Cyberstalking
For January Stalking Awareness Month, 9 Articles About Cyberstalking Every Woman Should Read
January is National Stalking Awareness Month, and this year marks the fifth anniversary of its observance. So why haven’t you heard about it?
Probably because “there is still a widespread lack of information on the crime of stalking. A good number of people still think it is a ‘celebrity issue,’” says one CEO of a national victim’s advocacy group.
According to the Centers for Disease Control, stalking is a very real threat to many normal ‘average’ women:
Data from a 2005 CDC study indicated that approximately 7 million women and 2 million men in the United States had been stalked at some time during their lifetime….often, the stalker is a spouse or partner, ex-spouse, acquaintance, or family member….Stalking…can lead to violence. In an estimated 25%–35% of cases, stalkers commit violence against the persons they are stalking….A 10-city, nationally representative study of female homicide victims conducted in 1999 indicated that 76% of female victims of intimate partner homicides were stalked by their partners before they were killed.
Stalking…can lead to violence. In an estimated 25%–35% of cases, stalkers commit violence against the persons they are stalking….A 10-city, nationally representative study of female homicide victims conducted in 1999 indicated that 76% of female victims of intimate partner homicides were stalked by their partners before they were killed.
A relatively recent development is cyberstalking — a crime so new that few laws are on the books to deal with the destructive activity of its perpetrators.
I thought cyberstalking was restricted to online behavior such as the threatening comments one sees in chat rooms and forums. But cyberstalking expert (and former victim) Alexis A. Moore set the record straight, and explained how any woman can be the target of a cyberstalker and not even own a computer.
To help educate us all about cyberstalking during Stalking Awareness Month, she’s written a series of nine articles that every woman should read. Don’t just skip over this and say, “It could never happen to me.” Moore once thought the same thing, and she had to learn the hard way how very wrong she was.
By Linda Lowen, About.com Guide to Women’s Issues
My daughter has been stalked by her abuser fro 2 yrs. He has stalked her in person out on bond prior to sentencing, from behind bars through the mail and phone, he has stalked her while on parole wearing a GPS via cell phone and now stalks her from in jail via mail while he awaits sentencing for his 3rd and 4th violation of OP. There is a 5th violation also which has occurred over state lines via the mail.
“Where’s the BEEF” in the stalking laws? He hasn’t been charged with stalking. Why not? Do you know of very many stalking cases? Why not?
We need crime prevention laws similar to the drunk driving and new drug courts being established. Women are dying, children are being orphaned or worse murdered with their mothers. We need to use crime prevention tools like GPS monitoring devices.
Domestic Violence is the updated version of slavery, it has to be ABOLISHED!
My daughter’s story of her escape from abuse -
A confession, evidence of the sexual assault and beating allowed the State’s Attorney to charge John with Aggravated Sexual Assault, unlawful restraint and aggravated domestic violence. John Samolis was allowed to plea bargain from felony-aggravated sexual assault down to aggravated domestic violence. He received a sentence of 3 years and 9 months however he has only served 19 months.
He is currently in jail awaiting sentencing for the 3rd and 4th viol of OP. There is now also a 5th viol currently under investigation.
Chicago Tribune compelling coverage:
Link to Video:
http://www.chicagotribune.com/video/?autoStart=true&topVideoCatNo=default&clipId=3121701
Link to story 11/11/2008:
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-regan_tuenov11,0,389866.story
Link to story 12/28/2008:
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-update-abuse-bd-28-dec28,0,6913608.story
Link to story 01/02/2009:
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/chi-0102edit1jan02,0,3080135.story
Please read an entry written about stalking here: http://peace4missing.ning.com/profiles/blogs/stalkingviolencemissing-1
Although I’ve been more involved in missing persons, I’ve seen more cases where there is a direct correlation between stalking, domestic abuse, and missing and murdered spouses.
Whether it be stalking physically or cyberstalking, stalking is a form of abuse, is quite dangerous, and oftentimes leads to more violent behavior.
It is important to have advocates like Alexis A. Moore who have 1st hand knowledge and expertise involved in the legislative process. I admire her courage and hope that more victims of crime will follow her lead and pursue becoming a powerful voice for change. Our nation’s laws in particular those governing the datafurnishing agencies are inadequate. We must continue to combat crimes like cyberstalking,identity theft and stalking and in order to win this fight we need the support of our nation’s leaders including First Lady Michelle Obama.
