Experiences Of Stalking Research Articles

Stalking in nurses and other health care professionals: Prevalence, consequences, and coping strategies

The aim of this study was to analyze physical and psychological symptoms, anxiety and depression, and coping strategies in a group of Italian Health Care Professional who were victims of stalking. Nurses, who are primarily involved in the physical care of patients, were compared with other types of Health Care Professionals. For research purposes, we queried a database used in previous research between 2014 and 2019. This database was created in collaboration with six hospitals in the Italian territory. 1,971 health professionals between the ages of 18 and 60 who completed an anonymous questionnaire, including 265 self-identified stalking victims (116 nurses), provided the data. The results suggest that Nurses and Health Care Professionals are equally at risk of stalking, with experiences not differing significantly by role. The data collected to date suggests that Nurses are no more likely to be victims than Health Care Professional with other roles. Overall, it appears that all victims suffer from the stalking experience and have negative feelings that affect their ability to deal with the stalker. Health care organizations can assist health care professionals by offering informational courses about the phenomenon. At the same time, strategies could be offered to address potential misconduct that, if not prevented, may lead to an escalation in the number and severity of behaviors.

The psychological consequences of stalking: cross-sectional findings in a sample of Danish help-seeking stalking victims

ABSTRACT Background: The experience of stalking presents a threat to the mental and physical health and wellbeing of victims. Although some studies have explored the impact of stalking on victims, few have gone into detail about specific mental health outcomes and their association with various types of stalking behaviour. Objective: To investigate the psychological consequences among Danish help-seeking victims of stalking who have contacted and received help through the Danish Stalking Center (DSC). Methods: We used survey-data from stalking victims who sought and received help from the DSC during 2015–2020 (N = 591). Descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, T-tests, and hierarchical logistic regression analysis were used to examine psychological distress symptoms and the relationship between psychopathological symptoms and stalking behaviour characteristics. Results: Victims reported considerable levels of stalking and psychological distress. Almost 80% of victims reported symptom levels indicative of a diagnosable disorder of PTSD, depression, or anxiety. T-test shoved that following behaviour had the greatest effect size for PTSD-symptoms (t(575) = −5.81, p < .01, d = −.58), anxiety (t(576) = −4.21, p < .01, d = −.42), and somatization (t(572) = −4.29, p < .01, d = −.43). Hierarchical logistic regression analysis showed that stalking victims who experienced following had significantly higher odds of experiencing symptoms of PTSD (OR 2.869; 95% CI, [1.641–5.016]) and anxiety (OR 2.274; 95% CI [1.265; 4.090]). Conclusion: Being stalked is associated with substantial PTSD-, affective and trauma-related symptoms and psychological distress in general. Together with the strikingly high levels of psychopathology and the particularly grave effects of being followed, it is indicated that stalking is a special type of trauma with many negative and harmful effects. Hence, further research into how to properly help stalking victims through preventive interventions and treatment is needed.

GENDER DIFFERENCES IN EXPERIENCING CYBER-BULLYING AND CYBER-STALKING AMONG YOUNG ADULTS Masooma Mubasher

This research specifically aims to investigate the prevalence of online harassment among boys and girls. A study on the perception and experiences of young adults regarding online harassment victimization has been selected with the topic "Gender differences in experiencing cyber-bullying and cyber-stalking." It offers detailed insights into their experiences and behaviours concerning cyber bullying, as well as the impact of cyber bullying on their lives and their coping strategies. This qualitative study employs a purposive sampling technique, with 12 participants (6 males and 6 females) aged 19 to 30 from various colleges and universities engaging in in-depth interviews. Thematic analysis was utilized to transcribe and analyze the interviews. The findings reveal no significant gender differences in cyber bullying and cyber stalking experiences among young adults. Both boys and girls were found to be targets of online harassment, but they often refrained from reporting such incidents due to privacy concerns. The primary challenge for future cyber bullying prevention efforts will be keeping up with the rapid advancements in technology. Keywords: Cyber bullying, cyber-stalking, social networking sites, young adults, online moral disengagement.

