On 13th November, I presented a talk at a joint Paladin/Collyer-Bristow event. Paladin, the National Stalking Advocacy Service, assists high risk victims of stalking throughout England and Wales. Collyer Bristow’s Cyber Investigation Unit (CIU), which is headed up by partner Rhory Robertson, comprises a dedicated team of lawyers who advise victims of cyberstalking, cyber harassment, cyber bullying and internet trolls/trolling.
The major discussion of this event surrounded the notion of cyberstalking, how it affects victims, and how to combat this increasingly prevalent crime. My talk covered the research we are currently undertaking on the DOOM project, and how networks of abusive individuals can form online, potentially leading to escalation. Other speakers at the event included:
- Nadine Dorries MP, Conservative MP for Mid Bedfordshire, and a cyberstalking target
- Betsy De Thierry, Founder Director of the Trauma Recovery Centre, and a cyberstalking target
- Laura Richards, CEO of Paladin, the National Stalking Advocacy Service
- Steve Slater, Computer Forensics Manager, Devon & Cornwall Police
- Alison Morgan, Barrister at 6KBW
Several points clearly emerged from this event, including the fact that there is much work to be done around stalking and harassment, that victims need to be taken much more seriously, that the correct legislation needs to be applied when prosecuting, and the recognition that online stalking can be just as damaging – if not more so in some cases – as physical, offline stalking.