Cyberstalking - 5/5/09

[12:09] Pirate Russell: OK, those that will, please turn off any radars, MystiTools, etc., to help with the Horrendous lag
[12:10] Pirate Russell: Please take all cross talk to IM, and all collar, etc commands to the secondary channels!
[12:10] Pirate Russell: Annndddd I'll wait a second... he he
[12:10] Pirate Russell: WB, Mis T, and welcome Alexxa!
[12:10] ***IM***: Hi ***MM***
[12:11] Pirate Russell: Just getting started
[12:11] ***MM***: :)
[12:11] Pirate Russell: Welcome to House of V's College of Kink! As most of y'all know, My name is Pirate Russell, Head Mistress of the College, and today's instructor. I have been in SL for 3 years, a lesbian Domme, the entire time.
[12:11] Pirate Russell: For any that need to leave early, all transcripts can be found at http://collegeofkink.blogspot.com
[12:11] Pirate Russell: And believe it or not, I'm caught up!
[12:11] ***IM*** claps
[12:11] Pirate Russell: HHiya Kalie, pull up a poseball
[12:12] Pirate Russell: .
[12:12] Pirate Russell: Cyberstalking is the use of the Internet or other electronic means to stalk someone.
[12:13] Pirate Russell: It has been defined as the use of information and communications technology, particularly the Internet, by an individual or group of individuals, to harass another individual, group of individuals, or organization.
[12:13] Pirate Russell: The behavior includes false accusations, monitoring, the transmission of threats, identity theft, damage to data or equipment, the solicitation of minors for sexual purposes, and gathering information for harassment purposes.
[12:13] Pirate Russell: The harassment must be such that a reasonable person, in possession of the same information, would regard it as sufficient to cause another reasonable person distress.
[12:14] Pirate Russell: .
[12:14] Pirate Russell: Stalking is a continuous process, consisting of a series of actions, each of which may be entirely legal in itself. Lambèr Royakkers writes that:
[12:14] Pirate Russell: "Stalking is a form of mental assault, in which the perpetrator repeatedly, unwantedly, and disruptively breaks into the life-world of the victim, with whom he has no relationship (or no longer has),
[12:15] Pirate Russell: with motives that are directly or indirectly traceable to the affective sphere. Moreover, the separated acts that make up the intrusion cannot by themselves cause the mental abuse, but do taken together (cumulative effect)."
[12:15] Pirate Russell: .
[12:15] Pirate Russell: CyberAngels (an arm of Curtis Sliwa's Guardian Angels) has written about how to identify Cyberstalking:
[12:15] Pirate Russell: "When identifying cyberstalking 'in the field,' and particularly when considering whether to report it to any kind of legal authority, the following features or combination of features can be considered to characterize a true stalking situation:
[12:16] Pirate Russell: malice, premeditation, repetition, distress, obsession, vendetta, no legitimate purpose, personally directed, disregarded warnings to stop, harassment, and threats."
[12:16] Pirate Russell: .
[12:17] Pirate Russell: A number of key factors have been identified:
[12:17] Pirate Russell: * False accusations.
[12:17] Pirate Russell: Many cyberstalkers try to damage the reputation of their victim and turn other people against them. They post false information about them on websites. They may set up their own websites, blogs or user pages for this purpose.
[12:18] Pirate Russell: * Attempts to gather information about the victim.
[12:18] Pirate Russell: Cyberstalkers may approach their victim's friends, family and work colleagues to obtain personal information.
[12:18] Pirate Russell: They may advertise for information on the Internet, or hire a private detective. They often will monitor the victim's online activities and attempt to trace their IP address in an effort to gather more information about their victims.
[12:19] Pirate Russell: * Encouraging others to harass the victim.
[12:19] Pirate Russell: Many cyberstalkers try to involve third parties in the harassment. They may claim the victim has harmed the stalker or his/her family in some way, or may post the victim's name and telephone number in order to encourage others to join the pursuit.
[12:19] Pirate Russell: * False victimization.
