Improving the police investigation of domestic abuse cyber stalking and harassment cases – the experience of police officers

Over half of stalking and harassment victims experience online abuse, with the police response being described as being ‘unhelpful’ (Taylor-Dunn et al, 2017). In 2018, a UK police force set up a specialist team to investigate cases of domestic abuse cyber stalking and harassment (DACSH). This aimed to improve the police response to cyber stalking and harassment, to improve the experience of victims and bring more successful prosecutions. The team comprised of specially trained officers, along with a co-located Independent Domestic Violence Advisor.
A survey of frontline police officers in the force indicated a lack of confidence in identifying and collecting evidence, signposting victim/survivors of DACSH for further support, and investigating cyber enabled stalking and harassment. Interviews with the specialist officers were conducted to understand the investigation process more fully, alongside a detailed analysis of police case files. There was evidence of better identification and investigation of DACSH offences in the project area, and more successful prosecutions of these offences. Factors which contributed to this included the technical knowledge and ability of specialist officers to gather better quality evidence, having the time to conduct resource intensive investigations fully, and retaining the support of the victim throughout the prosecution process.