REP. FOX SAYS "CYBER-STALKING" NEEDS ADDRESSING

[Perosino, Larry]

FOR IMMEDIATE USE                                                                   CONTACT: Larry Perosino   

April 1, 2011                                                                                                   860-240-0144

                       

REP. FOX SAYS “CYBER-STALKING” NEEDS ADDRESSING  

Wants tougher penalties, protection for growing online problem

 

State Representative Gerald Fox III (D-Stamford), House Chair of the Legislature’s Judiciary Committee, says a bill (HB6633) taking aim at online “cyber-stalking” is needed because the growing problem is not adequately addressed by current law.

 

“We need to put more bite in our present stalking law and that not only means more severe penalties, but recognition and inclusion of online cyber stalking,” said Fox. “Technology has given stalkers a cloak to hide behind and made their victims much more vulnerable.”

 

The legislation came out of the Speaker’s Task Force on Domestic Violence, of which Fox is a member, and was the subject of a recent public hearing before the Judiciary Committee.

 

Fox pointed to compelling testimony at the hearing by both law enforcement officials and victims citing examples of stalkers using communications tools such as email to contact their targets’ family and employers resulting in devastating consequences.

 

“Jane Doe” testified that her stalker had progressed from harassing phone calls and following to an all out cyber attack.

 

“My ex boyfriend had changed my webpage and placed a webpage on my computer alerting me to a website that explained how cell phones are tapped,” she testified. “He uses social networking websites to spread rumors, gossip and emails to friends and strangers.”

 

Fox expects the bill to be approved by his committee within the next two weeks.