[12:20] Pirate Russell: The cyberstalker will claim that the victim is harassing him/her. Bocij writes that this phenomenon has been noted in a number of well-known cases.
[12:20] Pirate Russell: * Attacks on data and equipment.
[12:20] Pirate Russell: They may try to damage the victim's computer by sending viruses.
[12:21] Pirate Russell: * Ordering goods and services.
[12:21] Pirate Russell: They order items or subscribe to magazines in the victim's name. These often involve subscriptions to pornography or ordering sex toys then having them delivered to the victim's workplace.
[12:21] Pirate Russell: * Arranging to meet.
[12:21] Pirate Russell: Young people face a particularly high risk of having cyberstalkers try to set up meetings between them.
[12:21] Pirate Russell: .
[12:21] Pirate Russell: Behaviors:
[12:21] Pirate Russell: Cyberstalkers meet or target their victims by using search engines, online forums, bulletin and discussion boards, chat rooms, and more recently, through online communities such as
[12:22] Pirate Russell: MySpace, Facebook, Friendster and Indymedia, a media outlet known for self-publishing.
[12:22] Pirate Russell: They may engage in live chat harassment or flaming or they may send electronic viruses and unsolicited e-mails.
[12:22] Pirate Russell: Victims of cyberstalking may not even know that they are being stalked.
[12:23] Pirate Russell: ***IM*** has no clue she's being cyberstalked
[12:23] Pirate Russell: He he
[12:23] Pirate Russell: Cyberstalkers may research individuals to feed their obsessions and curiosity. Conversely, the acts of cyberstalkers may become more intense, such as repeatedly instant messaging their targets.
[12:23] Pirate Russell: More commonly they will post defamatory or derogatory statements about their stalking target on web pages, message boards and in guest books designed to get a reaction or response from their victim, thereby initiating contact. In some cases, they have be
[12:23] Pirate Russell: .
[12:24] Pirate Russell: When prosecuted, many stalkers have unsuccessfully attempted to justify their behavior ba***ST***on their use of public forums, as oppo***ST***to direct contact.
[12:24] Pirate Russell: Once they get a reaction from the victim, they will typically attempt to track or follow the victim's Internet activity.
[12:24] Pirate Russell: Classic cyberstalking behavior includes the tracing of the victim's IP address in an attempt to verify their home or place of employment.
[12:24] Pirate Russell: .
[12:25] Pirate Russell: Some cyberstalking situations do evolve into physical stalking, and a victim may experience abusive and excessive phone calls, vandalism, threatening or obscene mail, trespassing, and physical assault.
[12:25] Pirate Russell: Moreover, many physical stalkers will use cyberstalking as another method of harassing their victims.
[12:26] Pirate Russell: A 2007 study, led by Paige Padgett from the University of Texas Health Science Center, found that there was a false degree of safety assumed by women looking for love online.
[12:26] Pirate Russell: .
[12:27] Pirate Russell: Potential Effects of Cyberstalking
[12:27] Pirate Russell: Just because cyberstalking does not include physical contact with the perpetrator does not mean it is not as threatening or frightening as any other type of crime.
[12:27] Pirate Russell: Victims of cyberstalking often experience psychological trauma, as well as physical and emotional reactions as a result of their victimization. Some of these effects may include:
[12:27] Pirate Russell: * changes in sleeping and eating patterns
[12:27] Pirate Russell: * nightmares
[12:27] Pirate Russell: * hypervigilance
[12:27] Pirate Russell: * anxiety
[12:28] Pirate Russell: * helplessness
[12:28] Pirate Russell: * fear for safety
[12:28] Pirate Russell: * shock and disbelief
[12:28] Pirate Russell: Victims experiencing these reactions and many others might consider seeking out support from friends, family and victim service professionals in order to cope with the trauma resulting from cyberstalking.
[12:28] Pirate Russell: .
[12:28] Pirate Russell: If you are a Victim of Cyberstalking
[12:28] Pirate Russell: * Victims who are under the age of 18 should tell their parents or another adult they trust about any harassments and/or threats.
