Overview of Stalking and Technology: Prosecution Strategies

Presented by John Wilkinson, Attorney Advisor, AEquitas

Stalking affects 6.6 million people in the United States each year and stalking victims recount the fear and distress they have experienced as a result of this crime in courtrooms throughout the country everyday. Far too often, these victims’ reports are taken seriously only after the stalkers escalate their behaviors and cause significant property damage, physical harm, or death to their victims. Stalkers create and exploit vulnerabilities in their victims while relying on technology and their ability to manipulate the justice system in order to conceal their crimes and cast doubt on their victim’s credibility.

This webinar served as an overview of stalking and the modern technology used by the stalker. It discussed investigation and prosecution strategies as well as interviewing techniques designed to maximize victim cooperation and safety. It also discussed offenders, the correlation between stalking and other forms of violence, lethality, and the importance of using a collaborative approach between law enforcement, victim advocates and prosecutors to assist victims and hold offenders accountable.