New Statistics Canada Study on Cyberstalking

Statistics Canada has released a new study on Women and men who experienced cyberstalking in Canada.

The study examined the prevalence of online victimization or cyberstalking among women and men aged 15 and older, as well as the association between experiences of cyberstalking, self-rated mental health and satisfaction with personal safety from crime.

Among the highlights:

• In 2014, approximately 2.5 million people in Canada (representing 7% of Internet users aged 15 and over) experienced cyberstalking in the previous five years. Women were more likely to report having been cyberstalked (8%) than men (less than 6%).
• The prevalence of cyberstalking was higher among younger women and men. For instance, 14% of women aged 15 to 24 were cyberstalked compared with 7% of women aged 45 to 54. Similarly, 9% of men aged 15 to 24 reported being cyberstalked compared with 4% of men aged 45 to 54.
• Women who were victimized or witnessed violence in their youth were more likely to report that they experienced cyberstalking. For example, 15% of women who witnessed violence involving at least one parent before age 15 were cyberstalked, compared with 7% among those who did not.
• Women who were cyberstalked had a lower probability than those who were not cyberstalked to report that their mental health was 'very good' or 'excellent' (67% versus 74%). They were also less likely to be 'satisfied' or 'very satisfied' with personal safety from crime (80% versus 86%).
• Men who were cyberstalked also had a lower probability to report that their mental health was 'very good' or 'excellent' (70% versus 75%). Personal safety indicators, however, did not differ between men who were cyberstalked and those who were not.