Stalking
This page is dedicated to valuable resources, studies, research projects, survey reports, and articles on the subject of stalking. I plan to add more content in the future, but I hope that even at this early stage, it will provide you with new information, help you better support yourself or others, and offer a greater understanding of this critical aspect of Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG).
“Antidote For A Stalker: Our newest guide designed to generate a better understanding of the ever evolving menace of stalking,” is a book written by Detective Mike Proctor, Det. Retired.
Antidote For a Stalker, is a self-help text designed to assist the victims of stalking, law enforcement, victim advocates, educators, as well as those trying to understand this phenomenon not only in the United States, but in the European Union, and elsewhere around the world. It is arguably the most informative and best ever book written on the subject of ‘stalking’ and I can only highly recommend it.
“From verbal to physical violence: the different severity perception of stalking behaviors” by Pierluigi Cordellieri, Elena Paoli, Anna Maria Giannini, and Giulia Lausi
Stalking is a global spread phenomenon consisting in harassing, annoying, unwanted, and intrusive behaviours, often considered regular in courting. These behaviours are part of the broader range of gender-based violence. In accordance with the theory of ecological systems, this study aimed to investigate the presence of gender differences in the perception of the severity of stalking actions, considering the role of the type of violence perpetrated (physical versus verbal) and the relationship between the perpetrator and the victim (resentful ex-partner, incompetent suitor rejected, neighbour in dispute). The results showed gender differences in the main dimensions investigated by the questionnaire (moral disengagement, normlessness beliefs, empathy, and perception of the severity of stalking). In addition, the results show that the perception of severity is influenced by the type of relationship and the type of violence perpetrated, differently between men and women.
“What is Stalking?” – by the British Psychological Society
Primarily, the purpose of this exceptional resource is to support psychologist practitioners in engaging with individuals who have stalked or are stalking, to help them alter their harmful behaviour, improve their wellbeing and encourage desistance.
“A critical analysis of stalking theory and implications for research and practice” by Alice J. Parkhill, Margaret Nixon, and Troy E. McEwan, published online September 2022.
This article comprehensively reviews and critiques theories providing an aetiological account of stalking. The authors evaluate applications of pre-existing psychological theories to stalking (attachment theory, evolutionary theory, social learning theory, information processing models of aggression, coercive control theory, and behavioural theory) as well as the only novel theory of stalking to date: Relational goal pursuit theory. Their aim was to identify which are supported by research, identify gaps in theoretical scope and explanatory depth and examine how current theories might inform clinical practice. This evaluation suggests that theories of stalking are underdeveloped relative to other areas of forensic clinical psychology and the theoretical literature is relatively stagnant. Consequently, there is limited research into clinically meaningful constructs that can guide the assessment, formulation and treatment of this client group. The authors identify similarities across existing theories, discussing implications for future research and clinical practice with people who stalk.
“International perceptions of stalking and responsibility: The influence of prior relationship and severity of behavior”, by Adrian J. Scott (School of Law and Justice, Edith Cowan University), Nikki Rajakaruna (School of Law and Justice, Edith Cowan University), Lorraine Sheridan School of Psychology and Speech Pathology, Curtin University), Emma Sleath (School of Psychological, Social and Behavioural Sciences, Coventry University).
This study investigates the influence of prior relationship and severity of behaviour on perceptions of stalking and responsibility with a combined sample of 1,080 members of the community from Australia, the United States and the United Kingdom. Participants were presented with 1 of 12 versions of a hypothetical stalking scenario and responded to scale items regarding the behaviour of a male perpetrator towards a female target. Prior relationship and severity of behaviour influenced perceptions of stalking and responsibility, and the pattern of findings was consistent across the three countries. The perpetrator’s behaviour was perceived to constitute stalking and necessitate police intervention and a criminal conviction to the greatest extent when the perpetrator and victim were portrayed as strangers. In addition, the target was perceived to be the least responsible and the perpetrator was perceived to be the most responsible when they were portrayed as strangers.
“Stalking: How perceptions differ from reality and why these differences matter”, by Adrian J. Scott “Department of Psychology, Goldsmiths, University of London; School of Arts and Humanities, Edith Cowan University), 2020
Stalking is a particular type of interpersonal aggression that is difficult to define because it incorporates a range of unwanted behaviours over a protracted period that often appear routine and harmless when considered on an incident-by-incident basis. Defining stalking is further complicated because people’s perceptions are integral to determining whether a particular course of conduct constitutes stalking, whether victims identify their own experiences as stalking, and whether support networks and law officials identify other people’s experiences as stalking. This chapter outlines the difficulties associated with defining and legislating against stalking, and reviews literature examining the influence of various personal and situational characteristics on perceptions of stalking. It then considers how perceptions differ from reality and why these differences matter.
“The Impact of Stalking and Its Predictors: Characterizing the Needs of Stalking Victims” by Jennifer E. Storey, Afroditi Pina, and Cherise S. Williams, published inline July 2023
Victims of stalking suffer severe and varied impacts requiring assessment and treatment. Research to inform support is limited. This study examines a national sample of stalking victims to identify the types and prevalence of impact reported and the predictors of impact. A secondary analysis of 258 stalking cases reported to a stalking charity was conducted. Four categories of victim reported impact were coded; psychological and substance abuse, physical health, practical impact on life, and impact on others. Stalking duration, severity, the diversity of stalking behaviours, and the relationship between the victim and perpetrator were investigated as predictors of impact. In all, 48 types of impact were identified with victims experiencing an average of four types. Psychological impact was the most prevalent (91.5%). Several new forms of impact were identified including a variety of impacts on persons known to the victim (e.g., children, friends) in 35.3% of the sample. Increased diversity of stalking behaviour was predictive of impact in all models (explaining 11% of the variance in total impact scores), except for physical impact which was not analysed due to low prevalence. Stalking impact was prevalent and varied, suggesting that victims (and potentially those close to them) require trauma-informed support from clinicians.
“Research on Stalking: What Do We Know and
Where Do We Go?” By Keith E Davis (University of South Carolina) and Irene Hanson Frieze (University of Pittsburgh).
Findings of the article in this two-volume series on stalking are reviewed. Building on the findings of the National Violence Against Women Survey (Tjaden & Thoennes, 1998), this series of studies adds to the literature in defining and measuring stalking behaviours. Repeated stalking victimization is reported by up to 62% of young adults, although frequencies depend on the sample and the precise definition used. Self-definitions of stalking victimization may be quite different from legal definitions. Although most legally defined stalkers (where victim fear is a key component) are men stalking women, studies utilizing other definitions find many more women as stalkers, with no significant gender differences in many studies. In many cases, it does appear that stalking is one part of a larger pattern of relationship physical and psychological abuse. Data on emotional reactions and coping strategies of victims are also reviewed, along with findings on characteristics of stalkers.
“NEVER A VICTIM – The Definitive Guide to Women’s Safety,” written by Robert Kaiser, 2024.
NEVER A VICTIM is the result of over three decades of in-depth understanding of physical and sexual violence against women. This essential resource aims to empower you to trust your innate ability to protect yourself and stay safe. Covering 504 pages and over 110,000 words, it offers proven and reliable advice. The second part of this comprehensive book provides specific guidance on various physical and sexual crimes, including stalking.