Facing Cyber harassment, approach cyber cops

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Ankit Singh Gehlot

03 May, 2011

This article talks about the growing number of cyber-harassment, stalking cases in which mostly the women are victimised. It is important that such cases are taken seriously and cops sounded out.

PRESENTLY INFORMATION Technology has developed to a great extent involving the ease of interacting with friends, relatives, etc., in a couple of clicks. No hassles of writing lengthy letters and then posting them to their destination. It’s just a matter of some clicks and the message is sent to the person. With the development in the IT Sector, new types of crimes have also been emerging as a result of this. The latest term is Cyber Harassment.

Cyber Harassment may be defined as any deed that's done repeatedly against the will of the intended person, which, as a result, leads to ultimate harassment to the victim. This may include threatening, sending messages repeatedly even after saying “NO”, etc.

Let us take an example:

“A” is a college student who is aged 23 years. She made her profile for connecting with friends on a social media. After 2 months, she received a friend request from an unknown contact. She mistakenly accepts it. Then, after some days the person proposes her over the social media by a message. She denies to the proposal. The culprit then uploads an edited inappropriate image of her on the profile. The girl says him to remove it but culprit demands a meet-up with her or repeated harassment. The girl approaches her local Cyber Crime cell and the culprit gets arrested. The girl is shocked to learn that the culprit is no other then her classmate in the college.

That’s it. If this girl A kept quiet and didn’t do anything she would feel much humiliated and the culprit were more empowered. But, one tough decision of the girl and the culprit went behind the bars.

What to do in case one is a victim of Cyber Harassment?
Firstly, one should clearly state to the stalker to STOP doing such activities. Though, contacting the stalker is unwise. If the stalker continues to do the task, simply complaint against him/her to the Local law enforcement agency or the FBI. Don’t remain quiet and never meed the stalker alone any any place.

Are there any specific laws/acts drafted for coping-up with Cyber Harassment?
Frankly, Cyber world is facing new changes every time that is why the Laws/Acts need to be updated. Though, in such cases, the laws of Cyber crimes do apply in addition to other concerned laws. In India, for example: if a person does the deed of cyber-harassing, makes inappropriate posts on social media to harass a victim, Information Technology Act provisions along with the IPC/Cr.P.C provisions apply to the cases. Usually, in such cases, on evidence and depending on the situation of the crime, immediate arrest of the culprit is done and enquiry is initiated in the matter.

How to speak at the local police station? Will they understand my matter?
In India as well as abroad there are established cyber crime cells in various important cities of the country. If not, one can still approach the local police station and explain the case correctly and file the complaint. Normally, as in India the cases filed under I.T Act are filed at Police stations and they forward to the concerned cyber crime cell.