National Stalking Awareness Month

The month of January serves as an annual call to recognize and spread awareness about the crime of stalking and the methods of protecting us from stalkers. 

 

Stalking is a behavioral pattern directed at a specific person. 

However,  to classify the behavior as stalking, it would need cause a reasonable amount of fear to the person being stalked. 

Stalking also often causes emotional distress and trauma to the person. It is a criminal offence in India.

Who can be a stalker?

In theory, anybody can be a stalker. But in real life, these people are more likely to be a stalker:-

• A former partner
• A known acquaintance 
• A complete stranger

 

Types of Stalking

Stalking can be classified into three main types:-

Cyber Stalking- 

Cyber networks are all around us but are they secure? Even if you use these digital platforms often, there is no guarantee that you are not being stalked or know about your stalker. Cyber Stalking is the type of stalking over the internet. The most commonly used tools in this type of stalking are cell phones and the internet to stalk the victim and cause fear. Cyberstalking can also take place on social media platforms.

 

Aggravated Stalking- 

This type of stalking can happen in many ways, but mostly when the perpetrator restrains the victim, causes bodily harm to the victim, or violates an order of protection. Sometimes it’s a combination of all three. 

 

Surveillance Stalking- 

This type of stalking is when the perpetrator follows the victim physically, often standing outside their place of education, work, or frequently visited places. 

 

How to Prevent Stalking:

 

Preventing Online Stalking

Regular software updates are crucial when it comes to preventing information leaks. Many updates are developed to patch security vulnerabilities and help ensure your information remains safe.

 

 

• Hide your IP Address – Your IP address is directly related to your personal data and people can track you using it. Many application services can reveal you IP address to the person you are communicating with.

 

• Update your software regularly- Updating your software can prevent data leaks. New updates can help patch vulnerabilities and ensure data privacy.

 

• Maintain good digital hygiene – Digital hygiene (also known as cyber hygiene) refers to a set of procedures that help you stay safe and secure in your daily digital life. Just as your personal hygiene helps you to stay healthy and happy, cyber hygiene helps you to achieve the same in your digital life.

 

• Avoid the disclosure of sensitive information- A vast majority of people constantly risk their sensitive information slipping away into the hands of frauds. By filling out surveys, applications for coupons etc, people are becoming victim to such frauds.

 

Offline Stalking

 

• Shred it, don't bin it – It is important that you don’t crumble up old documents that are no longer of use to you. Rather, you can consider shredding them with a personal paper shredder that will shred your before you dispose them.

• Leave important documents at residence-  ID Cards, Aadhar cards, birth certificates, passports and other important documents should be left home when not needed. By taking them with you, you risk giving stalkers crucial personal information.

• Wi-Fi Security- Public Wi-Fi signals are not as secure as they seem. It is wise not to submit passwords and confidential information to public Wi-Fi networks. As you never know where hackers might lurk.

Laws against Stalking in India

 

1.  Section 354D of the Indian Penal Code defines stalking as a punishable offence. This law punishes any man with up to 3 year in jail, or a fine. If the same person commits this crime for a subsequent time, his sentence can stretch up to 5 years of in prison.

 

2.  Section 507 of the IPC penalizes criminal intimidation of a person by anonymous communication. Under this section a person is punished if:-

 

• Threat is about causing above mentioned injuries to the victim’s loved ones.

• A person is threatened by another person anonymously.

• The threat is about injuring a person, their property or reputation.
• The threat is accompanied by an intention to cause harm.
• The victim is alarmed or is asked to do or not do something illegal to escape the execution of the threat.

 

3.  Section 509 of the IPC penalizes anybody who uses words or actions to insult a woman’s modesty. The crime is punishable with up to 1 year of imprisonment and a fine. 

 

 

Help centers and resources for help:

 

• National Center for Victims of Crime - https://victimsofcrime.org/stalking-resource-center/

 

• Stopstalkerware.org –  https://stopstalkerware.org/resources/

 

 

• National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal- https://www.cybercrime.gov.in/

 

 

                                     (By Arunava Dutta, Volunteer, Editorial Dept. Advanced Healthcare Foundation)