International law enforcement cooperation and the prosecution of cyber stalkers

The current state of knowledge on cyber stalking in the United Kingdom is reviewed. Cyber stalking connotes stalking activities which are carried out by perpetrators in the virtual world via any aspects of information technology or electronic means resulting in a victim or victims suffering emotional and arguably mental and psychological harm. Building on this knowledge, the methods used by cyber stalkers to harass victims are identified. The effects of cyber stalking on victims are then analysed taking into account recent research findings. Following from this, the prevalence of cyber stalking is examined and the effectiveness of existing legislation is evaluated taking into account the recently introduced laws on face-to-face stalking and cyber stalking. The paper concludes by giving an overview of the challenges faced by law enforcement agencies in the cross jurisdictional prosecution of cyber stalkers