Alexis Moore of Survivors in Action is a national expert in Cyberstalking and high-tech crimes. These issues are becoming more and more prevalent in domestic violence, where stalkers are using technology to track, terrorize and murder their victims. One such group that can easily abuse technology is law enforcement. When one of power has legal access to operational methods, training and devices, it becomes tempting for police officers to cross the line and stalk their intimate partners, often without getting caught or arrested. As a society, we must realize the vast potential for stalkers of all walks to use the many systems available online for a minimal cost, like gps, voice distorters and caller id spoofing. We must WORK TOWARDS ENDING STALKING WITH TECHNOLOGY. Laws already in place need to be strengthened and then enforced, with stiffer penalties for those who know better.
Susan Rhoades, President of the National Organization on Officer-Involved Domestic Violence and Stalking Survivor
Domestic Violence is the #1 killer of women around the World! Domestic and family violence as well as Stalking have been under reported for the last 2 years. In a report entitled, “The National Crime Victimization Survey” (NCVS) written by the Department of Justice (DOJ), the reports of rape, sexual assault, and domestic violence in the United States have soared over the past two years. The NCVS which is a biannual report, estimated at least 248,300 rapes and sexual assaults occurred in 2007, a 25% increase from 2005 levels. Estimates of domestic violence incidents rose by 42% between 2005 and 2007.
According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, The costs of Intimate Partner Violence exceeds $5.8 Billion each year, $4.1 Billion, of which is for direct medical and mental health services.
Victims of Intimate Partner Violence lost almost 8 million days of paid work because of the violence perpetrated against them by current or former boyfriends, husbands or dates. The lost is the equivalent of more than 32,000 full-time jobs and almost 5.6 million days of household productivity as a result of the violence.
There are 16,800 homicides and $2.2 million medically treated injuries due to intimate partner violence annually, which cost $37 billion.
With every passing year this epidemic gets much worse.
I’ve shared important statistical data with you first because domestic violence has reached epidemic proportions. Almost 1 out of every 2 women will experience domestic and family violence, stalking, cyber-stalking or rape in their lifetime. The numbers are staggering and continue to get worse with each passing day.
My name is Myra Spearman and I am a past victim of domestic violence. For 18 long years, I lived in an abusive marriage; after I left I was stalked relentlessly for 4 years. I lived in fear never knowing when my abuser would make good on his promises to kill me.
In 2007, I created, The Weaker Vessel, Inc. Which is the Nation’s first “On-line Database of Domestic Violence Abusers “. (www.domesticviolencedatabase.org) Now women and men alike can go online to see if they’re dating someone who has been abusive in past relationships. With the member base of on-line social networking sites such as myspace.com and on-line dating services such as match.com reaching the ten million member mark, domestic and family abuse which has already exploded will continue to climb. No one seems to be taking on the cumbersome tasks of making sure their date is who they say they are. More and more people are looking forward, with no regard for the past. Not knowing someone’s past could negatively impact their future.
We have patterned The Weaker Vessel, Inc. after Megan’s Law which is the Sex Offenders Registry. Our site provides a comprehensive overview which contains the conviction records of offender who have been found guilty of domestic abuse, stalking, criminal confinement, intimidation, strangulation, domestic battery etc. We provide this data free of charge and to the general public. Most other sites charge a fee for service or will ask for case numbers. This is what I know, when a new relationship is formed, most individuals will tell you what they want you to know about them. Often times, it is not the truth. Will they ever give you a case number or case details if they were abusive in a past relationship? I think not. That part of their past will stay hidden until it is unleashed on you, at that point you’ve become the next victim.
