NCJ Number
197405
Journal
Trauma, Violence, and Abuse: A Review Journal Volume: 3 Issue: 4 Dated: October 2002 Pages: 261-288
Date Published
October 2002
Length
28 pages
Annotation
This article describes stalking behavior by offering new typologies for this behavior, coping responses to stalking, and a discussion of stalking victimization.
Abstract
Stalking behavior is the focus of this journal article. Analyzing instances of stalking behavior provides new typologies of stalking behavior, mechanisms for coping with stalking, and symptomology due to stalking victimization. Asserting that stalking is a relatively recent crime begun in the 1990’s, the author defines stalking and stalking-related phenomenon as the intentional, unwanted harassment or pursuit of one individual by another. Focusing on structural and perceptual approaches to the issue of stalking, this article argues that different approaches to unwanted pursuit require distinct research agendas. Describing the research presented in this study, the author details the 103 studies of stalking and stalking-related phenomenon, representing 108 samples, analyzed in this work. In this research, 68,615 participants were asked questions about stalking and stalking-related phenomenon. Results indicate that stalking occurred for 23.5 percent of the women and 10.5 percent of the men. Lasting for an average of 2 years, stalking victims were 75 percent female, with 77 percent of stalking and stalking-related phenomenon being associated with a prior acquaintance and 49 percent being associated with a previous romantic relationship. The author developed a seven-category typology of stalking strategies including hyperintimacy; pursuit, proximity, and surveillance; invasion; proxy pursuit; intimidation; coercion and restraint; and aggression in order to characterize stalking behavior. Focusing on stalking coping tactics, the author presents a typology of victims moving toward, away, against, inward, and outward from their pursuers. This article concludes noting the seriousness of stalking behaviors and the importance of stalking victims seeking counseling. Tables, appendix, references