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	Judge Awards $7.3 Million for Cyberstalking KMBC July 22, 2009 http://www.kmbc.com/news/20147565/detail.html OVERLAND PARK, Kan. -- A judge has handed down a $7.3 million judgment against a Johnson County woman, who was accused of inappropriate behavior and harassment of a child for years. KMBC's Maria Antonia reported that the child was a Kansas City boy, now a 23-year-old man who still lives in the city. The victim's mother spoke at a news conference Wednesday afternoon. Her message: "Boys hurt, too." The boy, Lewis, was 13 when he was babysitting for the woman who is accused of sexually abusing him. The final judgment focuses on other counts, including invasion of privacy and emotional distress. The victim, now a graduate of Rockhurst University, was harassed for nearly a decade, suffering anxiety and other symptoms that required treatment. His attorneys displayed a list of calls they said the woman made using a service that allowed her to hide her caller ID -- more than 500 calls over a year and a half. Attorneys also played what they said is evidence that the woman was able to get into Lewis' voice mail and erase messages friends would leave for his girlfriend. The family filed reports with the police, but no arrests were made. That is why the family said it filed a civil suit. Joan, the mother of Lewis, said, "It is the only recourse we found to put a stop to the vile text messaging, harassment, and ongoing stalking that has occurred over a period of absolutely years." The $7.3 million award was for actual and punitive damages. The woman's attorney did not respond to calls from KMBC. Lewis' family was joined by a David Clohessy, a member of SNAP, the Survivors Network for those Abused by Priests. Clohessy's message: abuse of a boy is just as serious as abuse of a girl. "If you're a child, boy or girl, and an adult is picking on you, harassing you, speak up," said Clohessy.
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