[12:28] Pirate Russell: * Experts suggest that in cases where the offender is known, victims should send the stalker a clear written warning.
[12:29] Pirate Russell: Specifically, victims should communicate that the contact is unwanted, and ask the perpetrator to cease sending communications of any kind. Victims should do this only once.
[12:29] Pirate Russell: Then, no matter the response, victims should under no circumstances ever communicate with the stalker again. Victims should save copies of this communication in both electronic and hard copy form.
[12:29] Pirate Russell: * If the harassment continues, the victim may wish to file a complaint with the stalker's Internet service provider, as well as with their own service provider.
[12:29] Pirate Russell: Many Internet service providers offer tools that filter or block communications from specific individuals.
[12:30] Pirate Russell: * As soon as individuals suspect they are victims of online harassment or cyberstalking, they should start collecting all evidence and document all contact made by the stalker.
[12:30] Pirate Russell: Save all e-mail, postings, or other communications in both electronic and hard-copy form. If possible, save all of the header information from e-mails and newsgroup postings. Record the dates and times of any contact with the stalker.
[12:30] Pirate Russell: * Victims may also want to start a log of each communication explaining the situation in more detail. Victims may want to document how the harassment is affecting their lives and what steps they have taken to stop the harassment.
[12:31] Pirate Russell: * Victims may want to file a report with local law enforcement or contact their local prosecutor's office to see what charges, if any, can be pursued.
[12:31] Pirate Russell: Victims should save copies of police reports and record all contact with law enforcement officials and the prosecutor's office.
[12:31] Pirate Russell: * Victims who are being continually haras***ST***may want to consider changing their e-mail address, Internet service provider, a home phone number, and should examine the possibility of using encryption software or privacy protection programs.
[12:31] Pirate Russell: Any local computer store can offer a variety of protective software, options and suggestions. Victims may also want to learn how to use the filtering capabilities of email programs to block e-mails from certain addresses.
[12:32] Pirate Russell: * Furthermore, victims should contact online directory listings such as www.four11.com, www.switchboard.com, and www.whowhere.com to request removal from their directory.
[12:32] ***KA*** grows excited with the thought of being stalked,slender fingers trace over her belly feeling a growing heat start to develope
[12:32] Pirate Russell: OK, those that will, please turn off any radars, MystiTools, etc., to help with the Horrendous lag
[12:32] Pirate Russell: OOPS
[12:33] Pirate Russell: * Finally, under no circumstances should victims agree to meet with the perpetrator face to face to "work it out," or "talk." No contact should ever be made with the stalker. Meeting a stalker in person can be very dangerous
[12:33] Pirate Russell: Cyberstalking legislation in the United States
[12:33] ***KA*** blushes
[12:33] Pirate Russell: The current US Federal Anti-Cyber-Stalking law is found at 47 USC sec. 223.
The first U.S. cyberstalking law went into effect in 1999 in California. Other states include prohibition against cyberstalking in their harassment or stalking legislation.
In Florida, HB 479 was introduced in 2003 to ban cyberstalking. This was signed into law on October 200
[12:34] Pirate Russell: er 2003
[12:34] Pirate Russell: More states in the U.S. have begun to address the issue of cyberstalking.
[12:34] Pirate Russell: Most stalking laws require that the perpetrator make a credible threat of violence against the victim; others include threats against the victim's immediate family;
and still others require the alleged stalker's course of conduct constitute an implied threat.
[12:35] Pirate Russell: While some conduct involving annoying or menacing behavior might fall short of illegal stalking, such behavior may be a prelude to stalking and violence and should be treated seriously.
[12:36] Pirate Russell: Citations: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyberstalking & http://www.ncvc.org/ncvc/main.aspx?dbName=DocumentViewer&DocumentID=32458
[12:36] Pirate Russell: All transcripts can be found at http://collegeofkink.blogspot.com
All classes are posted in Search/Events and look for College.
[12:36] Pirate Russell: Comments?? Questions???
[12:36] Pirate Russell: SpeakEasy HUD detaching...
