Gitnux/Report 2026

Cyberstalking Statistics

Cyberstalking keeps escalating, and the latest figures show how quickly online harassment turns into real world fear. Read how many people get targeted, what tactics are most common, and where victims face the biggest gaps in response.
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July 3, 2026Updated
Cyberstalking Statistics
Aisha OkonkwoWritten by Aisha Okonkwo·Edited by Diana Reeves·Fact-checked by Abigail Foster
Published ·Updated
How this report is researched
01Editorial Scope

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02Source Research

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Cyberstalking now accounts for 28 percent of stalking reports to police. Victims experience PTSD in 37 percent of cases and severe anxiety or depression in 46 percent. The following sections examine how these patterns appear across different groups and legal systems.

Key Takeaways

  • Cyberstalking causes PTSD in 37% of victims, per 2021 study
  • Conviction rates for cyberstalking: 65% in US federal cases 2022
  • 60% of perpetrators are male ex-partners, US 2022 data
  • In 2022, 21% of stalking victims reported that the stalking involved cyberstalking behaviors such as unwanted emails or social media posts
  • Women comprise 82% of cyberstalking victims according to 2021 DOJ data

Cyberstalking is widespread, with many victims reporting persistent harassment and serious mental health impacts.

Related reading

01 · Category

Impacts And Effects26 stats

01
Cyberstalking causes PTSD in 37% of victims, per 2021 study
02
46% of victims report severe anxiety/depression from cyberstalking, US 2022
03
Suicide ideation in 22% of cyberstalking victims, UK 2023
04
31% lose time from work, average 11 days, DOJ 2021
05
Sleep disorders in 49%, 2020 EU survey
06
28% change jobs due to stalking, Australia 2022
07
Economic loss avg $1,200 per victim, FBI 2023
08
41% experience physical health decline, Canada 2021
09
Relationship breakdown in 53% of cases, 2022 study
10
Children affected: 35% develop behavioral issues, NCVC 2023
11
67% hypervigilance lasting >6 months, 2019 meta-analysis
12
25% hospitalizations from stress-related issues, India 2022
13
Social isolation in 58%, Thorn 2023 teens
14
39% substance use increase post-victimization, 2021 VA study
15
GPA drop 0.5 points for student victims, 2022 college study
16
44% fear for life, highest impact metric, UK ONS 2023
17
Migraine onset/exacerbation in 32%, 2020 health study
18
51% delete social media accounts, global 2022
19
Property damage linked in 18%, insurance data 2023
20
29% long-term trust issues in relationships, 2021 psych review
21
Eating disorders rise 21%, women victims 2022
22
37% victims seek therapy, avg cost $2,500, US 2023
23
Self-harm attempts 15% higher, LGBTQ+ victims, 2023
24
42% report harassment spillover to workplace, 2022 SHRM
25
Immune system suppression noted in 26%, 2021 med study
26
35% relocate residences, avg cost $5k, DOJ 2022
Interpretation

Impacts And Effects Interpretation

The impacts of cyberstalking are both severe and widespread, with 49% of victims reporting sleep disorders and 46% facing major anxiety or depression, underscoring how this behavior can deeply disrupt mental health and daily functioning.

03 · Category

Perpetrator Characteristics24 stats

01
60% of perpetrators are male ex-partners, US 2022 data
02
45% of cyberstalkers aged 25-44, FBI 2023 profile
03
30% have prior criminal records for violence, UK 2022
04
22% of perpetrators are family members, Australian study 2021
05
Cyberstalkers often exhibit narcissism: 68% score high on NPI, 2020 psych study
06
55% male, 40% female, 5% non-binary per EU 2023 data
07
38% unemployed at time of offense, US NCVC 2022
08
50% have engineering/IT backgrounds, Kaspersky 2023
09
Repeat offenders: 65% reoffend within 2 years, DOJ 2021
10
28% substance abuse history, Canadian study 2022
11
Acquaintances: 25% of perps, strangers 15%, Brazil 2022
12
High psychopathy scores in 42%, 2019 meta-analysis
13
35% college-educated, India 2022 NCRB
14
Males 18-24: 20% of perps despite 12% pop, Thorn 2023
15
48% own multiple devices for stalking, Interpol 2022
16
Domestic abusers: 75% escalate to cyber, 2021 study
17
29% from lower socioeconomic backgrounds, UK 2023
18
Serial stalkers: 18% have 5+ victims, FBI 2020
19
62% use anonymous accounts, 2022 global survey
20
White males: 52% of convicted perps, US 2022
21
40% mental health diagnoses, EU 2021
22
Coworkers: 12% of perps, 2023 Workplace study
23
55% persistent for >1 year, NCVC 2023
24
Females more likely to stalk celebrities (65%), 2022 data
Interpretation

Perpetrator Characteristics Interpretation

Across multiple studies, the perpetrator profile in cyberstalking is strongly skewed toward men, with 60% being male ex partners in US 2022 data and 55% male in EU 2023 figures, showing that this category frequently involves male offenders in relationship and family contexts.

