NCJ Number
213549
Journal
Victims & Offenders Volume: 1 Issue: 1 Dated: 2006 Pages: 47-60
Date Published
2006
Length
14 pages
Annotation
This study reviewed 60 cases in the prosecutors' files of 2 New Jersey counties in the spring of 2002, in order to characterize behaviors in stalking cases.
Abstract
Consistent with previous literature on stalking, the primary stalker was male (n=56), and the primary victim was female. Most stalkers had no legal status in relation to the victim. Although victims may have had a previous legal marital status with the stalker, at the time the case was processed, 67 percent of the victims were either single or divorced from the stalker. Most stalkers had some type of current relationship with the victim or had previously had an intimate relationship with the victim. In 23 percent of the cases, weapons were used in the course of the stalking that resulted in serious injury to the victim. Cases were characterized as domestic cases (n=54) and erotomania or delusional stalking cases (n=6). Four of the case studies pertained to domestic violence. In all of these cases the stalker's behavior was apparently a desperate attempt to establish, continue, or re-establish a domestic intimate relationship. Gaining and maintaining control over the victim's behaviors and emotions was important to the stalker. One of the cases presented involved a father stalking his son after the son told his father he was gay. One case described involved erotomanic delusions, which consists of temporary psychotic episodes in which the stalker is convinced that the victim reciprocates his affection and, given time and persistence, will share his desire for intimacy. 16 references