http://www.theage.com.au/news/technology/biztech/virtual-crime-is-on-therise/
2008/11/03/1225560726242.html.

The writer digests a series of cases from many jurisdictions and the issues of “Theft,” “Sex and Relationships,” and “Fraud.”

Available at http://blog.wired.com/games/2008/03/uk-politician-c.html.

This blogger for Wired magazine attacks claims by MP Kenneth Vaz that certain video games allow rape.

http://secondlife.com/support/incidentreport.php.

The 25 most recent Second Life infractions as compiled by Linden Lab.

http://www.netfamilynews.org/2004/06/game-includes-virtual-rape.html.

The game Sociolotron features sexual fetish gameplay and claims it is “among the darkest and most depraved secrets of the world.” A parents’ group complains of the ease of access available to minors.

http://secondtense.blogspot.com/2007/05/virtual-rape-seriously-seriously.html.

This blogger considers whether virtual worlds have no real-world effects -- touching upon sexual harassment and saying that “No one volunteers for sexual harassment, or to be exposed to it.”

congressman says. Available at http://news.cnet.com/8301-10784_3-9937956-7.html.

An Illinois polician and Linden Lab debate over educational institutions’ access to Second Life, the medium’s content, and minors’ access to the adult areas of the site.

on the Internet. Available at http://www.citynews.ca/news/news_28271.aspx.

The Simon Wiesenthal Center considers the growth of hate sites online.

http://cybergrrloh.blogspot.com/2007/12/second-life-harassment-caged.html.

An account follows of harassment in Second Life. An online griefer tries to get Linden Dollars from an experienced Second Lifer and a new user, putting them both into virtual cages.

Available at http://www.lionboards.com/index.html

Legal analysis about incidents of virtual crime, including online sexual assault.

http://www.findingdulcinea.com/news/entertainment/September-October-08/
The-Ethics-of-a-Sex-Life-in-Your-Second-Life.html.

An article about avatar sex and whether real-life partners are harmed, noting how participation online affects real world actions.

http://www.salon.com/mwt/broadsheet/2007/05/07/virtual_rape/index.html

A commentator continues the discussion on virtual rape, referencing other commentators, and notes that extreme online sexual harassment should be punished but not confused with actual rape.

sleeping with the entire NYT tech section?
Available at http://gawker.com/354785/okay-which-secondlife-employee-is sleeping-with-the-entire-nyt-tech-section.

Mainstream media coverage of Second Life is described as “finally receding” from its hype, referencing a Forbes article about virtual sex.

http://www.villagevoice.com/2005-10-18/specials/a-rape-in-cyberspace.

Virtual worlds are not strangers to griefing behavior. This article from 1993 describes one such incident in the text-based LambdaMOO.

the sociopaths of the virtual world. Wired Magazine. Available at
http://www.wired.com/gaming/virtualworlds/magazine/16-02/mf_goons.

An account of “a mass of undiluted digital jackassery” on Second Life. This group of griefers rejoices in “ruining your Second Life since 2006.”

http://www.secondlifeherald.com/slh/2006/11/the_problems_of.html.

This article describes the Gorean slavery/domination community on Second Life. Goreans have existed on Second Life since 2005.

Available at http://cerise.theirisnetwork.org/archives/891.

An analysis of real vs. online rape and the challenge of freeing the virtual world of harassing behaviors.

http://www.secondlifeherald.com/slh/2006/02/diary_of_a_gore.html.

A person with “abandonment experiences” describes the Gorean slavery/domination community in Second Life.

http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=1097392.

A legal analysis on real-vs.-virtual crime and how the latter lacks physical attributes, making it difficult for criminal prosecution with punishment best left to gaming administrators.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/
RTGAM.20070726.wgtIBM0726/BNStory/Technology/home.

This writer for the Associated Press cites the increasing amount of commerce taking place in virtual worlds and issues of harassment and regulation online.

Available at http://www.slentre.com/cybercrime-and-fantasy-crime-the-law-in-virtual-worlds/.

A legal analysis of real vs. online acts that may or may not pose harm, including virtual rape.

http://www.cnn.com/2008/TECH/11/03/anger.second.life/index.html.

This correspondent for CNN interviews users, surveying incidences of flaming on Second Life.

http://www.cnn.com/2008/TECH/11/03/angry.internet/index.html.

The correspondent continues, this time, interviewing academics. He concludes that the subjects and content of online anger is widespread – from online games, college sports, MySpace, and Second Life.

http://www.wired.com/culture/lifestyle/commentary/sexdrive/2007/05/sexdrive_
0504.

This commentator for Wired admits that “rape in virtual spaces is not unheard of,” but goes on to question whether its investigation is a matter for law enforcement.

http://slate.msn.com/id/2196199.

Google’s attempt to create a virtual world is evaluated, noting that people who take to virtual worlds tend to be looking for cybersex, among other things. Author also notes that "Second Life has been held up as a bastion for disabled people, who use it as a way to fantasize about life in other bodies."

Available at http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-andtech/
features/rhodri-marsden-can-we-call-in-the-law-about-virtual-crimes-in-onlineworlds-
976609.html.

This commentator considers compensation culture for in-world crimes and virtual appropriation of other users’ data.

Available at http://jcmc.indiana.edu/vol2/issue4/mackinnon.html.

This theorist provides a thoroughly comprehensive analysis of online sexual assault.

at http://www.secondlifeherald.com/slh/2007/06/robin_lindens_b.html.

Linden Lab’s avatars interact with users regarding the company’s new policies of intolerance. The idea of standards for offensive behavior is discussed. Linden Lab emphasizes, "We have tried to create a world where everyone takes responsibility for their own actions, within some broadly stated guidelines called the community standards."

http://abcnews.go.com/TheLaw/story?id=6281225&page=1.

Technology’s interaction with society is discussed in coverage of the Lori Drew trial concerning a hoax perpetuated on an insecure 13-year-old girl who committed suicide.

http://www.secondlifeherald.com/slh/2007/02/intersexed_avat.html.

A study by the Second Life Herald considers members involved in “fetish-oriented ageplay” and groups dedicating to acting out various incestuous, pedophilic, or hermaphroditic sexual fantasies.

http://www.secondlifeherald.com/slh/2007/03/ageplay_sex_gro.html.

An evaluation is made of Linden Lab’s attempted crackdown on certain fetish-related groups.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/4611161/Rapelay-virtual-rape-game-banned-by-

Amazon.html.

A report on Amazon's banning a virtual rape game that not only simulates the crime but also forces women to have an abortion.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2008/nov/13/second-life-divorce.

A correspondent for The Guardian covers the consequences of action for a married couple in the virtual world.

Paintings. Available at http://www.secondlifeherald.com/slh/2007/07/child-porn-raid.html.

Virtual child pornography and Linden Lab’s response are discussed.

Available at http://www.canada.com/topics/news/national/story.html?id=1deda71c-f191-413f-bafd-a153202f5f41.

A report for Canwest News Service quotes groups saying online safeguards to protect children have been subverted.

County Register. Available at http://www.ocregister.com/articles/virtual-worlds-life-2019749-second-online.

The article identifies four keys of online conduct which the author finds analogous to kindergarten. The article includes an anecdote about a Cisco Systems employee who was fired but could still access Second Life over the weekend and whose avatar was "running around partly clad, sexually harassing people."

Available at http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=avatar-acts

An analysis in Scientific American about legal consequences of real-vs.online acts, including rape.