[12:36] ***CO***: thank you Pirate, very much
[12:37] ***CO***: One addition, please
[12:37] Pirate Russell: Please!
[12:37] ***CO***: In the single communication with the alleged stalker, never make a threat.
[12:38] ***CO***: "if you don't stop, I'll..........."
[12:38] ***CO***: Do it, but never threaten.
[12:38] Pirate Russell: Very good point. It should be to the point, and not threatening
[12:38] ***CO***: Thank you.
[12:38] ***IM*** nods.
[12:39] ***KA*** slowly raises her slender arm," Miss may i ask a question please?"
[12:39] Pirate Russell: Yes, ***KA***?
[12:41] ***KA*** smmiles, " Miss im fairly new and well i've had men wish to contact me right off the bat durning or first incounter what would you suggest would be a good time to take the next step if you found that there was something more between twp ppl and want to take the next step in meeting them in RL, i mean i know its sounds strange but if you find you like someone how can you know they are safe?
[12:42] ***KA***: it seems everyone tries to make themselves out to be so good here
[12:42] Pirate Russell: Well, knowing them a LOT longer than 'right off the bat'. And Communicaiotn.
[12:42] Pirate Russell: er communication
[12:42] ***KA***: just scared miss
[12:43] ***KA***: yes i totally understand, i will continue to come and listen if thats ok
[12:43] Pirate Russell: It's the same as any other online relationship. YOu need time, you need phone, before you meet. I met My RL Hubby on AOHell
[12:43] Pirate Russell: We knew eachother for about a year before we even thought about meeting IRL
[12:44] ***KA*** nods
[12:44] ***CO***: One can never 'know' for absolutely sure.
[12:44] Pirate Russell: A good rule-of-thumb is that if you're being rushed, something's wrong
[12:44] ***CO***: You need to develope trust.
[12:44] ***CO***: And that needs time
[12:44] ***KA***: yes Miss it made me feel very uncomfortable
[12:45] Pirate Russell: Then thell them #%^$ no, and if they can't handle that, move on!
[12:45] ***ST***: Nor can you be absolutely sure about somone you meet int he grocery store, gas station, dry cleaners or bar....you need to feel comfortable is the rule that applies no matter where you meet somone.
[12:46] Pirate Russell: True, Sed, but at least you can see if they brush their teeth, or whatever.
[12:47] ***KA***: lol very true sir
[12:47] ***ST***: that day..chuckles
[12:48] Pirate Russell: I know you're kidding, but that's true, too! But in dating, we're usually on our "best behavior".
[12:48] ***KA***: yes, be good and they think they will score *smiles*
[12:48] ***IM***: Just like in real dating, it may be best to "double date" a few times and have a friend who is aware of the situation.
[12:49] Pirate Russell: And with your friends, not his... ;-)
[12:49] ***IM***: Yikes.
[12:50] ***CO***: And, of course, the purse size bear spray.
[12:50] ***CO***: Never threaten
[12:50] ***CO***: Just use it
[12:50] ***CO***: Only if needed, of course.
[12:50] Pirate Russell: Or a tazer! LOL
[12:52] ***IM***: girl has several friends here in SL who have had to change avatars because of stalking. It seems to be a common problem. Why is it still tolerated at all? And is there anything W/we can do to get people to do something?
[12:52] ***IM***: And none of these people were in BDSM, they were all vanilla.
[12:52] ***CO***: What kind of something?
[12:52] Pirate Russell: Well, you can mute them, you can ban them from your lands
[12:53] ***ST***: isn't muting and removing from contasts list effective ? Ture they can create alts but you can must them as well. Othwise you end up spending a fortune on good skins.
[12:55] ***CO***: Well, you don't hear them, but everyone else does.
[12:55] Pirate Russell: True...
[12:55] ***IM***: Getting law enforcement involved, LL involved in prosecution, ISPs to stop giving access, that sort of stuff.
