Community perceptions of stalking: What are the fundamental concerns?

Abstract

The present study sought to examine community conceptions of what constitutes stalking by manipulating the role of intent to cause harm or fear (present or absent), consequences to the victim (extreme fear, moderate fear, no fear) and offender‐victim relationship (stranger, ex‐intimate, acquaintance) in an alleged stalking scenario. 540 participants from the Melbourne (Australia) community read a vignette detailing persistent and potentially harassing conduct by a male directed towards a female. Results indicated that participants classified stalking according to the actions of the accused, such as following, telephoning and watching the target The presence or absence of intentions to cause harm or fear, the consequences to the victim, and the relationship of the target to the accused played no role in the identification of behaviour as stalking. Results are discussed in terms of the fundamental concems of the community and the scope of the criminal law, particularly stalking legislation.