NCJ Number
199961
Journal
Trauma, Violence, Abuse Volume: 4 Issue: 2 Dated: April 2003 Pages: 148-162
Date Published
2003
Length
15 pages
Annotation
This overview of research on stalking considers issues of definition, the nature and prevalence of stalking, its impact on victims, characteristics of victims and stalkers, stalker classification and the significance of ex-partner stalkers, and preventing and ending stalking.
Abstract
The authors advise that although no satisfactory definition of stalking exists, researchers and practitioners are referring to the same phenomenon, and there is a shared literature. Stalking is a chronic problem in which multiple stalking tactics are used by the stalker, but certain types of conduct tend to occur uniformly. Lifetime prevalence rates of stalking are apparently 12-16 percent among women and 4-7 percent among men, but these rates are dependent on the population of interest and the definition used; these statistics are also obscured by false victimization reports. Stalking victims tend to have severe economic, psychological, and social problems, some of which may result from the stalking, but which are aggravated by existing victim characteristics. Research indicates that anyone may become the victim of a stalker, but those at higher risk tend to be in highly visible jobs and have a high likelihood of frequent contacts with single people. Ex-partner stalkers compose a large subcategory of stalkers. Because their tactics, mental health, and risk of violence appear to differ from those of other stalker subtypes, further research is indicated on the evolution of stalking behaviors and tailored intervention strategies for various stalker categories. Relatively little is known about how to stop stalkers, but strategies may be directed toward the victim, the stalker, and stalking tactics. Implications are drawn for practice, policy, and research. 92 references and 4 suggested readings