Researchers from the National Centre for Cyberstalking Research based at the University and Bedfordshire Police are collaborating on a two year project to transform how cyberharassment is investigated and how cases which are reported to the Police are appropriately dealt with.

Cyberharassment is the only cyber-crime showing a distinct increasing trend; however it is estimated by the Suzy Lamplugh Trust that only 9% of people who have experienced cyberharassment actually report the crime and then of those that are reported a high percentage of cases fail to lead to a prosecution.

Dr Emma Short, Director, National Centre for Cyberstalking Research said: “The initial work we have done with focus groups supports those figures with many victims not recognising they were subjects of a crime, even when they had to cope with long term abuse and threats.

“Often these threats create fear and distress for the victim with significant disruption to their lives but they don’t report it as a crime until the threats are made in person. We then found their experience of reporting a crime and its outcome varied considerably dependent on the experience the police officer had in dealing with cyberharassment.”

One victim reported how her ex-partner created multiple profiles to maintain the harassment online and manipulated friends to get her contact details. Over time the harassment increased to even calling at her at her place of work.

She explains how working in sales it was difficult to block numbers: “I think one day I had 50 missed calls on my mobile when I was in a meeting and it was just getting ridiculous, it was to the point where I wouldn’t answer my phone unless I was 100% certain I knew the person who was ringing.”

She describes how at work she even had to use a code word with colleagues so that she could avoid speaking to her ex-partner. However it was only when he started turning up at her house that she decided something needed to be done.

She explains: “It’s more of a reality that he was sending me these photos saying he’s coming up and he’s at my house. I was like ‘this needs to stop’; it’s becoming more of a reality.”

Members of the focus groups also described varying experiences in reporting the crime to the Police.

Detective Chief Inspector Chris Beresford of Bedfordshire Police’s Cyber Hub, who is currently overseeing the project, said: “This will by no means be an overnight transformation and the plans are in their very early stages, but we are extremely excited to be at the forefront of a groundbreaking and potentially national framework which we hope will see a rise in positive case outcomes, increased reporting and an improvement in the victim experience.”

The Research Centre is looking for new members of their focus groups to help with the development of the project. This time they are seeking victims of cyberharassment who haven’t reported the crime to the police. People who come forward will have the chance to report the crime and will be given access to vital support from Victim Support whether or not they choose to report it.

Victims can also call the National Stalking Helpline on 0808 8020300 for advice.

If you are interested in finding out more please email nccr@beds.ac.uk

The Cyberharassment Project involves a team of academic researchers from the University working alongside digitally trained police officers. The project aims to provide a technological solution to cyberharassment and will explore the development of a series of investigative, prevention and restorative tools to risk-assess cases and ensure they are appropriately dealt with.