Cyberstalking 'now more common' than face-to-face stalking
This new article is written on 8 April, 2011 by Karen McVeigh which is about Cyberstalking is now more common than physical harassment, according to new figures due to be released next week, with many victims finding themselves pursued by complete strangers online. It focus on social network sites email and mobile phones, has revealed the profile of perpetrators to be radically different from those who pursue victims face-to-face. Another major finding was that nearly 40% of cyberstalking victims are men. Past studies have identified women as much more at risk from face-to-face stalking. And for the age, 20-39 is more likely to be harassed since they have always touched with social network sites.
Dr Emma, psychologist she claimed Cyberstalking can be threats to kill, victims afraid to lose reputation and people being compromised by false allegations. For women the fear is of physical violence to themselves and then to their families or children. For men, they are afraid of damage to their reputation.So, cyberstalking is legal or illegal? The article point out that The Protection from Harassment Act 1997, the law most used to deal with stalking, has not been updated since the explosion of social media, and does not include online stalking. Most victims reported that they were unable to get the police to take it seriously; that police found it extremely difficult to gather evidence or were met with a lack of understanding of how best to use the law.
In my opinion, Cyberstalking in UK is become serious but no one can control. The UK government should have a deep consider about Cyberstalking. Back to Hong Kong, it seems that Cyberstalking is not too serious, but in fact some forums like “Golden”, I think is a “platform” for Cyberstalking. They can expose other information very quickly as they can. And, should government to play a role in control Cyberstalking?
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