CYBERSTALKING AND DOMESTIC VIOLENCE HOW TO SPOT IT, STOP IT AND LEARN FROM IT A technologically‐based “attack” specifically targeting an individual for the reasons of anger, revenge or control using… harassment embarrassment humiliation economic control or ruin isolation intimidation …affecting the victim, family, friends and employers. DOMESTIC VIOLENCE  One out of four women will experience domestic      violence in their lifetime. An estimated 1.3 million women are victims of physical assault by an intimate partner each year. Of all domestic violence victims, 85% are women. Females are most often victimized by someone they know. The greatest risk of nonfatal intimate partner violence are females 20‐24 years of age. Almost one‐third of female homicide victims that are reported in police records are killed by an intimate partner. Most cases of domestic violence are never reported to the police. THE CYCLE of DOMESTIC VIOLENCE CYBERSTALKING •Over 1,000,000 WOMEN and 370,000 MEN are stalked annually in the United States. •One out of twelve FEMALES and one out of forty‐five MALES will be stalked in their lifetimes. •The average duration of stalking is two years‐‐ and even longer if the stalking involves intimate partners. •Males represent 87% of all stalkers. Research shows a clear link between stalking and intimate partner violence. Nationally studies show that former husbands, boyfriends, or cohabitating partners perpetrate a majority of the stalking incidents against females.       Phones (landlines and cell)/Caller ID and fax machines Surveillance and hidden cameras Security systems Computer monitoring programs Global positioning/tracking devices Answering machines/voice mail  Online databases/electronic records  Web search engines and social networking sites  Hidden recording devices How does a cyberstalker do it?  Invade the victim’s privacy by using hidden cameras and recording devices.  Install global positioning systems to track their victim's real‐time location with extraordinary accuracy.  Inundate the victim with hundreds of calls and messages in a single day.  Access online databases, electronic records, and web search engines to access the victims private information.  Target victims through social media networking, like Facebook and Twitter, to spread lies, or disclose private information. Shelters screen and admit victims according to guidelines: MENTAL HEALTH TYPE OF ABUSE EXPERIENCED  Number of times sheltered  Relationship to “local”      official(s) Victim believability Reputation or “history” Discredited family name No shelter available or everyone knows where it is Lack of funding or no room Because cyberstalking does not involve physical contact—it creates the illusion—that it is more benign than physical stalking. Stalkers ‐ online or off ‐ are motivated by a desire to exert control over their victims… and engage in similar types of behavior to accomplish this end. "Make no mistake: this kind of harassment can be as frightening and as real as being followed and watched in your neighborhood or in your home." Vice President Al Gore Similarities     The majority of cases involve stalking by former intimates. Occasionally “stranger stalking” occurs for both kinds of stalkers. Most victims are women and most stalkers are men. Stalkers are generally motivated by the desire to control the victim. Differences    Most physical stalkers live in the same geographic area as the victims. Cyberstalkers can be located across the street or across the country. It is easier for a cyberstalker to encourage third parties to harass and/or threaten a victim.  Electronic communications technologies means a cyberstalker does not need to physically confront the victim. leading to varying levels of response between agencies.  Law enforcement agencies lack the training to recognize/investigate the seriousness of cyberstalking.  Jurisdictional and statutory limitations create frustrating roadblocks.  The majority of cyberstalking victims do not report the “attacks’’ to law enforcement.  Some law enforcement agencies advise victims to “go home and come back” if the cyberstalkers physically confront or threaten them offline.  Law Enforcement has dismissed victims with the advice to ”simply turn off their computers.” VICTIMS NEED LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES TO BE TRAINED and WILLING TO HELP. Anxiety Fear Nightmares Disbelief Helplessness Depression Shock Hyper‐vigilance High stress levels Physical body pain reaction Changes in eating Changes in sleeping patterns Feeling of out‐of‐control Lose sense of personal safety Fear the stalking will not stop Having to move or relocate Losing time from work Possibility of being fired Having to quit their job WHAT CAN A VICTIM DO… Telephones:  Screen calls, document all harassment, and use Caller ID to block calls.  Turn phone off to increase location privacy.  Use a donated cell phone or purchase a new cell phone with a different number or service provider.  Don’t answer “unknown” numbers. Location and Surveillance:  Trust instincts if they suspect they are being followed.  Search car or belongings for a GPS device  Search for small holes, unidentifiable wiring and objects that could hold a hidden device. Computers:  Use a safer computer with good security.  Don’t leave computer or web camera or Skype open on your computer.  