims were still more likely than nonintimate partner stalking victims to have experienced a greater severity of stalking. This research contributed to existing research by being the first to examine cyberstalking and stalking with technology with a national dataset, and adding to the knowledge of differences between intimate and nonintimate partner stalking. Implications for policy and for research are discussed. Details: Orlando, FL: Department of Sociology, University of Central Florida, 2010. 241p. Source: Internet Resource: Dissertation: Accessed September, 1, 2011 at: http://etd.fcla.edu/CF/CFE0003022/Truman_Jennifer_L_201005_PhD.pdf Year: 2010 Country: United States URL: http://etd.fcla.edu/CF/CFE0003022/Truman_Jennifer_L_201005_PhD.pdf Shelf Number: 122583 Keywords: CybercrimeCyberstalkingIntimate Partner ViolenceStalking |
Author: Klein, Andrew Title: An Exploratory Study of Juvenile Orders of Protection as a Remedy for Dating Violence Summary: An increasing number of states, like New York, are expanding order of protection (OP) laws to allow teens to secure orders for dating violence without parental involvement. New York did so effective July, 2008. While there has been extensive research in regard to civil OPs involving adults for intimate partner violence, this study of all OPs taken out by New York dating violence victims in 2009 and 2010 represents the first of its kind to examine OPs involving teens for dating violence. The goal of this research is to increase our understanding of OPs by teens as a remedy for dating violence by developing a comprehensive portrait of their use in New York State. The study is both quantitative and qualitative. The quantitative portion of the study features secondary data analysis of multiple data sets, including all appropriate OPs obtained from New York Family Courts and criminal histories and police incident files from the State's Division of Criminal Justice Services. The qualitative research is based on focus groups and individual interviews with two populations of youth: 1) a statewide sample (N=122), both boys and girls, likely to be dating and exposed to dating violence but who had not necessarily used OPs (At Risk Group) and 2) a small sample of New York City young women (N=13) who have sought and/or secured Civil Orders of Protection (User Group). We find the New York law to be very much a work in progress. Even the lowest estimates of teen dating violence (9.4% physical abuse, CDC, 2012), far exceed the number of OPs (1,200) requested for dating violence in the two years of study. As the At Risk teen focus groups reveals, teens are unfamiliar with the expanded law. In addition, the User group reports substantial barriers facing teens in obtaining orders, including being labeled as "snitches" by their peers, fears that OPs would not work, and ambivalence about giving up on the abusive relationship. The data reveals that more than 90% of the petitioners were female and respondents male. While all of the victims were teens, most of the abusers were not, averaging just short of 21 years old. The majority of respondents had prior criminal histories. Most victims alleged harassment, including cyberstalking, and assaults. The relatively few female respondents more closely resembled female petitioners, than male respondents, being younger and less likely to have prior arrest histories. Police were involved in only 10 percent of the incidents that prompted the study petitions. While the majority of the teen petitioners returned to court more than once, most received only one or two temporary orders, lasting a month or so. Likely as a result of this limited duration, few respondents were charged with violating the orders. However, analysis of arrest and police incident reports, as well as new petitions taken out by study petitioners, indicated that a little more than a quarter of the respondents re-abused their victims from one to three years after the initial petition. Risk for re-abuse was associated with gender (being male), respondents having a prior criminal history, respondents being year or more older than their victims, and couples with children in common. The research suggests OPs potentially constitute an important tool for teen victims. However, given lack of police involvement, without an alternative network of supportive adults, including parents and school personnel, the expanded use of OPs for teen dating violence will remain limited. New York courts also face a challenge in accommodating teen petitioners. Details: Report to the U.S. Department of Justice, 2013. 172p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed May 26, 2015 at: https://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/nij/grants/242131.pdf Year: 2013 Country: United States URL: https://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/nij/grants/242131.pdf Shelf Number: 129682 Keywords: CybercrimesCyberstalkingDating ViolenceOrders of ProtectionRestraining Orders |
Author: Lenhart, Amanda Title: Online Harassment, Digital Abuse, and Cyberstalking in America Summary: The internet and digital tools play an increasingly central role in how Americans engage with their communities: How they find and share information; how they connect with their friends, family, and professional networks; how they entertain themselves; how they seek answers to sensitive questions; how they learn about—and access— the world around them. The internet is built on the ideal of the free flow of information, but it is also built on the ideal of free-flowing discourse. However, one persistent challenge to this ideal has been online harassment and abuse—unwanted contact that is used to create an intimidating, annoying, frightening, or even hostile environment for the victim and that uses digital means to reach the target. As with their traditional expressions, online harassment and abuse can affect many aspects of our digital lives. Even those who do not experience online harassment directly can see it and respond to its effects; even the threat of harassment can suppress the voices of many of our citizens. In order to explore these issues and the ways that online environments affect our experiences online, this report examines American teens’ and adults’ experiences with witnessing, experiencing, and responding to the aftermath of online harassment and abuse. Its findings are based on the results of a nationally representative survey of 3,002 Americans 15 and older conducted from May 17th through July 31st, 2016. Respondents were contacted by landline and cell phone, and interviews were conducted in English and Spanish. 47% of internet users have experienced online harassment or abuse In order to examine the types of harassment and abuse that Americans have personally experienced, we asked internet users about 20 harassing behaviors over the course of the survey. Overall, almost half (47%) of Americans have personally experienced one of the harassing behaviors we asked about. The types of harassing behaviors we studied fall into three broad categories: • Direct harassment refers to things that people do directly to one another. Examples include: being called offensive names, being threatened physically, and being stalked. 