Challenges in Policing Cyberstalking: A Critique of the Stalking Risk Profile in the Context of Online Relationships

This chapter draws on two bodies of literature—psychology and information technology (IT)—to examine how police investigate and prosecute cyberstalking. It critically examines the Stalking Risk Profile (MacKenzie et al. 2011) with respect to its relevance for assessing the risk of cyberstalking. It is argued that for police investigators and prosecutors to be proactive in policing cyberstalking, risk assessments need to adapt to constantly changing technology and the implications for technological change for interpersonal relationships. The chapter also explores police understandings of technological advancements by demonstrating a distinction between those who are pre-digital (‘digital immigrants’) or post-digital (‘digital natives’) (2001). The chapter presents findings from preliminary research that involved interviews with police investigators and prosecutors regarding challenges for policing cyberstalking.