Threats, intimidation, black mail etc. are all certainly matters for law-enforcement, but what does that have to do with anonymity? Whether someone threatens me face-to-face or anonymously, I will still go to the police.RainbowJude wrote: A little Internet research reveals that if the letter is threatening, then legal action can be taken against the perpetrator should his/her identity be discovered. If the threats have been ongoing, the matter may be taken even more seriously.
In any case as far as I can tell, the spiteful letters in the book are really anonymous hate mail. There is no attempt to threaten or extort. The author on page 75 of my book describes them as "a few sentences of spite and hurtfulness, with perhaps a little truth in them." BTW, I am by no means arguing that this is ok. I have already said this is unethical, but I remain unsure as to whether it merits criminal prosecution. Personally I would send Mrs. Moon for a psych evaluation instead of a prison, esp. since she also has no real motive.
Incidentally in reality anonymous letters are not uncommon. The internet in particular has expanded the scope for anonymous hate mail exponentially. But short of there being actual threats to do damage, it is usually not reported to law-enforcement. Abusive stuff usually gets binned/deleted. The only exceptions might be people in positions of power, to whom such mail may constitute a security threat. But that is a whole different issue.
To the recipient of hate comments, the difference is immaterial. Even in the case of solicited feedback, there are several disgruntled persons, who would use the opportunity to rant and whine and generally be spiteful. If the intent is to be spew venom, you can always find various means of doing so. Further, even here you could find instances of threats and intimidation (and suicide and homicide notes), which would need to be handed over to law-enforcement.RainbowJude wrote: There is a vast difference between an elicited feedback form that allows the participant to remain anonymous and an anonymous letter like those we've seen in The Mystery of the Spiteful Letters.