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Description
Stalking is a widespread and serious issue that affects millions of people each year. With the rapid expansion of the Internet and other information and communication technologies, forms of communication have advanced and subsequently have been exploited to facilitate this type of deviant behavior. Despite the growing body of research on stalking, as a relatively recent phenomenon to clinical and academic inquiry, cyberstalking has yet to be sufficiently examined. This study bridges the gap between existing research and the use of new techniques in acts of stalking, while still exploring the general nature of the crime. The purpose of this study is to provide a comprehensive examination of the prevalence and nature of stalking amongst college students and to address the rising concern of the role of social networking sites in the facilitation of stalking. Between January and March 2011, a convenience sample was taken from San Diego State University (SDSU) students and a web-based survey was disseminated, which yielded 623 responses. Results from this study reveal that stalking is a significant issue that students face. More than one out of every six respondents to this survey has been a victim of stalking at some point in their lifetime. Additionally, the outcomes suggest that gender plays a significant role in cyberstalking perpetration. It is also evident that a modern form of stalking has emerged where offenders tend to favor a combination of online and offline approaches in pursuit of their victims. These findings demonstrate that as the separation between the virtual and real worlds is blurred and as new communication and surveillance technologies advance, research must examine these new modalities in order to seek ways to prevent the problem and reduce the harm to its victims.
