Understanding Cyberstalking Behavior & Underreporting
2020
A victim-centered research study exploring why cyberstalking incidents in India remain underreported. Through interviews and structured surveys, the project uncovers behavioral patterns, emotional barriers, and awareness gaps shaping digital safety.
Agency
Gurugram Police
Tools
Google sheets
Google Forms
Type
Researcher
The project started with a clear brief:
to understand why cyberstalking cases in India often go unreported and to identify the most common methods used.
Rather than relying only on data, the focus was on unspoken experiences, incidents people block, ignore, or never formally report.
Phase 1
What was tested
The project began with 14-question online survey which focused on:
- Details of the incident
- Reasons for not reporting
- Information about the perpetrator
- Awareness of legal protections
- Immediate actions taken
The goal was to capture experiences and understand reporting barriers.
It failed :(
Participants were hesitant, answers lacked depth, and many avoided sharing personal experiences.
The topic was sensitive, and without trust, people were uncomfortable opening up.
Phase 2
Conversational Interviews
Shift in approach
After the initial survey failed to generate depth, I shifted to one-on-one audio conversations. I conducted 17 semi-structured interviews:
- 8 participants had experienced cyberstalking
- 3 had experienced cyberbullying
- 6 had witnessed incidents involving close friends or family
These were not interrogative interviews, they were guided conversations.
No personal identifiers were collected, and privacy was clearly assured before beginning. The focus was to build comfort before asking about incidents.
What emerged from the conversations ?
The shift changed the quality of responses.
Participants opened up about:
- Shame and hesitation
- Fear of family reaction
- Distrust in police or reporting systems
- Emotional impact during and after the incident.
A clear gendered pattern emerged:
- Female participants reported higher incidents of cyberstalking
- Male participants more frequently reported cyberbullying
Most importantly, when given space to speak freely, many questions were answered naturally without direct probing.
How interviews shaped the research ?
These conversations helped:
- Refine the central research question
- Identify emotional and social barriers to reporting
- Reframe survey questions to be less direct and more empathetic
- Include reflective prompts about mindset and feelings
Phase 2 became the foundation of the entire project.
Central research question?
Many victims don’t realize it’s a crime or avoid reporting due to shame, stigma, or distrust in authorities. Understanding these barriers and behavioral patterns was essential to inform actionable interventions.
Phase 3
Survey Design & Execution
The survey received 189 responses from participants aged 16 - 35 across urban and semi-urban India (core analysis: 16 - 26).
Based on interview insights, a 9-question survey was structured.
Focus areas:
- Awareness of cyberstalking
- Personal or observed experiences
- Reporting behavior
- Mental health impact
- Preventive strategies
Ethical Considerations
- No personal identifiers collected
- Voluntary participation
- Freedom to modify names, locations, or details
- Sensitive and non-triggering language
Participants Profile
Age: 16–35 years
Gender: Majority female sample
Background: Students, professionals, homemakers
Location: Urban and semi-urban regions
Digital Activity: High engagement with Instagram, WhatsApp, Facebook, Tinder & Bumble
Patterns & Key Insights
Gendered Patterns
- Female participants reported significantly higher incidents of cyberstalking
- Male participants reported more incidents related to cyberbullying
- Women experienced more identity-based harassment (fake profiles, image misuse)
Psychological Impact
- Fear, anxiety, and hypervigilance
- Social withdrawal and reduced online presence
- Trust issues in relationships and digital platforms
Awareness & Trust Gap
- Limited awareness of legal protections.
- Low understanding of privacy and safety settings
- Fear of being blamed by family
- Distrust in police and formal reporting systems
Letting Them Speak
When given space, participants answered beyond structured questions
- Many shared emotional experiences without being directly asked
- A safe environment led to deeper, more authentic insights
- A reflective prompt about their mindset during the incident revealed internal fear, confusion, and self-doubt
Conclusion
Cyberstalking in India is increasing but remains largely underreported. The issue extends beyond legality; it is deeply social, psychological, and cultural. Fear of stigma, distrust in institutions, and low awareness of legal protections prevent victims from seeking help. The findings highlight a strong need for better legal awareness, improved and accessible reporting systems, user-friendly safety tools, and stronger emotional and institutional support. Cyberstalking is not just a digital crime it is a silent experience shaped by fear, shame, and systemic gaps.
Challenges & Personal Learnings
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My first 14-question survey failed, the responses were hesitant and lacked depth. I realized I was asking sensitive questions without first building trust.
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Many participants felt shame or minimized their experience, which made conversations delicate and emotionally heavy.
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I had to consciously reframe my language to avoid sounding intrusive or triggering.
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Shifting to conversations taught me that when I created a safe and comfortable space, most answers came naturally.
What I learned:
Researching sensitive topics isn’t just about collecting data, it’s about earning trust and handling people’s stories with responsibility and empathy.