A new day is dawning in NJ on February 5th when A1563/S1106 the proposed new antistalking legislation will be posted for a final vote in the Assembly. I have struggled with a vengeful stalker for over a decade. In 2006, the new Detective assigned to my case suggested we change the law and with the help of the National Center for Victims of Crime and the local law enforcement, a new law was crafted that will change the criteria for launching an investigation into a stalking from a death threat to “course of conduct/pattern of behavior”. My stalking began in 1997 with someone calling me on the phone at 1AM on Christmas Eve and utilizing the voice changer in the slasher movie “Scream” and reciting the dialogue. I was tracked to DisneyWorld on my birthday and it was once again the voice from the movie “Scream” singing Happy Birthday to me - twice. My car was kicked in and a screw screwed into my tire. My story was used to help pass VAWA II in 2000. I have been “stalked through the courts” having 4 frivolous motions filed against me in the last 15 months, including one on my birthday and another on Christmas Eve. The new legislation will be all encompassing including cyberstalking. Those who stalk and seek to destroy or harm out of obsession or revenge will have jail to look forward to in NJ.
Thank you for putting this information out there and recognizing that there are problems that need attention in our society. I am familiar with Alexis’s work and her knowledge on this particular issue. There are so many issues that need to be brought to light and need attention. Please visit my site at http://www.4survivors.blogspot.com.
Thank you for this opportunity. Here is my story - my DAYmare
MICHELLE WE NEED YOUR HELP!!! PLEASE INVITE US TO THE WHITE SO WE CAN DISCUSS HOW WE CAN START TO PUT AN END TO THE ABUSES OF WOMEN IN AMERICA !!!
written by Mary Badaracco’s daughter, Beth Profeta
My life was shattered 24 years ago. My mom,Mary Badaracco, vanished from her home. Yes I did say 24 YEARS! The last person that saw my mom alive, her husband of 14 years, STILL HAS NO COMMENT! This man, our ex stepfather, TOLD US TO “TELL NO-ONE and DO NOT GO TO THE COPS”. He told us his lawyer would handle it, however…the only thing his lawyer did was slither into court and enter a motion for divorce on the grounds of desertion, only 9 days after mom supposedly disappeared, without reporting her missing. Meanwhile, he already had his mistress moved into my mom’s house.
About 10 days had already passed by the time I was finally told that my mom had supposedly “taken off” on August 20, 1984. I knew right away something was terribly wrong, I knew our mom would have never “taken off”, not after all we’d been through together, ALL THOSE YEARS OF CHAOS AND ABUSE! I was also told her car remained at her home, a smashed windshield was evident, I suppose only to me, that foul play should be suspected as it was in her driveway, very damaged.
So I, (as usual) defied his orders and convinced my sister, who was still in a state of shock from being told the previous week by this ex family that our mom was missing, my only sister,who was told to especially not tell me that our mom was gone.
Why would she comply? I feel she was scared to death that our worst nightmare
had come true! The day had come that they went too far and really hurt our mom! Once I knew, I told my sister that we must run, not walk, to the police!
Throughout our moms 14year marriage to this man, she also raised all 4 of his kids. We were subjected to much domestic abuse from these sickos. By the time mom realized this, she didn’t have a clue how to get away from him! Several times after he’d beat our mom severely we’d flee the home and stay with friends only for him to eventually find us and bring us back to that house, usually by threats and force, or as in one instance, having our Grandma by knife point, while my sis and I could only run and hide under the bed and cry.
Back in the 60’s and 70’s she never reported this to police. Why would she? He is friends with the cops, he still is friends with people in high places, that’s why this case is not solved!
One crucial error the state police made is regarding our moms damaged car. The CSP investigator 1st on scene was “D B’s”(person of interest) buddy. They believed him when he told them “the bitch took off and stole my money, too”. He told one cop that mom broke the windshield of her car that was left at her house, but he was overheard telling another trooper that he did it! Although I kept asking about the car for over 20 years, I insisted the police find this car, I knew it was a key piece of evidence! The police told me to find the VIN number and they would run a search, even though I later found out they, the state police of course, had mom’s license plate number the entire time. ” D B” got rid of her car and was never even questioned about the whereabouts of this car!
We have had our 1st arrest in all these years. A new state trooper has uncovered much information that has been concealed from us. It’s only a misdemeanor charge. I thought it was a start. This man (a relative of “D B” ) is accused of interfering with a homicide investigation.
We believe he buried moms car according to what police learned while interviewing this suspect. A huge excavation took place, 3 cars were recovered, unearthed from this mans backyard, but mom’s car was not found. The suspect was scheduled to be in court Dec 5th to possibly accept a guilty plea and a $250 fine and
wow- that’s it! Why are we sending the message that it’s ok to lie to state police investigators, and you will basically just walk away!
