NCJ Number
186157
Date Published
2001
Length
121 pages
Annotation
This report to Congress by the U.S. Justice Department's Violence Against Women Office provides information on strategies that show promise in countering domestic violence and stalking, as well as the development of laws that address stalking.
Abstract
The first chapter discusses "cyberstalking," which is a new challenge for law enforcement. This term is used to refer to the use of the Internet, e-mail, and other electronic communication devices to stalk another person. The chapter addresses the nature and extent of cyberstalking, current efforts to counter it, and the adequacy of existing laws. Recommendations pertain to legislation, law enforcement and criminal justice policies, industry practices, and the efforts of advocacy and victim service providers. The second chapter presents the results of a national survey that focused on law enforcement and prosecution responses to stalking. It also examines the criminal justice system's response to stalking across the country by providing an overview of State laws and case law on stalking. The third chapter considers victim needs, with attention to tactics used by offenders to control victims, dealing with fear, emotional and physiological reactions, the ongoing nature of the crime, secondary victims, costs, professionals who can help, and interventions by the criminal justice system. The two remaining chapters provide an update on State stalking legislation (1998, 1999, and 2000 sessions) and information on Federal prosecutions of stalking and domestic-violence crimes. Appended stalking and related cases and a 400-item bibliography