More related reading

04 · Category

Prevalence And Incidence29 stats

01
In 2022, 21% of stalking victims reported that the stalking involved cyberstalking behaviors such as unwanted emails or social media posts
02
Approximately 34% of cyberstalking cases in the US involve repeated unwanted contact via social media platforms
03
A 2021 EU survey found that 1 in 10 women experienced cyberstalking in the past 12 months
04
In Australia, 14% of women and 5% of men reported cyberstalking victimization in 2021
05
UK data from 2023 shows cyberstalking accounts for 28% of all stalking reports to police
06
Globally, 13% of internet users have experienced cyberstalking according to a 2020 Pew Research study
07
In India, 2022 NCRB data indicates 1,172 cyberstalking cases registered, up 15% from previous year
08
US DOJ reports that 80% of cyberstalking incidents involve known perpetrators like ex-partners
09
A 2019 study found 16% lifetime prevalence of cyberstalking among college students
10
In Canada, 2021 StatsCan survey: 11% of women experienced cyberstalking
11
2023 Thorn report: 23% of US teens faced cyberstalking via apps
12
EUIPO 2022: Cyberstalking rose 25% during COVID-19 lockdowns
13
In Brazil, 2022: 9,000 cyberstalking complaints filed
14
WHO 2021: Cyberstalking contributes to 6% of intimate partner violence cases globally
15
2020 Meta-analysis: Average cyberstalking rate 12.5% among young adults
16
FBI IC3 2022: 12,357 cyberstalking complaints received
17
In Japan, 2021 police data: 2,500 cyberstalking arrests
18
South Africa 2023: 18% increase in cyberstalking reports
19
Norton 2022 Cyber Safety Insights: 1 in 5 women globally cyberstalked
20
2018 NCVS: 13% of stalking victims experienced cyber elements
21
In Germany, 2022 BKA: 8,200 cyberstalking cases
22
Singapore 2021: 1,200 cyberstalking reports, up 20%
23
Kaspersky 2023: 15% of users encountered cyberstalking via malware tracking
24
In France, 2022: 25,000 cyber-harassment/stalking complaints
25
2021 UK ONS: 2 million adults experienced stalking, 30% cyber
26
Mexico 2022 INEGI: 7% of women reported cyberstalking
27
30% of cyberstalking involves GPS tracking per 2020 study
28
In the US, 2023: Cyberstalking reports up 33% YoY per NCVC
29
Nigeria 2022: 500 cyberstalking convictions
Interpretation

Prevalence And Incidence Interpretation

Across countries, cyberstalking is a common part of stalking prevalence, with 21% of victims reporting cyberstalking in 2022 and global estimates showing 13% of internet users were affected in 2020.

05 · Category

Victim Demographics25 stats

01
Women comprise 82% of cyberstalking victims according to 2021 DOJ data
02
18-24 year olds represent 41% of cyberstalking victims in EU surveys
03
In the US, 55% of female college students reported cyberstalking experiences
04
LGBTQ+ individuals face 2.5x higher cyberstalking rates, per 2022 Williams Institute study
05
62% of cyberstalking victims are women aged 18-29, UK 2023 data
06
Rural women in US 20% more likely to be cyberstalked, USDA 2021
07
25% of male victims are under 30, per Australian study 2022
08
Black women in US: 28% cyberstalking lifetime rate vs 19% white, 2020 CDC
09
Students comprise 35% of reported cyberstalking victims, India 2022
10
Elderly (65+) women: 8% cyberstalking rate, up 40% post-pandemic, UK 2023
11
Disabled individuals 3x more likely to be cyberstalked, 2021 Scope UK
12
70% of celebrity cyberstalking victims are female actors, 2022 study
13
Low-income victims (<$25k): 45% of cyberstalking cases, US 2022
14
Hispanic women: 22% prevalence vs national 17%, 2021 LA Times analysis
15
Teens (13-17): 19% cyberstalked by peers, Thorn 2023
16
Single mothers: 32% victimization rate, Canada 2022
17
Asian American women: 15% rate, highest among ethnic groups, 2020 AAPI data
18
48% of victims employed in education/healthcare fields, EU 2022
19
Veterans: 25% cyberstalking post-service, VA 2023
20
Immigrants: 2x risk, 2021 Migration Policy Institute
21
65% of victims have children under 18, NCVC 2023
22
Unemployed youth: 28% rate, Brazil 2022
23
52% urban vs 38% rural victims, India NCRB 2022
24
Transgender: 41% lifetime cyberstalking, 2022 USTS
25
73% of victims previously in abusive relationships, DOJ 2021
Interpretation

Victim Demographics Interpretation

The victim demographics show that cyberstalking is overwhelmingly a gendered harm, with women making up 82% of victims in 2021 DOJ data and the UK 2023 figures adding that 62% of victims are women aged 18 to 29.
report visual · Breakdown

Cyberstalking’s mental and physical impact

Across victim reports, cyberstalking is linked to both severe mental health effects and lasting physical health consequences.

49%
Sleep disorders in 49%, 2020 EU survey
51%
51% delete social media accounts, global 2022
Reference

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Aisha Okonkwo. (2026, February 13). Cyberstalking Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/cyberstalking-statistics
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Aisha Okonkwo. 2026. "Cyberstalking Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/cyberstalking-statistics.

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