As mom’s belongings were completely removed, not even a link ball remained of her. In her house, the day she “WENT MISSING” in1984, her belongings, as well as her remains, could be in that car! A few weeks back when the prosecutor told me they were just going to plea him out with that fine, I let him know how unhappy I was. I told him “D B” carries that in his left pocket daily, who is that going to hurt?
I then decided I’d go to the court to see this for myself. However, his lawyer felt the need to pull something shady. On the morning of court that month, supposedly the day of this final continuance, after I drove almost an hour, his lawyer called in (after 9:30 am) and said they needed a new date as she has another murder case somewhere else and can not be there to represent him. I was so furious because this attorney had almost 2 months to get her calendar straight! I immediately asked to speak with the judge and my wish was granted, in her open court with the accused to my right!
I suppose I watch too much TV because I thought my request would be a discussion, privately, in chambers! This was one of the hardest things I’d ever done, trying to be mom’s voice in a court of law for the very first time in 24 years, I pleaded with the court to impose the maximum sentence!
I keep hoping and praying that one day, someone with ovaries/testicles will truly hear my story, realizing something must be done, they will stand up beside me and help me fight this evil.
Believe me, if I had ANY money, I would certainly have been paying for justice for my mom. I can only use every fiber of my being to right this wrong. I’ve tried to make this broken justice system work for my mother, my family! Something is seriously wrong when killers are allowed to get away with murder.
In my case, not only do we know in our hearts who killed our mom, but they hid our moms remains somewhere. What kind of a monster does that! He also made my mother quit claim her newly renovated dream home to him for $1 about 6 weeks prior to her disappearance, and he still resides in mom’s house with his mistress, now wife. He took the home out of OUR moms name and gave it to this 3rd wife.
I only want this case solved! The tragedy that happened to my family so long ago threw my sister and I into a state of shock we still feel to this day!
We have been left shattered, still trying to put the pieces of ourselves back together. We thought this was supposed to be moms time for working so hard raising 6 kids and putting up with all the abuse all those years! 6 kids were grown and out of the house, this was supposed to be her time to enjoy life! But mom found out about the affair, and we believe she finally wanted out,like this was the last straw.
This family took everything from us, our childhoods, our mother and even now he takes from my life!
He (and those that keep his secret) also killed a part of me that day too. I have never been the same since my world was shattered in August 1984! My mother was the most beautiful spirit, she was always there helping anyone that needed anything! To further my pain and suffering,authorities made so many mistakes. I’ve pushed and screamed to be my mothers voice all these 24 years and now I’m being told that even this old state police trooper buddy has lawyered up!
We know that there are people within the community, as well as several persons of interest that do have the missing puzzle piece that we need to solve this case. Yet they all lawyer up and it is allowed …
I struggle every day to get out of bed to fight for what’s right ! Until I know exactly what happened to my mom and I know we’ve done everything possible to locate her remains, I will be tortured by this ongoing tragic event that occurred in 1984. I can only best describe this daymare as…my mom cries out to my spirit for help!
I have been a wife and mom of 4 for 27 years. I am busy, but the disappearance and
unsolved homicide of my mother, well, it is just there with me every single day, I feel the loss of her beautiful presence.
I ask why have I been tortured by this for so long? Because my state of CT has allowed this crime to go unsolved all these years. I continue to fight for my mom and those that I didn’t even know, others that are missing. On behalf of my children, my goal is to show my kids, my nephew and my family that justice really does exist,decent people really do care!
Please join me in my quest - please say a prayer that all of our missing loved ones will be returned to us. Pray that our lawmakers will assist us in making tougher laws. If society no longer knows the difference between right and wrong, then it is our obligation to remind them with a few more new laws !
Thank you !
Please feel free to visit this daughter’s promise to her mother…to NOT let people forget!
http://www.marybadaracco.com
Angel Hugz and Blessings!
Beth Profeta
Women need to be aware of their electronic records to protect themselves against cyberstalking AS WELL AS issues such as identiy theft. It is better to be aware to protect against becoming a victim beforehand, rather than after the fact, as it is usually then too late. Once something is online or in electronic format it never goes away.
Ms. Moore’s series of articles on cyber stalking are invaluable and should be mandatory reading for all women!