Examining Perceptions of Online Harassment among Constables in England and Wales

Holt, Thomas J.; Lee, Jin R.; Liggett, Roberta; Holt, Karen; Bossler, Adam M.

doi:10.52306/02010319lfqz1592

Cited by 23 publications

(18 citation statements)

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“…While this study highlighted the negative treatment of victims by the police, it also found that over half of the sample population (54%) reported positive victim experiences with the police, rendering the results as mixed and inconclusive. Holt et al (2019) confirmed that dismissive responses to victims could be strongly related to police officers having negative attitudes about cyberstalking-in the sense that they believe that online offences could be avoided and are not serious enough to demand police attention. However, the survey data gathered in this study did not consider the range of constabulary policies (or lack of) around stalking and how they may contribute to police officer understandings and responses to victims.…”

Section: Victim Experiences With the Criminal Justice Systemmentioning

confidence: 71%

“…Holt et al (2019) confirmed that dismissive responses to victims could be strongly related to police officers having negative attitudes about cyberstalking—in the sense that they believe that online offences could be avoided and are not serious enough to demand police attention. However, the survey data gathered in this study did not consider the range of constabulary policies (or lack of) around stalking and how they may contribute to police officer understandings and responses to victims.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 74%

“…However, the survey data gathered in this study did not consider the range of constabulary policies (or lack of) around stalking and how they may contribute to police officer understandings and responses to victims. Furthermore, the sample was not fully representative of the population of local constables in England and Wales, which limits the generalizability to a certain extent (Holt et al, 2019). Negative victim experiences with the police (e.g., see Taylor-Dunn et al, 2018) indicate that specialized training around stalking, risks, and legal options is needed for law enforcement officials to improve understanding of this crime type and consider the broader effects of stalking on victims’ lives (Backes et al, 2020; Brady & Nobles, 2015; Puronvarsi & Ruotanen, 2017).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Risk Management in Stalking Victims: A Multi-Agency Approach to Victim Advocacy

Jerath

Tompson

Belur

2020

J Interpers Violence

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A pilot Multi-Agency Stalking Intervention Programme (MASIP), introduced in three police forces in England, provided among a range of interventions, the delivery of safety planning advice, and needs-based support for stalking victims through a bespoke advocacy service. The ultimate aim of MASIP was to equip victims with tools to manage the variety of harms caused by stalking, as well as enable them to access the criminal justice system with adequate support. This study explores the personal needs of stalking victims from the perspectives of stalking victims, advocates and stakeholders involved in the intervention program, as part of a larger evaluation study conducted by the authors. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with a total of 10 stalking victims who participated in the MASIP, three advocates who directly interacted with the victims, and 19 MASIP stakeholders involved in the project. Findings revealed that overall, victims believed the advocacy service aided their ability to cope with the realities of stalking. Having a victim advocate as single point of contact made victims’ journey through the justice system easier to navigate, provided them with the emotional support that they required to deal with the harms of stalking and the practical advice offered regarding their personal safety, and allowed them to feel in control of their own risk management. Advocates reported that the multi-agency context helped in risk assessment and ability to design and deliver bespoke support plans, which uniquely improved victims’ engagement with the service. Due to the small size and possibly biased sample, our conclusions must be interpreted with caution.

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Section: Victim Experiences With the Criminal Justice Systemmentioning

confidence: 71%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 74%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Risk Management in Stalking Victims: A Multi-Agency Approach to Victim Advocacy

Jerath

Tompson

Belur

2020

J Interpers Violence

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“…Extant literature has suggested a significant relationship between individuals' skill and comfort with technology and their perceptions of cybercrime seriousness. Specifically, research has found that law enforcement officers with more experience and comfort with technology were significantly more likely to perceive cybercrime as serious given their heightened awareness of the potential risks and consequences associated with online offences (e.g., Hinduja, 2007;Holt et al, 2019;Leukfeldt et al, 2013). In fact, individuals who enjoy using technology, feel comfortable in online settings, and are confident with using digital technology, would be more likely to understand the different types of misconduct that arise in online settings and its potential risks and consequences.…”

Section: Predictors Of Crime Seriousnessmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…A failure to both identify cybercrime behaviours and adequately understand their consequences may affect several behavioural outcomes, including individuals' reporting and helpseeking behaviours, bystander interventions, and even willingness to offend (see Holt et al, 2019;Horgan et al, 2021;Lee et al, 2021). Relatedly, this lack of understanding may affect individuals' perceptions of cybercrime seriousness, which may equate to a lower allocation of public funds and law enforcement resources to combat such misconduct (see Koziarski & Lee, 2020;Lee, 2022), and reduce support for policies that advocate for greater online crime prevention efforts (Dodge & Burruss, 2019;Yar, 2013).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The cybercrime illusion: Examining the impact of cybercrime misbeliefs on perceptions of cybercrime seriousness

Fissel

Lee

2023

Journal of Criminology

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Though research examining cybercrime has surged in recent years, studies exploring perceptions concerning these phenomena have been scant. In fact, little is known regarding the extent to which individuals perceive cybercrime as serious, whether exposure to cybercrime terminology elicit similar perceptions of seriousness as behavioural descriptions of cybercrime, and the factors predicting perceptions of cybercrime seriousness. While research examining offline crime has found a significant relationship between individuals’ adoption of misleading stereotypes and perceived crime seriousness, no study to date has explored this association within a cybercrime context. As such, using data collected from 504 Mechanical Turk adult respondents, the current study examined: (1) the extent to which individuals perceived cybercrime (generally) as serious, (2) whether perceptions of cybercrime seriousness were differentially influenced based on whether cybercrime terms (e.g., ‘hacking’, ‘cyberstalking’) were provided relative to behavioural definitions, and (3) whether respondents’ adoption of cybercrime misbeliefs significantly impacted perceptions of cybercrime seriousness, net of other factors (i.e., comfort with and use of technology, demographic traits). The findings revealed that while more individuals perceived cybercrime as serious when behavioural definitions were provided, the majority of respondents did not perceive cybercrime (generally) as serious. Further, greater adoption of cybercrime misbeliefs and frequent device use were significant predictors of perceived cybercrime seriousness only when behavioural definitions were given. In addition, older respondents were more likely to view cybercrime as serious, while men were less likely to view cybercrime as serious in both models. Collectively, the findings reveal the need for effective educational and awareness campaigns, which are discussed in detail.

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