What Should I Do If I Am Cyberstalked?

Law enforcement officials suggest that victims save all unaltered and unedited communication from the perpetrator that could be used as evidence (Petrocelli, 2005).  Establishing a pattern is very important in the investigation and prosecution process.  People can do this by taking screen shots of communication that occurs on social networking sites.  This can be done by pushing the “PrtSc” button on the keyboard.  In order to paste the screen shot, people can open “paint” and select the “paste” button. 


The "PrtSc" button is very effective.  You try it now.  For this demonstration, we will take a screenshot of the google homepage.  


 1) Go to www.google.com


2) Hit the print screen button located on the row where the function keys are located.  The button should say "PrtSc." That is the print screen button.  Click it.  


3) Open paint.  


4) Select paste. 


5) When you are done, it should look like this: 

                                        (This is a screenshot of the google homepage)




You should save and archive any instance of cyberstalking communication that occurs so that there is evidence that the communication actually occurred.  I recommend that people save the communication with the date in which it occurred so law enforcement officials know when it occurred.


References


Petrocelli, J. (2005). Cyber stalking. Law & Order, 53(12), 56-58.