36% of internet users have experienced this type of harassment. • Invasion of privacy refers to harms done to the victim through the unauthorized access to and exposure or spreading of information beyond the owner’s control. Experiences include: being hacked, having information about or images of the person exposed online without their permission, being impersonated, being monitored, and being tracked online. 30% of internet users have experienced this type of harassment. • Denial of access occurs when someone uses the features of the technology or platform to harm the victim, usually by preventing access to essential digital tools or platforms. Examples include: sending a very large number of unwanted messages, rendering the account unusable; misuse of reporting tools so that the person is blocked from using a platform; and technical attacks that overwhelm a device, site, server or platform and prevent access to it. 17% of internet users have experienced this type of harassment. Overall, almost three-quarters (72%) of American internet users have witnessed online harassment or abuse, and almost half (47%) of Americans have personally experienced one of the harassing behaviors we asked about. Men and women are equally likely to face harassment, but women experience a wider variety of online abuse, including more serious violations. Young people and sexual minorities are also more likely to experience online harassment or abuse—and more likely to be affected by it A common theme throughout our findings is that young people under age 30 and sexual minorities (respondents who identified as lesbian, gay, or bisexual) were generally more likely to witness and/or experience online harassment or abuse. Black, sexual minority, and young Americans—especially young women— are also less likely than others to say that people are mostly kind to each other online, and more likely to say they self-censor what they post online in order to avoid harassment. Men are substantially less likely than women to describe what they experienced as harassment Internet users who have experienced harassing behaviors differ as to whether they think their experience constitutes ‘harassment’ or not. We found that women who have experienced the behaviors we asked about were substantially more likely than men who have experienced the same behaviors to say that they thought their experience constituted ‘harassment or abuse’ (53% of women who experienced harassing behaviors vs. 40% of men). Some behaviors were also more consistently considered ‘harassment’ by their targets. For instance, more than eight in ten people who experienced cyberstalking, sexual harassment, or persistent harassment agreed that their experiences constituted ‘online harassment or abuse,’ while fewer than six in ten people who experienced offensive name-calling said the same. Women were more likely than men to be angry, worried, or scared as a result of online harassment and abuse Among those who did say that what they experienced was online harassment and abuse, women were almost three times as likely as men to say the harassment made them feel scared, and twice as likely to say the harassment made them feel worried. Meanwhile, men who said they had been harassed were more likely than women to say they were ‘not bothered’ by the experience. However, almost all of those who were ‘not bothered’ also reported feeling another emotion (annoyed, worried, etc.) as well. 27% of all American internet users self-censor their online postings out of fear of online harassment More than a quarter of Americans (27%) say they have at some point decided not to post something online for fear of attracting harassment. While many internet users who have not encountered harassment still say they have self-censored to avoid potential harassment, people who have seen or experienced harassment online are much more likely to self-censor for this reason than those who have not. Looking at men and women of different age groups, we find that younger women are most likely to self-censor to avoid potential online harassment: 41% of women ages 15 to 29 self-censor, compared with 33% of men of the same age group and 24% of internet users ages 30 and older (men and women). Details: New York: Data & Society Research Institute; Clemente, CA: Center for Innovative Public Health Research, 2016. 59p. Source: Internet Resource: Report 11.21.16: Accessed March 3, 2017 at: https://www.datasociety.net/pubs/oh/Online_Harassment_2016.pdf Year: 2016 Country: United States URL: https://www.datasociety.net/pubs/oh/Online_Harassment_2016.pdf Shelf Number: 141322 Keywords: Computer CrimesCyberstalkingOnline CommunicationsOnline HarassmentOnline victimizationSocial Media |
Author: Hango, Darcy Title: Cyberbullying and cyberstalking among Internet users aged 15 to 29 in Canada Summary: Based on data from the 2014 General Social Survey, this article examines the characteristics associated with being a victim of cyberbullying or cyberstalking within the last five years for the population aged 15 to 29. This article also examines the association between cyberbullying and cyberstalking and various indicators of trust, personal behaviour and mental health. - In 2014, about 17% of the population aged 15 to 29 (representing about 1.1 million people) that accessed the Internet at some point between 2009 and 2014 reported they had experienced cyberbullying or cyberstalking. - Of those who experienced cyberbullying or cyberstalking, 36% reported that they had experienced cyberbullying but not cyberstalking, 33% reported that they experienced cyberstalking but not cyberbullying, and 31% reported experiencing both. - Sociodemographic factors associated with cyberbullying and cyberstalking are not necessarily the same. Cyberbullying was more prevalent in younger age groups and within the homosexual/bisexual population, while cyberstalking was more prevalent among the single, never married population and among women. - Young Canadians with a past experience of victimization were significantly more likely to experience cyberbullying and cyberstalking. For instance, 31% of those who were physically or sexually assaulted before the age of 15 experienced either cyberstalking or cyberbullying, compared with 13% of those who did not report an experience of assault. - Cyberbullying is associated with the presence of an emotional, psychological or mental health condition, mistrust of people and marijuana use, while cyberstalking is associated with taking measures to protect oneself from crime. Details: Ottawa: Statistics Canada, 2016. 17p. Source: Internet Resource: Insights on Canadian Society: Accessed October 7, 2017 at: http://www.statcan.gc.ca/pub/75-006-x/2016001/article/14693-eng.pdf Year: 2016 Country: Canada URL: http://www.statcan.gc.ca/pub/75-006-x/2016001/article/14693-eng.pdf Shelf Number: 147605 Keywords: Cyberbullying Cybercrime CyberstalkingInternet Crime Online Victimization Social Media |