Online Stalking Experiences and Harms Among Female Acquaintance Stalking Victims

ABSTRACT There has been a surge of research interest in online stalking, often called cyberstalking, in recent years. The overall goal of this study was to better understand whether more invasive online stalking strategies were associated with stalking course-of-conduct, victim harms, and help-seeking. Specifically, the current study examined three groups of female acquaintance stalking victims who: (1) did not experience online stalking (n = 93, 23.8%); (2) experienced online harassment but not monitoring strategies (n = 144, 36.8%); and (3) experienced online harassment and monitoring strategies (n = 154, 39.4%). Results found that more women who experienced online monitoring endured threats, life interference, sexual harassment, stalker jealousy, and control, and more of them believed the stalker wanted revenge than the other two groups. Additionally, more women who experienced online monitoring had higher fear levels, reported more problems during the stalking, and had increased resource losses compared to the other two groups. In the multivariate analysis, online harassment and online monitoring strategies were not significantly associated with fear level, help-seeking, or ongoing problems. However, online stalking strategies co-occur with stalking intensity and frequency as well as with victim harms and should be taken seriously.

Perceptions of safety and experiences of gender-based violence at UK music festivals

Crime and safety at UK music festivals is a subject of growing concern for festival management, police and festival-goers, bolstered by increasing media coverage of incidents of sexual harassment and sexual assault. To date, however, there has been limited evidence regarding festival-goers’ experiences and perspectives concerning safety, particularly in relation to gender-based violence at music festivals. Using data from a mixed methods pilot study, this article presents the findings of a self-selecting survey of 450 festival-goers which asked respondents about their perceptions of safety and experiences of different crime and harms including gender-based violence at UK music festivals. The findings reveal that most respondents report feeling safe at festivals, but various personal, social and environmental factors may increase or reduce these feelings of safety, and these are gendered. Similarly, although experiences of acquisitive crime, hate crime and stalking were low and broadly similar for women and men, a third of women experienced sexual harassment and 8% experienced sexual assault – significantly higher than the reported levels among male respondents. We argue that festivals must work proactively with key stakeholders and agencies, as well as artists and patrons, to develop clear policies and initiatives to prevent sexual violence.

Stalking among sexual and gender minorities: A systematic literature review

Stalking is a serious public health concern in the United States that impacts approximately 1 in 6 women and 1 in 19 men, but little research has considered the stalking experiences of sexual and gender minorities (SGM). Following PRISMA methodology, this review summarizes the literature on the stalking experiences of sexual and gender minorities (SGMs). Fifteen papers were identified, and findings indicate SGM individuals experience higher rates of stalking compared to heterosexual, cisgender populations. Additionally, although SGM individuals report both similar stalking experiences to non-SGM individuals, SGM individuals also report unique stalking tactics (e.g., receiving unwanted messages from the stalker questioning their sexual orientation), correlates (e.g., minority stressors) of stalking victimization and perpetration, and outcomes compared to heterosexual, cisgender individuals (e.g., belief that university officials would not take their formal report of victimization seriously because they are SGM). A number of limitations of the extant literature were identified including small samples, cross-sectional designs, and measurement variance. This review also identified key gaps in the research regarding knowledge about risk and protective factors for victimization and perpetration, help-seeking, and outcomes of stalking among SGM populations. The absence of research that addresses SGM-specific experiences of stalking contributes to ongoing disparities in stalking and related health outcomes.

Victim reactions to being stalked: Examining the effects of perceived offender characteristics and motivations.

