Abstract

Cyberstalking is a growing concern within society, yet remains conceptually contested and inconsistently defined across law, research and practice. Cyberstalking can be understood as a pattern of unwanted, fixated and obsessive use of digital technologies to monitor, contact or pursue individuals. Internationally, legal frameworks have struggled to keep pace with such behaviours. Pre-digital UK stalking legislation often fails to protect victims of cyberstalking, leading to gaps in investigations and prosecution, particularly where anonymity and cross-jurisdiction issues arise. This paper examines the definitional and practical challenges arising from ambiguity in how harassment, stalking and cyberstalking are distinguished across arenas. Legal uncertainty, inconsistent policy frameworks, and discretionary policing practices contribute to fragmented responses, underreporting and missed opportunities for victim protection. Reviewing legal, academic and clinical perspectives, the paper explores how definitional debates directly influence policing responses. Engaging with these debates is vital to improving cyberstalking case recognition, strengthening victim protection, and developing coherent policing strategies. It concludes by highlighting the need for research grounded in the lived experiences of victim survivors and frontline police practice.