mandy
14 Oct 2002, 10:15
Laws to trap cyberstalkers
By IAN HABERFIELD
13oct02
CYBERSTALKERS will face up to 10 years' jail under tough new laws to be announced by Attorney-General Rob Hulls today.
In an Australian first, Victoria's Crimes Act will be amended to cover e-mail communication, the manipulation of the operating system on another person's computer, and the publishing of offensive material electronically.
"It's widely recognised that the development of new technologies, particularly the Internet, provide new ways for stalkers to locate, contact and potentially harm their victims," Mr Hulls said.
"That's why we are introducing Australia's first anti-cyberstalking legislation.
"Posting false information about a person, impersonating another person in chat sites, tracing a person's steps through the Internet, up-loading offensive or doctored images of a person to websites or providing personal information online will all be covered by these reforms.
"Since cyberstalking can occur from anywhere in the world, the reforms have been extended to allow extra-territorial operation."
Mr Hulls said there had been a dramatic increase in stalking complaints in Victoria.
"Between 1995-96 and 2000-01 the number of stalking complaints increased by 282 per cent, from 1391 to 5318," he said.
"A small number of those complaints involved e-mail harassment, but there have been a growing number of cases overseas that underlined the need to ensure that Victoria's laws are equipped to handle cyberstalking.
"That means the Bracks Government's cyberstalking laws will apply to people living interstate or overseas if they are found to be stalking a person residing in Victoria, or a person living in Victoria who uses technology to stalk a victim residing interstate or overseas."
Mr Hulls said current provisions did not deal with cases of stalking in which a victim might be followed and in very real danger, but unaware of the threat.
"This new legislation will remove the requirement that the victim be aware of the stalking behaviour in order for it to be considered an offence," Mr Hulls said.
The Crimes Act currently defines stalking as a persistent course of conduct undertaken with the intention of causing harm or of instilling apprehension or fear in a person and carries a maximum penalty of 10 years' jail.
By IAN HABERFIELD
13oct02
CYBERSTALKERS will face up to 10 years' jail under tough new laws to be announced by Attorney-General Rob Hulls today.
In an Australian first, Victoria's Crimes Act will be amended to cover e-mail communication, the manipulation of the operating system on another person's computer, and the publishing of offensive material electronically.
"It's widely recognised that the development of new technologies, particularly the Internet, provide new ways for stalkers to locate, contact and potentially harm their victims," Mr Hulls said.
"That's why we are introducing Australia's first anti-cyberstalking legislation.
"Posting false information about a person, impersonating another person in chat sites, tracing a person's steps through the Internet, up-loading offensive or doctored images of a person to websites or providing personal information online will all be covered by these reforms.
"Since cyberstalking can occur from anywhere in the world, the reforms have been extended to allow extra-territorial operation."
Mr Hulls said there had been a dramatic increase in stalking complaints in Victoria.
"Between 1995-96 and 2000-01 the number of stalking complaints increased by 282 per cent, from 1391 to 5318," he said.
"A small number of those complaints involved e-mail harassment, but there have been a growing number of cases overseas that underlined the need to ensure that Victoria's laws are equipped to handle cyberstalking.
"That means the Bracks Government's cyberstalking laws will apply to people living interstate or overseas if they are found to be stalking a person residing in Victoria, or a person living in Victoria who uses technology to stalk a victim residing interstate or overseas."
Mr Hulls said current provisions did not deal with cases of stalking in which a victim might be followed and in very real danger, but unaware of the threat.
"This new legislation will remove the requirement that the victim be aware of the stalking behaviour in order for it to be considered an offence," Mr Hulls said.
The Crimes Act currently defines stalking as a persistent course of conduct undertaken with the intention of causing harm or of instilling apprehension or fear in a person and carries a maximum penalty of 10 years' jail.