The current research utilized the National Crime Victimization Survey Supplemental Victimization Survey to investigate stalking in the United States. These data, collected from stalking victims, address the relationship between victims' perceptions of the stalker's motives on two post-victimization outcomes. Specifically, we examined the relationship between the victim's assessment of motive and the degree of harm they reported, along with exploring the relationship between harm and the likelihoods of engaging in self-protective behaviors. Here, harm was measured through an index of specific fears, concerns, and emotional distresses. We found that the frequency of stalking behaviors, the duration of the stalking experience, and the overall invasiveness of the victimization, in addition to certain motives, were positively correlated with harm. Furthermore, we found that harm was positively correlated with a number of protective actions. For researchers, this work may serve to provide entry points in the development of new grounded theory. For practitioners in law enforcement, this work may provide insights into the invasive nature of stalking and the fear and harm caused to the victim.

The Extent and Nature of Autistic People's Violence Experiences During Adulthood: A Cross-sectional Study of Victimisation.

This study investigated the extent and nature of violence experiences reported by autistic adults. Autistic (n = 118) and non-autistic (n = 110) adults completed a questionnaire about their experiences of sexual harassment, stalking and harassment, sexual violence and physical violence since the age of 15. Autistic adults reported higher rates of all violence types, multiple forms of violence and repeated instances of the same type of violence. Typical gender differences in the patterns of violence (more physical violence reported by men and more sexual violence reported by women) were apparent in the non-autistic but not the autistic group. Findings add to the limited research in this area and highlight the need to identify risk and protective factors. Policy and practice implications are also discussed.

Is This Stalking? Perceptions and Victimization Experiences of Stalking and Intrusive Behaviors in Hong Kong, Mainland China, and Ghana.

Many studies of stalking and intrusive behaviors are conducted with samples from individualist Western cultures, and limited information is available on such behavior in collectivist cultures. By using a sample of 1143 adults (440 males and 703 females) from Hong Kong (n = 305), mainland China (n = 464), and Ghana (n = 374), this study compares perceptions and experiences of stalking and intrusive behaviors as well as the frequency and duration of the participants’ worst experiences with such behaviors. The lifetime prevalence rate of stalking victimization for the overall sample was 34.6%, 22.3% for the Hong Kongers, 32.3% for the mainland Chinese, and 47.3% for the Ghanaians. Relative to the Hong Kongers and Ghanaians, the mainland Chinese were more likely to judge most intrusive activities as unacceptable. However, the mainland Chinese were generally less likely to have experienced the listed intrusive activities than their counterparts. The Ghanaians, in contrast, reported significantly more victimization experiences than the Hong Kongers and the mainland Chinese, especially with aggression and surveillance, unwanted attention, and persistent courtship and imposition types of behaviors. Furthermore, the mainland Chinese and Ghanaians generally reported significantly higher frequencies of stalking and intrusive behavior in their worst experiences than did the Hong Kongers. Conversely, the Hong Kongers and Ghanaians reported significantly more persistent types of stalking and intrusive behaviors than the mainland Chinese. The results of this study indicate the need for anti-stalking legislation in Hong Kong, mainland China, and Ghana, given the devastating nature and consequences of stalking and intrusive behaviors there.

Exploring the experiences of stalking within one Scottish health board: a survey of mental health professionals

ABSTRACT In recent years, the prevalence of stalking within the mental health profession has received considerable attention. Despite this focus, much less is known about the experience of stalking both in and out of the workplace and actions taken in response to stalking. This study aimed to examine the extent, characteristics and impact of stalking behaviours on mental health staff employed in one NHS Health Board in Scotland. A questionnaire was distributed to all mental health staff. Of the 353 responses, 31% (n = 108) had experienced stalking according to the legal definition. Of those who had experienced stalking at work 54% (n = 37) were stalked by a patient, 30% (n = 21) by a colleague, 6% (n = 4) by a patient’s relative or carer and 10% (n = 7) were stalked by someone else at work. Over half of the respondents who had experienced stalking believed their stalker had a psychiatric disorder. The most common ‘type’ of stalker identified was ‘incompetent suitor. Stalking had a negative impact on the wellbeing of staff. These findings have important implications for healthcare services in both the clinical care of patients and healthcare policy to address staff experiences of stalking.

