Investigating Police Responses to Adult Victims of Cyber-Harassment

• In Event: The Intersection between Policing and Victimization

Abstract

James Popham, PhD
Assistant Professor, Wilfrid Laurier University

Andrea Corradi
MA Candidate, Wilfrid Laurier University

The rise of the internet has provided new means for perpetuating deviancies to greater effect and measure. This is exemplified by cyber-harassment, a persistent 21st century phenomenon that has grown in response to the popularization of social media platforms. While the impacts of and responses for youth are generally well-researched, effective policing strategies for adults who are experiencing cyber-harassment are under-explored. The significance of this gap will only become more apparent as the technologically-inclined population ages and exits from traditionally sheltering institutions. The present study used a comparative approach, including literature review and policy analysis, to assess the nature and extent of downstream policing strategies for adult victims of cyber-harassment. Drawing from a Canadian sample of police services, our findings suggest that there is variation in strategy relative to urban/suburban/rural jurisdictions and a lack of clear directive. Further, research suggests that victims prefer anonymous tools for reporting experiences of cyber-harassment. Our presentation concludes with a discussion about developing future downstream intervention tools.

Authors

• James Frederick Popham, Wilfrid Laurier University

• Andrea Corradi, Wilfrid Laurier University