Cyberstalking: A New Challenge for Law Enforcement and Industry by the U.S. Attorney General (August 1999)

This paper is one response to Vice President Al Gore's mandate to study the problem of cyberstalking and recommend how to protect society from this threat.

Sections are included on: the definition, nature and extent of cyberstalking; protecting children from on-line dangers; a comparision of online and offline stalking; examples of actual stalking incidents; and evidence that suggests that stalking is a growing problem with some agencies citing that 20% of their annual stalking caseload involved cyberstalking.

The report discusses current efforts to address cyberstalking and highlights law enforcement's response including: the important role of training law enforcement; how some larger metropolitan areas now have special units for cyberstalking; how jurisdictional and statutory limitations restrict some agencies' actions; and how harrassers may exploit annonymity options available on the web. This report highlights the importance of industry's efforts in: educating and protecting customers and cooperating with law enforcement. It also discusses the roles of victim and support organizations, the extent of state and federal laws and first amendment and other legal considerations, and makes recommendations around: legislative issues, law enforcement and criminal justice agencies, the internet and electronic communications industry, and victim service provides and advocates.

Appendices are included on Cyberstalking Resources Online, and "How You Can Protect Against Cyberstalking - And What to Do If You Are a Victim".

• Cyberstalking: A New Challenge for Law Enforcement and Industry