Deborah Boehle, whose 9-year-old daughter was a victim of cyberstalking, is suing her former neighbor for $3 million.
Published:
17 July 2000 y., Monday
While the Internet has brought the world to the fingertips of millions, putting friends and resources just a click away, it also poses new threats to privacy and personal safety.
On 20/20 Downtown, Lynn Sherr brings to light disturbing cases of cyberstalking, a phenomenon of online harassment that has the potential to affect Internet users and nonusers alike.
“It never occurred to me that the Internet could be used as a weapon,” says Deborah Boehle, who claims her family had been harassed for two-and-a-half years by a man who sent out postings soliciting sex with her 9-year-old daughter.
The Boehles were awakened to the dangers of the Web by a phone call at 3 a.m. Though the man on the line asked to speak with their daughter by name, Deborah assumed it was a wrong number and mere coincidence. But when phone calls from men asking for the young girl persisted, followed by a hang-up when asked who was calling or why, Deborah and her husband, Mike, were alarmed.
A few weeks after the calls began, a neighbor complained to Mike about his daughter, who had written “hello” with sidewalk chalk on a neighbor’s driveway. Having had other run-ins with this neighbor, Mike suspected this man could be behind the menacing phone calls. Thinking that the Web might be involved, Mike looked online for clues.
The Boehles turned to local police, who advised that the family simply get a new phone number and keep their daughter inside. But Mike and Deborah, who wish to conceal their daughter’s identity, moved to a new community and enlisted the help of a neighboring police department’s Computer Crime Unit. They subpoenaed the neighbor’s home telephone records: On every single date and time an Internet posting about the Boehle daughter was made, the neighbor’s phone was connected to his Internet service provider.
Šaltinis:
ABCNEWS.com
Copying, publishing, announcing any information from the News.lt portal without written permission of News.lt editorial office is prohibited.
The most popular articles
Bulgaria's annual Festival of Humour took place today, poking fun at the global recession.
more »
The Belgian city of Ghent is going green by urging its residents to eat more greens. Ethical Vegetarian Alternative campaigners want them to go veggie every Thursday They say that if the whole city did that for a year it could save the equivalent carbon emissions of 20,000 cars.
more »
Baking is something David Muniz and David Lesniak know a thing or two about.
Originally from the States, the pair moved to Britain two years ago and have been supplying London with their American-style cakes ever since.
more »
A collection of 16th and 17th century torture devices is up for auction in New York. Judging by some of the items for sale, we've come a long way.
more »
Despite vigorous efforts, men and women do not always get the same start or benefit from the same opportunities.
more »
Across Europe the amount of time new mums can have off after the birth of their child varies from 14 weeks to 2 years.
more »
As the world No.1 carmaker announced billions in losses, an increasing number of auto industry workers near its Toyota City are hungry and sleeping in tents after losing their jobs and homes.
more »
With a media turnout worthy of a superpower summit in the lobby of Trump Tower in New York City - Donald Trump - the Miss USA pageant owner - decided the fate of Miss California USA Carrie Prejean.
more »
A conversation is taking place across Europe as people use choice boxes to record their questions and comments on what the European Union should be doing ahead of the European elections from 4-7 June.
more »
MTV teams up with EU on campaign to encourage young people to vote.
more »