[12:57] Pirate Russell: It u***ST***to be that Law Enforcement ddint' see stalking as a crime, now they're much better about it
[12:57] Pirate Russell: With identity theft, and 'conventional' stalking, they're beeing dragged kicking and screaming into the 21st Centruy
[12:58] ***IM***: But there are so many different juristictions and local laws. girl has never seen a case resolved, just the victim having to run and hide.
[12:58] ***CO***: If the stalking is happening in SL, and the vicom wants to stay in SL, the choices become limited.
[12:58] ***IM*** nods
[12:58] Pirate Russell: Yes, My jurisdiction, ***IM***'s, the Feds cuz it's interstate, then if it's international...
[12:59] Pirate Russell: (Shhh remember she doesnt' know she's being stalked..... yet)
[12:59] ***CO***: Ah
[12:59] ***CO***: Nice we're having weather
[13:00] ***IM*** wonders about the strange clicks she keeps hearing on the phone, shrugs and continues dialing.
[13:01] Pirate Russell: And all the pinhole cameras you keep finding in the bathroom?
[13:02] ***IM*** shudders
[13:02] Pirate Russell: Anyway...... go to isee***IM***.com
[13:02] ***CO*** grabs for a pencil
[13:02] ***IM*** giggles
[13:02] Pirate Russell: All kidding aside, O/our time's about up, any last questions or comments?
[13:04] Pirate Russell: Ok, everyone that actually that typed in to their browser, has tostrip!
[13:04] Pirate Russell: and... class dismissed!
[13:04] ***HS***: Great class, thank you, Pirate ... got to run tho. Bye all !
[13:04] ***KA***: im assuming it is a fantasy for some to be stalked and or raped if for instance you where to have something happen to you along them lines what would you suggest being you have alot of experiance with many thing wouldbe the best way to deal with such an incounter
[13:04] ***IM***: Bye Miss Hekate
[13:05] ***KA***: en*
[13:05] ***CO***: So long
[13:05] Pirate Russell: Call the police.
[13:05] ***HS***: ㋡
[13:05] Pirate Russell: Dont' shower
[13:05] Pirate Russell: Byeeeee
[13:05] ***HS***: and ... poof!
[13:06] ***KA***: well im reffering to more if you are held at bay and cant , would you let them do what they wish in order to not get hurt or fight?
[13:06] ***KA***: dont shpower , hahah ,ok but then i itch alot
[13:06] ***CO***: ***KA***
[13:07] ***CO***: Can you fight?
[13:07] Pirate Russell: I wouldn't resist , unless I KNEW I could get to My handgun! but I'd get him later
[13:07] ***IM***: Don't shower after an attack so the police can collect evidence from your body.
[13:07] Pirate Russell: Shower after they examine you at the hospital. You can wash away LOTS of evidence
[13:08] ***KA***: well ofcourse i can fight Miss but men are strong ,i suppose if i knew the threat was coming i would arm myself
[13:08] ***IM***: It's probably best to go to a hospital after an attack and let the emergency room call the police.
[13:08] Pirate Russell: Or get to some place SAFE and call the police.
[13:09] ***IM*** nods
[13:09] ***KA***: yes i know all that , i thought maybe you had evidence as to whether the outcome was more favorable one way or the other
[13:09] Pirate Russell: The same as any violent crime
[13:09] Pirate Russell: No, sorry
[13:09] ***KA***: no body wants to be raped if they can prevent it ,geez
[13:10] Pirate Russell: True!
[13:10] ***CO***: What I meant, ***KA***, is to ask can you fight with a reasonable chance at sucess? Do you have experience in martial arts? Hand to hand combat? street fighting?
[13:10] ***CO***: If you do not, don't try to fight
[13:10] ***CO***: Your life is more important
[13:11] ***KA***: no miss, not at all , but ive beem toying with the option of getting handgiun trained, but that frightens me too, but ok class dismis***ST***ty all
[13:13] Pirate Russell: No worries, I have a little time
[13:13] ***CO***: ***KA***
[13:13] ***CO***: Think hard about that
[13:14] ***CO***: fighting must happen instantly
[13:14] ***CO***: Unless one is Doc Holiday, guns take time
[13:14] Pirate Russell: I disagree, ***CO***, if you get an 'opening' at ANYtime, and you think you can handle it, take it!
