WASHINGTON (AP) — The way the FBI responded to Jill Kelley’s complaint about receiving harassing emails that ultimately unraveled or scarred the careers of ex-CIA Director David Petraeus and Marine Gen. John Allen is the exception, not the rule.

The FBI commonly declines to pursue cyberstalking cases without compelling evidence of serious or imminent harm to an individual.

That’s what victims of online harassment, along with advocacy groups and computer crime experts, tell The Associated Press.

But in the sensational episode that uncovered Petraeus’ affair the FBI’s cyberdivision devoted months of investigative work to uncover who had sent insulting and anonymous messages about Kelley.

She’s the Florida socialite who was friendly with Petraeus and Allen — and friends with a veteran FBI counterterrorism agent in Tampa.