Digital stalking: a guide to technology risks for victims
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For help and information on digital stalking read our Digital stalking: a guide to technology risks for victims.
Digital stalking: a guide to technology risks for victims
Women’s Aid teamed up with national stalking charity Network for Surviving Stalking to launch a practical guide for victims of stalking. ‘Digital stalking: a guide to technology risks for victims’ is an important resource for all stalking victims, including the many survivors of domestic violence who are being stalked by an ex-partner. It explains the wide range of technological risks for those being stalked, including use of Spyware on personal computers, tracking devices on mobile phones and tracking of information through social networking sites.
With over 18% of women and 9% of men experiencing stalking since the age of 16 , stalking affects a wide range of people. However, stalking by ex-partners accounts for the largest group of victims and women are most at risk from physical assault and fatal harm. There are five types of stalkers identified.
The guidelines, which are funded by the Nominet Trust and Avon, contain practical advice on how to reduce the risk of being stalked online. They can also be used for training organisations which deal with stalking and domestic violence cases, including the police and other key agencies.
Download the full guidance below for free, or click on the mini-factsheets for simple hints and tips. (This guide is available as a download only.)
NOTE: The author (Jennifer Perry) of this guidance is continually updating the factsheets. The most up-to-date guidance can always be found here. The below guidance was updated in November 2012.
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Digital stalking: a guide to technology risks for victims (Full guidance including appendices)
Appendix A: Warning signs of a stalker
Appendix B: Key actions to reduce cyberstalking risks
Appendix C: Gathering evidence
Appendix D: Password security tips
Appendix E: E-mail – creating new accounts
Appendix F: Share cautiously
Appendix G: Social networks – safety tips for stalking victims
Appendix H: How to set Facebook’s privacy settings to increase security
Appendix I: Disabling mobile pictures’ geotags
Appendix J: Security tools for victims
Appendix K: Mobile apps to increase security
Appendix L: Setting up two step verification
Appendix M: How to make your Android safe
Appendix N: How to make your iPhone safe
Appendix O: How and what to tell family, friends and colleagues
- Intimacy seeker – imagines fantasies about a relationship
- Incompetent suitors – seek sexual relationships are unattached males, social ineptness exhibits in odd behaviour.
- Rejected – can fluctuate between rejected and resentful and begins with the end of relationship. They initially want to reconcile and then can become resentful often fluctuate between the two. The stalking creates an opportunity for contact and becomes a substitute for the lost relationship
- Predator – preamble to a sexual attack – sadist that get gratification from intrusive observation and power
- Resentful – passed over for promotion or could be legitimate – discriminated against but feel they have no power or recourse. Desired by motivation for retribution and sustained by the feeling of power and control for once.
Source: Stalkers and their Victims, Mullen Pathe and Purcel
