What Is Cyberstalking In Divorce?

With the growing popularity and availability of social media apps, more people today are dealing with issues of cyberstalking during their divorces. Cyberstalking during divorce is a term that is used to describe an event where one spouse is continuously seeking out the other one, primarily through the Internet, as a way of harassing, threatening, belittling, or watching the other spouse. If you believe this is happening to you, there are several things you should know about it.

The intent of cyberstalking

It is not uncommon for one spouse in a divorce to feel threatened, angry, or upset about the divorce, and if he or she feels this way, this spouse might begin spying on the other one. Spying is something that has been around forever, but cyberstalking involves more than just spying. When one spouse is cyberstalking, it often begins simply by spying on the other spouse's social media accounts to gain information about that person. Through this, the spouse might find out where the other spouse is, who he or she is with, and what he or she has been doing.

What it often leads to

While cyberstalking can begin very innocently, it can develop into something that is dangerous and an invasion of the other person's rights. After the initial spying begins occurring, cyberstalking often involves the use of threats online. These might be made directly on social media sites, through emails, or through other electronic forms of communication. Additionally, cyberstalking can also lead to statements being posted online that are derogatory, mean, and untrue. Cyberstalking is very hurtful for the spouse who is the target of the stalking, and it can also be scary and unsettling. There are even times when a spouse will take it as far as putting a tracking device on the other person's phone or car to keep tabs on that person.

What you can do if you are a victim of cyberstalking

If your spouse is cyberstalking you and if this is bothering you or scaring you, it is important to talk to your lawyer about it. You might be able to gather enough evidence to pursue criminal charges against your spouse for this, and you might be eligible for a restraining order against him or her.

Cyberstalking is a crime, and there are steps you can take to put this to a stop. If you have questions or problems with this, talk to a family lawyer today.