NCJ Number
189254
Journal
Security Journal Volume: 14 Issue: 2 Dated: 2001 Pages: 11-27
Date Published
2001
Length
17 pages
Annotation
Cyberaggression poses new challenges to the safety and security of female Internet users.
Abstract
Over the last 10 years, the Internet has developed into an international medium for communicating in a relatively anonymous environment-–cyberspace. The first generation of cyberaggression researchers has shown that the Internet is being used in different forms to harass, insult, threaten, and stalk a significant number of female Internet users. The United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and South Africa have developed anti-cyberaggression legislation, expanding current stalking and harassment laws to include threats made via the Internet. However, these legal efforts have not deterred those who harass and stalk women on line, in part because jurisdictional issues compromise the effectiveness of this legislation. Due to lack of resources, jurisdictional limitations, and the anonymity available when using the Internet, law enforcement agencies’ ability to effectively respond to cases is severely limited. The development of specialized law enforcement units devoted to cyberaggression crimes may be one way to overcome these limitations. The computer industry response to cyberaggression has been more heavily focused on prevention. Internet service providers (ISPs) have developed means of educating users in how to minimize victimization risks on the Internet, mostly targeting children. Educational efforts aimed at adults target issues of theft or fraud on the Internet rather than cyberharassment or cyberstalking. ISPs provide web sites for users to file complaints if they are victims of cyberaggression. There has been little contact between computer industry representatives and U.S. law enforcement officers in confronting this problem. Advocacy groups for victims/survivors of cyberaggression have developed online sites to provide information and empower users with the tools to protect themselves. Basic research is still needed to understand the form, frequency, and context in which cyberaggression occurs. 85 notes.