Cyberstalking

What is cyberstalking ?

The first question we have to make is: what is stalking? Stalking is a form of violence characterized, for example, by repeatedly phone calls, strange messages, someone (normally a man) waiting around a woman at her work, home.... Its a large concept basically defined as all type of surveillance and violation of privacy. 

Cyberstalking is a form of stalking but using cyber tools. Normally is the persecution and violation of privacy by internet, facebook, emails...

According to a european study on violence against women ("Violence Against Women: an EU-wide survey", 2004, fra.europa.eu):

- "...in the European Union 18% of women have experienced stalking ..."; "...One in five victims of stalking (23%) has had to change her phone number or email ...".

This is violence against women. Many women don´t know the agent of the crime. So, any women despite of their ability to chose the best friends, parterns or relationships can be victims. But there are ways to help avoid, prevent and resolve the situation. 

The first step is having the information that this type of actions are violence. Then they can get all the legal support the law (criminal) can give to them. 

Are Institutions prepared to deal with these situations? Depends on the country´s laws. Many don´t have specific laws on stalking. But they have general laws that can protect women. Despite these general law is important to work on the creation of new laws addressing stalking because is a specific situation that needs a urgent respond. It can be a matter of safety not only of privacy.

Talking about cyberstalking is a way to alert women for this currently type of violence. They can try to prevent it or take measures to avoid it by , for example, starting to protect their privavy: don´t put to much information, like place of residence, school, phone, emails available for all type of personalities (that in general don´t know very well) about personal issues on facebook or other communication tools. 

Say no to stalking, to cyberstalking and demand new criminal laws on the subject, don´t waite to be a victim to do it. Start today !

Susana Monteiro