TINA L. SCOTT
EDITOR
Did you know that calling, text messaging, electronic message, emailing, or any other means of unwelcome electronic communication, or causing the victim’s or any other person’s telephone or electronic device to ring or generate notifications repeatedly or continuously (even if no conversation occurs) is considering stalking?
Likewise, sending the victim any physical or electronic material, or contacting the victim by any means or for the purpose of obtaining information about, or spreading information about, or communicating with the victim, including any message, comment, or other content posted on any Internet site or web application is considered stalking. And doing the same via contact to a member of the victim’s family or household, or current or former employer or co-worker, or friend in the same manner is also stalking.
Gov. Tony Evers signed 2021 Senate Bill 85 creating an Act to amend Wisconsin Statutes 940.32(1)(a)6 and 940.32 (1) (a) 7 to include all of these electronic means of stalking in our state laws on Friday, Apr. 23.
The takeaway? Electronic harassment is considered stalking and punishable by Wisconsin law as such and is considered very much the same as physical or other forms of harassment and stalking.