NCJ Number
214537
Journal
Law Enforcement Technology Volume: 33 Issue: 4 Dated: April 2006 Pages: 18,20-22,24,25
Date Published
April 2006
Length
6 pages
Annotation
This article describes the prevention and investigation of cyber stalking and cyber bullying.
Abstract
Training, education, and a willingness to collaborate are described as the key to preventing and solving cases of cyber bullying and cyber stalking. Awareness about cyber harassment is slowly growing among law enforcement communities as more complaints are made to local police departments. The limitations of the police response to cyber bullying are discussed and include a lack of human, technological, and budgetary resources. The solution lies in training and education for police officers and public awareness campaigns designed to educate citizens on how to protect themselves while online. Since most victims and perpetrators of cyber bullying are youths, school-based prevention campaigns are especially important. One of the main challenges police face in responding to cyber bullying is that it may not even constitute a specific crime, since freedom of speech is a first amendment right. In some cases, police departments treat cases of cyber harassment in the same fashion as offline harassment cases, by taking a report and having detectives followup on it. This may mean collaborating with a county crime task force when technological assistance becomes necessary. In fact, collaboration is described as the cornerstone to effectively responding to and preventing cyber stalking and cyber bullying. Law enforcement has worked effectively with Internet Service Providers, with parents and schools, and with online groups such as CyberAngels to help stop and prevent cyber stalking. The article concludes with a call to legislators to enact practical laws and enhance penalties for offenders who use the Internet to commit crimes.