Let's talk about safety

Every year more than 1 million women and 370,000 men are cyber stalked.

These statistics were shared on Wednesday during a talk hosted by Kintisha Williams to educate the public on cyber stalking and bystander intervention.

Williams is the coordinator of the crime victim service center, which is a part of alternatives to violence on the Palouse. Williams explained to the audience, made up of about 10 people, the specific definition of stalking.

“It’s considered stalking once a person asks someone not to contact them again,” Williams said. “The Washington state law clearly defines the boundaries.”

Williams said cyber stalking is becoming a big problem with men and women in the 18-25 age groups. This means that WSU and U of I students encounter cyber stalking problems frequently.

Williams said she encounters more students from the University of Idaho with cyber stalking problems than WSU. She attributed this to the differences in the law between Washington and Idaho.

In Washington, the first offense is a misdemeanor, but if the person continues to stalk it can turn into a Class C felony, Williams said.

Pam Persoon, who also works with Williams at the CVSC is from Idaho. She said cyber stalking wasn’t considered a felony in Idaho.

“The police are very serious about people who violate a protection order, and they will pick them up right away,” Williams said.

Judges also get very angry at violations. They take it more seriously because people have been killed as a result of cyber stalking, Persoon said.

Williams warned that the internet can be a haven for stalkers because people can make up an identity that is hard to trace.

She suggested that students be careful on social networking sites, keep all personal information off the internet, and to be careful who you befriend or talk to on these sites.

“More and more employees and universities are using facebook pages to determine a person’s character,” Williams said.

Williams also suggested ways that people could intervene in dangerous situations. She encouraged students to become safe, active bystanders.

When there are more bystanders during a conflict, there is less of a chance that someone will step in to help, Williams said.

“It’s as simple as screaming help, or fire, when someone is in trouble,” she said.

During the talk Williams encouraged students to take advantage of the crime victim service center.

The CVSC is a collaborative effort, and it has a lot of resources that are designed to help victims of crimes, Williams said.

Resources include a 24 hour crisis hotline at 800-701-8385, safety planning and financial assistance.