Don’t open any emails or attachments from unknown sources.  Ask where personal information is stored. Most government entities publish records on the Internet. Request to have records sealed or restricted  Address confidentiality programs. FROM: D TO: SIA Email: [email protected] I am a sexual assault survivor that has been in hiding for over the past year. I have been with friends moving around trying to keep safe until the trial. I testified in May and the case has been continued until August. I am trying to find employment and hopefully I will qualify for some rental assistance. I want to work with victims/survivors in some capacity. Would anyone be able to assist me with any referrals or information. I am currently in the Chicago area. I am trying to regain control of my life and start living again, but seem to be having difficulty. I want my life back, friends are great but I really my life. Thank you I appreciate any assistance. D From: Alexis A Moore <[email protected]> To: 'Survivors in Action' <[email protected]> Cc: [email protected]; [email protected] Sent: Monday, July 25, 2011 10:02 AM Subject: RE: Contact Form Submission from D Hi D, Glad you reached out to SIA. Copied are Ms. Maria DiBari founder of Tri‐County Crisis Center in New York and Courtney Creedon a victim advocate. We are going to work together to address your needs and help you. If you would please take a moment and answer the following questions we can get to work helping you. I have contacts in IL and will do my best to ensure you connect with one Jennifer B. Jenkins and the organization Illinois Victims. http://www.illinoisvictims.org/ is an excellent resource for you in Illinois . They do a lot to provide support to victims and have many contacts. I will stay on your case indefinitely and work with you one on one. Who is helping you with the privacy protection and safety planning? Have you applied for crime victims compensation in Illinois?‐These programs offer housing assistance, monies for counseling and other medical services. Here is the link to crime victims compensation http://www.ag.state.il.us/victims/cvc.html Have you applied yet for state disability benefits? State disability may be granted to victims by their medical doctors, counselors (LCSW or MD) and it pays for up to 1 year. As soon as you answer these questions I will circle back to you. FROM: SIA TO: VSP CC: MS. D. Hello: Jennifer Jenkins is mutual contact of ours. Copied is Ms. D. She is a victim in a felony SA case and is in the Chicago area. The perpetrator has gang affiliations so there is a need for emergency relocation and safety planning. The case is pending in the courts and the next court date is in August 2011. Ms. D needs the following help: 1) Pushing her claim through crime victims comp for emergency relocation. 2) Id Change/Safety planning support. (The perpetrator has gang affiliations.) She has already reached out too: 1) Victim Witness 2)Chicago Coalition Against SA F FROM: D SENT: Monday, July 25, 2011 8:17 AM TO: Alexis A Moore, SIA SUBJECT: Re: Contact Form Submission from D It took four months to get a copy of the bond conditions from the state attorney. I have been told I wasn't eligible for any assistance from victim/witness assistance. I have been in hiding for the past year, I was told not to have anything in my name so I won’t be found. He has been charged as a class x felon facing 5 felony charges, I know that he has an association with a gang but can’t get any further information or assistance. I do have assistance from the Chicago Coalition Against Sexual Exploitation, and a court advocate with Rape Victim Advocates. My application for crime victim compensation is with the judge. I testified in May, I know he is nervous and desperate, but I need my life back. Everything I have tried to do‐‐either I was told I don't qualify or there is no assistance for single women. FROM: VSP SENT: Monday, July 25, 2011 8:56 AM TO: Alexis A Moore SUBJECT: D If D is in Chicago, the victim comp program is in Chicago. She should be linked to the individuals there who could assist her right away 1‐800‐228‐3368. My job here is to provide the victim with the information and assist in witness coordination. I have no power to push a claim thru as it is handled in the Attorney General's office in Chicago. Is the case coming up in Rock Island? What is the case number and who is the Attorney assigned to the case? What is it she is needing from me right away? I'm not sure if the program does name changes etc. Mind you they do reimbursement, I've never known the program to have emergency funds. The state of Illinois is in debt. I don't know any program in this area with emergency funds to aide in relocation and name change. Helping a victim make their way through the roadblocks, hurdles and bureaucratic red tape. ALEXIS MOORE Ms. Moore is an internationally recognized expert in the areas of: cyberstalking traditional stalking  identity theft id theft as abuse credit & collections risk management high‐tech investigations  violence against women  privacy protection Survivors in Action (SIA) is a non‐profit, national advocacy group that supports victims and the families of victims of any crime, including domestic violence, identity theft, elder abuse, cyberstalking, stalking, child abuse, rape, and sexual assault.