The Telegraph recently ran a story about television presenter, Alexis Bowater, who was “cyberstalked” for over two years. Alexander Reeve sent Alexis over 50 violent and sexual emails, many of which threatened her life and included threats that were graphic and sexual. He claimed that she would be found hanged and phoned in bomb threats to the studio where Alexis worked. Reeve was found guilty and sentenced to four years in prison. The article highlights a statistics that I had never seen before. As quoted in the article, Alexis states that 77% of stalking victims wait until 100 incidents have occurred before they contact the police.

The article does a good job of highlighting the constant stress, worry, terror and helplessness that many victims of stalking experience, which can often be exacerbated when technology and anonymity are involved.

“There are things that I was made to think that are kept in some quiet place in my soul because when somebody is telling you they’re going to do all these things you do believe them and live with it every day and night.”

“You don’t know what they (stalkers) look like, how old they are, what gender, whether they are doing it from nearby or abroad, if they are your next door neighbour, or someone in your office. You have no idea and that is terrifying.”

Click on the image below to see a video of Alexis describing her stalking and recent changes in British harassment laws.