OVIAR: Towards a Model for Cyberstalking Intervention and Reduction

Despite more than two decades of research, relatively little is known about cyber stalking and similar phenomena. In particular, the existing literature tells us little about how cases unfold, how they can be managed or how we can work towards reduction. This paper presents a model depicting the dynamics and lifecycle of a cyber stalking episode. While primarily concerned with cyberstalking, the model may also be relevant to other forms of victimisation and is accordingly titled the Online Victimisation Intervention & Reduction (OVIAR) Model. Cyberstalking is shown as an iterative cycle made up of discrete stages. It is argued that each stage provides opportunities to deter the cyberstalker allowing the model to offer guidance about which interventions may be effective at a given point in the lifecycle. In proposing the model, the work draws upon a number of areas including information systems, criminology and psychology. A key part of the discussion involves the decision behaviour of the cyberstalker. It is argued that cyberstalking incidents involve a number of decision points that may serve to curtail or escalate the cyberstalker’s activities. The decisions made by the cyberstalker will be influenced by several factors, including the feedback he receives from his actions. Understanding how cyberstalkers make decisions can provide opportunities to prevent discourage further acts of harassment against victims. It may also benefit attempts to reduce or prevent victimisation in the first place. In discussing these areas, we draw upon areas such as rational choice theory, victim coping responses and the notions of intrinsic and extrinsic feedback.The model is intended to be understandable by a wide range of stakeholders, including law enforcement, technology professionals and victims themselves. For those involved in dealing with cyberstalking, it provides a tool that can be used to inform the management of cases. For academics, it is intended to provide a framework for further discussion and research

A review of the use of business simulation to enhance students' employability (WIP)

This paper investigates the potential use of business simulation games in enhancing employability skills of undergraduate business students in UK higher education institutions. It identifies the meaning of employability to different stakeholders in order to generate a list of skills that are considered important to various stakeholders as employers, government and academics. The benefits and learning outcomes as well as perceived limitations of business simulation games are then defined. Employability skills that can be improved using business simulation games and the importance of mapping and testing employability skills developments in simulation business environment are recognised

Corporate Cyberstalking: An Invitation to Build Theory

Cyberstalking describes a relatively new form of stalking behaviour where technology is used as the medium of harassment. The term corporate cyberstalking is often used to describe incidents that involve organisations, such as companies and government departments. This paper uses a number of case studies in order to propose a typology of corporate cyberstalking. It is suggested that incidents involving corporate cyberstalking can be divided into two broad groups, depending on whether or not the organisation acts as a stalker or as a victim. Examining the motivations behind corporate cyberstalking allows these groups to be subdidvided further. The motives behind corporate cyberstalking can range from a desire for revenge against an employer to cyberterrorism. The paper also briefly discusses definitions of stalking and cyberstalking, concluding with a revised definition of cyberstalking that is more in keeping with the material discussed

Victims of cyberstalking: An exploratory study of harassment perpetrated via the Internet

This paper describes the first study to focus exclusively on the prevalence and impact of cyberstalking. A Web-based questionnaire was used to collect data from a group of respondents who were recruited by snowball sampling via e-mail. A total of 169 respondents completed the questionnaire. The results of the study found that approximately a third of respondents might be considered victims of cyberstalking. Furthermore, when asked to indicate the level of distress felt as a result of their experiences, almost a quarter of respondents chose a value of ten on a ten-point scale. The study also suggests a number of differences between cyberstalking and offline stalking, for instance cyberstalking tends to take place over a shorter period of time than offline stalking and cyberstalking victims are less likely to know the identify of their harassers. These differences add weight to the argument that cyberstalking should be seen as a new form of deviant behaviour that can be distinguished from offline stalking. The work concludes by emphasising a need for further research

An exploration of predatory behaviour in cyberspace: Towards a typology of cyberstalkers

Over the last few years governments, law enforcement agencies, and the media have noted increases of online harassment. Although there has been a great deal of research into 'offline stalking', at this moment in time there has been no formal research that attempts to classify cyberstalkers. This study aimed to identify a classification of cyberstalkers by interviewing victims. Twenty-four participants were interviewed and their responses logged on a 76-item Cyberstalking Incident Checklist. A typology of cyberstalkers was developed

Cyberstalking tra gli infermieri italiani: studio multicentrico

Scopo. Determinare la prevalenza di cyberstalking tra gli infermieri italiani e valutare il livello di ansia e depressione nelle vittime.Metodo. Da aprile a settembre 2014 è stato condotto uno studio multicentrico trasversale in un campione di infermieri italiani (n=997) utilizzando il questionario "Cyberstalking" per analizzare il fenomeno del cyberstalking. Ai partecipanti, che si sono autodefinite vittime di cyberstalking, è stato chiesto anche di compilare gli strumenti "Beck Depression Inventory" e "State-Trait Anxiety Inventory" per valutare, rispettivamente, i livelli di depressione ed ansia.Risultati. La prevalenza di cyberstalking tra gli infermieri italiani è risultata pari al 23.3%. Il 42.7% ha dovuto cambiare il proprio stile di vita e lavorativo. Il cyberstalker era prevalentemente di sesso maschile (52%) e, nel 49% dei casi, era un paziente. Le vittime hanno riferito moderati livelli di ansia (media=28.4, SD=23.2) e depressione (media=92.7, SD=18.3); i risultati hanno mostrato un aumento dei livelli di depressione negli infermieri esperti nell'utilizzo del computer, gestori di siti web o blog (F = 3.866; p<0.05), e una correlazione negativa tra il livello di ansia e gli infermieri esperti (r = -0.264, p<0.01).Conclusioni. Il cyberstalking è un fenomeno che si riscontra frequentemente tra gli infermieri. Il rapporto infermiere - paziente gioca un ruolo centrale nello sviluppo del fenomeno e le vittime hanno riferito disordini correlati allo stress che influenzano la vita lavorativa. Questi risultati preliminari potrebbero sensibilizzare, i dirigenti ospedalieri, la politica e i centri antiviolenza al fine di sviluppare strategie risolutive a sostegno delle vittime.Parole chiave: cyberstalking, internet, infermieri. Cyberstalking among Italian nurses: a large multicentric studyAim. Assess the prevalence of cyberstalking among Italian nurses and anxiety and depression levels reported by the victims.Method. A cross-sectional multicentric study was carried out from April to September 2014 in a sample of Italian nurses (n=997) by using the "Cyberstalking" questionnaire to assess the cyberstalking phenomenon. Participants, who were self-defined cyberstalking victims, also were asked to complete the "Beck Depression Inventory" and the "State-Trait Anxiety Inventory" questionnaires.Results. The prevalence of cyberstalking among Italian nurses was 23.3%. The 42.7% changed their living and working habits. Mainly, the cyberstalker was male (52%) and was a patient (49%). The victims reported moderate levels of depression and anxiety (mean=28.4, SD=23.2; mean=92.7, SD=18.3, respectively); the results showed an increased level of depression in nurses with more experience in the use of computer as managers of websites or blogs (F = 3.866; p<0.05) and a negative correlation between the level of anxiety and experienced nurses (r = -0.264, p<0.01).Conclusion. The cyberstalking is a frequently occurring phenomenon among Italian nurses. The relationship between nurse and patient play a pivotal role in the development of the phenomenon and the victims reported stress levels-related disorders that affect working life. These preliminary findings could sensitize health care decision makers, policy and the centers of anti violence in the prevention of the phenomenon, and to develop decisive strategies to help the victims.Keywords: cyberstalking, internet, nurse