NCJ Number
190107
Journal
Howard Journal of Criminal Justice Volume: 40 Issue: 3 Dated: August 2001 Pages: 215-234
Editor(s)
Tony Fowles,
David Wilson
Date Published
August 2001
Length
20 pages
Annotation
This article attempted to build a picture of the course and nature of stalking as experienced by its victims in the United Kingdom by presenting results from a first-time stalking victims survey.
Abstract
The main aim of this research was to map in some detail the course and nature of prolonged stalking as related by British and Northern Irish victims. The article presented results from the first survey of stalking victims conducted in the United Kingdom. Ninety-five self-defined victims of stalking completed a 46-item questionnaire on their experiences and investigated the course and nature of prolonged stalking. Results indicated a pattern of repeated intrusions, a high violence risk for both victims and their loved ones, a number of abundant sources for support, and varied police response. Victims were typically female, average age when the stalking began was 34 years, and they were largely professional and clerical workers, or students. Stalkers were typically male, average age of 35 years, resided in a higher socioeconomic status than most other criminals, were ex-partners of the victim in under half of the cases, and did not necessarily operate alone. To ensure a full overview of stalking, the entire sample of respondents was utilized. Tables and references