Cyberstalking: An Interview with Jayne Hitchcock

As promised, this month we are discussing cyberstalking with the president of Working to Halt Online Abuse (WHOA), formerly Women Halting Online Abuse, Jayne Hitchcock. Hitchcock is the author of six books with two more in the works: NET CRIMES & MISDEMEANORS (due out in late 2001) and THE GHOSTS OF MARYLAND. She freelances for several publications, online and offline, including Naval History, EON Online, Link-UP, IT Magazine, Computer Gaming World and Pipes & Tobaccos. She is also an assistant instructor for the University of Maryland University College.

Hitchcock's own experience with cyberstalking can be read at http://members.tripod.com/~cyberstalked. I recommend that you read her story! Her experience has led to her appearance on the television show Unsolved Mysteries and led her to becoming an advocate for those who have been cyberstalked.

KT: Jayne, how did you get involved in WHOA?

JH: In January of 1997, Lynda Goodman got in touch with me via e-mail to tell me about her own online harassment story. She mentioned she was thinking of starting a web site for victims to go to, and I encouraged to do it. She made me Media Advisor, so I was on the Board of Directors from the beginning in February 1997. When Lynda e-mailed me in May of 1999 that she was stepping down as President and was thinking of shutting down the site, I got together with the rest of the board and we asked her if we could take WHOA over. She agreed and I became President.

KT: What exactly is cyberstalking?

JH: This is when an online harassment situation gets out of hand and the victim becomes the obsession of the harasser, to the point where the harasser "follows" the victim everywhere online, and can lead to offline stalking.

KT: What can you do if you are cyberstalked?

JH: Make sure it is cyberstalking. Disagreeing with someone is not harassment or stalking. There has to be a pattern to the behavior, several e-mails, constant abuse in chat rooms, etc. Then, if it is (cyberstalking), contact the harasser’s ISP first and try to get them to handle the situation. If that doesn't work, then follow our advice at http://www.haltabuse.org/

KT: What is the mission of WHOA?

JH: We help male and female victims, adults over the age of 18, and try to let the online "world" know that although the web is a fun place, it can be scary, too, just like in real life. We offer support, advice and general information to help people *before* they become victims, and even more information if they do become an online victim. We want people to know that there is somewhere they can go for help - they are not alone.

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