[13:15] ***CO***: That's exactly what I'm saying
[13:15] ***KA*** shivers feeling the cold breeze rush in through the areana her tender skin peppers with small bumps,nipples turn pebble hard as she brings her arms closer into her body" be well all and thank you Miss pirate" *smiles* *nods to there comments *
[13:15] ***CO***: If you can with a reasonable chance of success
[13:15] ***IM***: If there is a chance that help will come, yelling and screaming and kicking all help, according to what girl has heard.
[13:15] Pirate Russell: Ok, I thought you meant at the beginning of the "encounter" only
[13:16] ***IM***: It might just be enough to get someone to think it's not worth the trouble.
[13:16] Pirate Russell whispers: Oh, don't yell "Rape". Yell "Fire:, more people will come to your aid, believe it or not!
[13:16] Pirate Russell: Oh, don't yell "Rape". Yell "Fire:, more people will come to your aid, believe it or not!
[13:16] ***CO***: Yep
[13:16] ***ST***: police have thier own weapons turned against them them at times..sometimes providing the opertunity of leathal force means it could be u***ST***in unexpected ways.
[13:17] Pirate Russell: And I've heard some folks say to pee or poo on them!
[13:17] ***KA***: ewwwww
[13:17] Pirate Russell: EXACTLY the point, ***KA***. It could turn them off
[13:17] ***KA***: like a golden shower Miss?
[13:17] ***CO***: Well put, Sed
[13:18] ***ST***: My qouestion would be ...if you feel you have to pack a gun..why are you wanting to be alone with that person in the first place?
[13:18] Pirate Russell: That doesn't happen as often as the media leads you to think, though, sed. How many times do we see, in the same media, that an in truder was shot... but NEVER hear that the homeowner was shot with his own gun
[13:19] ***ST***: and if you carry one around all the time - thought metal detectors ....bep beep..strip search time!
[13:19] Pirate Russell has one in her purse most of the time, Sed, with hubby, with strangers, etc
[13:19] ***KA***: no thats not what i meant exactly sir , i meant more along the lines of being attacted by a stranger , ofcourse if i felt a threat to be with someone i wouldnt met them ,silly
[13:19] Pirate Russell: And I don't go a lot of places with dectors
[13:20] Pirate Russell: er detectors
[13:21] ***ST***: in many places there are conceelled hand gun laws to consider. licensing and training...is not a simple answer
[13:21] Pirate Russell: Of course if I am going on plane, or to the courthouse, I leave it home, but I go VERY few places where it would be noticed
[13:21] Pirate Russell is licen***ST***and a US Air Force Veteran
[13:23] ***ST***: that that works for You but not for the generial population across many ares of the world...thats all I am saying
[13:23] ***KA***: me cant help to think what Miss pirate is capable of doing with her knowledge gotta from the air force
[13:24] Pirate Russell is no commando, but knows how to use Her handgun, is all I'm saying
[13:24] ***KA***: and her cuffs im sure*grins*
[13:27] Pirate Russell: Well, I need to get My girl home, The only other class this week is Mine Friday at newn!
[13:27] ***CO***: Thank you Pirate
[13:27] ***CO***: I learned a lot
[13:27] ***KC***: thanks Miss Pirate for another stimulating discussion
[13:27] ***IM***: Thank You, Mistress.
[13:27] ***KA***: thank you Pirate it was a pleasure
[13:28] Pirate Russell: My pleasure, and any that care to tip, please go to the West of Ireland sim, and donate to Project Children
[13:28] ***CO***: Keep good care ***IM***
[13:28] ***CO***: And you Pirate
[13:29] ***KC***: goodbye Miss Pirate, sis
[13:29] Pirate Russell: You as well, Cidni and everyone else
[13:29] Pirate Russell: er ***CO***
[13:29] ***KC***: take care