NCJ Number
191021
Journal
Criminal Justice Review Volume: 25 Issue: 2 Dated: Autumn 2000 Pages: 246-262
Editor(s)
Richard J. Terrill
Date Published
2000
Length
17 pages
Annotation
This paper reviewed research to date on stalking and proposed new direction for future research on stalking and the criminal justice policy.
Abstract
Stalking has been defined as the willful, repeated, and malicious following, harassing, or threatening of another person. Stalking has been increasingly targeted as a problem in need of social and legal control. To date, the focus on stalking has been on incidents between strangers. However, recent research has shown that the majority of stalking incidents involve individuals who are acquainted or who are or have been intimates, with a high correlation between stalking and domestic violence. This paper was a review of the research on stalking with emphasis placed on providing a new direction for future policy and research on stalking. It covered the emergence of stalking as a problem, the definition of stalking and the behaviors that it encompasses, the criminal justice response to stalking, and the link between domestic violence and stalking. The link between domestic violence and stalking is seen as critical. To formulate an adequate policy and legal response to both, there must be a thorough understanding of the connections between the two. Any criminal justice policy on domestic violence will likely affect the potential for subsequent stalking. Determining the characteristics of domestic violence stalkers aids in understanding the problem and identifying an improved response. It was recommended more research on stalking in general be conducted, specifically exploring the link between domestic violence and stalking. References