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Cyber-Harassment in the Workplace (From Workplace Violence: Issues, Trends, Strategies, P 248-262, 2005, Vaughan Bowie, Bonnie S. Fisher, et al. eds. -- See NCJ-213221)

NCJ Number
213232
Author(s)
Monica T. Whitty; Adrian N. Carr
Date Published
2005
Length
15 pages
Annotation
After defining "cyberstalking" and "cyberterrorism" in the workplace, this chapter suggests ways to counter it.
Abstract
"Stalking" is the "repeated uninvited monitoring and/or intrusion into the life and activities of a victim that is usually, but not always, undertaken for the purpose of frightening or intimidating the victim or those around the victim" (McGrath and Casey (2002). "Cyberstalking" refers to the mechanism of stalking that uses the Internet to obtain information on, monitor, and/or contact the victim. Cyberstalking occurs in the workplace when electronic contact with and harassment of the victim occurs while the victim is at work or when the offender is at his/her workplace. "Cyberterrorism" refers to the use of computers and associated electronic media to commit what some would perceive as terrorist attacks, such as hacking into and disrupting infrastructure operations or security systems, producing serious harm to masses of people. Employees may not only become the targets of cyberstalking and cyberterrorism while they are in the workplace, they may also be perpetrators through the electronic systems of their workplace. The challenge for government, individual employees, and their employers is to define specific behaviors that constitute cyberstalking and cyberterrorism, identify the various methods used to perpetrate these crimes, and then develop countermeasures that will prevent the crime and apprehend the offender. 26 references