Cyberstalking involves online harassment and stalking by an individual, group, or organization. It can include slander, false accusations, libel, and defamation. Cyberstalking might also include identity theft, solicitation for sex, threats, and the collection of information used to harass or threaten.
As the victim of cyberstalking, you know just how disturbing and frightening this behavior is and the damage it causes emotionally, psychologically, and even physically. There is a good chance that you do not know who your cyberstalker is, which increases the level of fear.
As this is a serious and growing problem, most states now have strict laws in place pertaining to stalking, harassment, and slander. In those states, cyberstalking is a criminal offense. The first thing you need to do is contact your local law enforcement, which can start an investigation. However, you should also contact a personal injury attorney for assistance from a legal perspective.
This behavior is a type of mental assault that is repeated, unwanted, and extremely disruptive to your life. Remember, the primary goal of a cyberstalker is to cause fear of physical harm or emotional distress. By hiring an attorney, appropriate recommendations are made based on the findings of your case. This might include taking out a restraining order as well as other actions in seeking prosecution.
Keep in mind that cyberstalking takes on many forms, including:
- Embarrassment, harassment, and humiliation
- Harassment of your family, friends, and even co-workers
- Scare tactics as a means of instilling fear
- Taking money from your bank account or controlling you economically in some way
If you are being cyberstalked, take the situation seriously. Things to look for include repeated false accusations, attempts to collect your personal information, monitoring your activities, ordering products and/or services in your name, arranging to meet you in person, and encouraging other people to harass you. Remember, for millions of people, cyberstalking is the precursor to physical stalking.
Rather than live in fear or feel as if you have lost control, contact the police and hire the best attorney possible. The best way to fight cyberstalkers is through legal action. Often, most cyberstalkers find their victims through search engines and social media sites. Therefore, it is imperative that you keep your personal information private. For sites like Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram, you want to be cautious as to whom you accept as a friend.
Through law enforcement and a powerful attorney, it is possible to prosecute your cyberstalker successfully. Trying to handle the situation on your own will likely make things worse; most cyberstalkers up their game after a victim asks them to stop. In comparison, by allowing your attorney to deal with the issue, there is a much better chance of stopping the cyberstalking permanently.
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