NCJ Number
187274
Date Published
November 2000
Length
6 pages
Annotation
This paper examines stalking trends in three Australian jurisdictions.
Abstract
The paper includes information from police and courts in Victoria, South Australia, and Queensland. To date, research on the characteristics of stalking behaviors, including the impact upon victims and attributes of offenders, has been characterized by forensic investigations into the psychological profiles of stalkers, with occasional excursions into the area by sociologists, feminists, and policy makers. This paper contributes research on criminal justice system practices relating to stalking. All three jurisdictions had a relatively high level of reporting stalking to the police, but there were substantial differences in the number of charges ultimately cleared and the number resulting in imposition of a sentence. The paper recommends that criminal justice system interventions and future research priorities include: (1) addressing weaknesses in the legislation, specifically with regard to intent, overbreadth, and credible threat; (2) provision of training for police units; (3) recognition of the necessity for sustained intervention; (4) devising effective research agendas; and (5) investigating community awareness. Tables, figures, bibliography