Gender- and power sensitivity, securitisation and social peace: rethinking protection for children exposed to post-separation violence

This article offers a rethinking of protection based on synthesised data from Finland and Sweden on children’s and mothers’ experiences of post-separation stalking, and social workers’ case reports on children risking exposure to gender-based violence after separation. Drawing on critical childhood studies and a feminist approach to violence and security, we ask how children’s everyday lives can be incorporated in a rethinking of protection for children in post-separation contexts. Departing from identified limitations in protective solutions for children, we propose three ways of rethinking the issue of protection: (1) protection as gender- and power sensitivity, (2) protection as securitising the here and now, and (3) protection as social peace. Our findings call for some changes in professional practices, social policy and legislation.

Prevalence of Stalking Among Justice Professionals in Portugal.

Despite the growing interest from researchers' in recent years, stalking is a phenomenon of difficult operationalization within the scientific community. Examining the phenomenon in criminal justice professionals has become relevant since the work context is considered a fertile environment for the presence of stalking, despite underreported. This study aims specifically to know the prevalence, nature, dynamics, impact, and help-seeking behaviors (and its perceived effectiveness) of stalking victimization by criminal justice professionals stalked in Portugal. We were also interested in the professionals' perceptions of why they were stalked. The data were collected through a web-based survey, after the approval of the ethic committee. The sample was composed of 270 criminal justice professionals, mostly men (59.3%), with a mean age of 42.70 (SD = 9.07) years. The results showed that 24.8% reported having been stalked at least once in their lifetime. Stalking prevalence was higher in women compared to men. Concerning the profession, the highest prevalence was verified in the group of professionals composed of lawyers, jurists, court officials, and auditors, followed by the group of magistrates, and finally the judges and the criminal police. More diversity of stalking behaviors experienced was associated with a higher frequency of those behaviors. Psychological health (70.7%) and lifestyle/behavioral changes (62.1%) were the most reported areas of impact. Being stalked in a private context (e.g., intimate relationships), for a longer period and feeling a higher level of fear as a result of the stalking campaign were associated with more impact. Most of the victims (74.6%) revealed having sought help to cope with the stalking experience, with women seeking more help than men (88.6% vs. 59.4%). For bringing evidence that criminal justice professionals are at risk of being stalked, these findings can contribute to the adoption of policies and strategies to prevent stalking victimization among this population.

Examining Stalking Assault by Victim Gender, Stalker Gender, and Victim-Stalker Relationship

The overall goals of this study were to explore factors associated with stalking assault and factors associated with stalking-related fear among those who were, and who were not, assaulted by victim gender. Men (n = 254) and women (n = 560) stalking victims were recruited through a crowdsourcing website and surveyed about their stalking experiences. Overall, one-third of stalking victims were assaulted. However, almost half of women were assaulted by (ex)partner stalkers compared to about one-quarter of women stalked by acquaintances or strangers. Additionally, about one-third of men were assaulted regardless of their relationship to the stalker. Three main findings are discussed including: (1) stalking assault rates and stalking-related fear levels differ by victim gender which may be, in part, because more women are stalked by males and by (ex)partners; (2) prior violence to the victim, threats, and frequency of confrontation were associated with stalking assault regardless of victim gender; and (3) among those not assaulted, threats and the stalker not caring about severe consequences was associated with stalking-related fear regardless of victim gender, but other factors associated with stalking-related fear differed by victim gender and assault experience. Arrest and increased concern for victim safety by professionals often hinges on physical violence and victim injury. However, educating professionals who work with stalking victims about the factors associated with assault, as well as the full range of harms and risks beyond assault, is crucial to supporting victims and holding stalkers accountable for the crime of stalking.

The Phenomenology of Group Stalking ('Gang-Stalking'): A Content Analysis of Subjective Experiences.

Epidemiological data suggest that as many as 0.66% of adult women and 0.17% of adult men in the western world may suffer the subjective experience of being group-stalked (‘gang stalked’) at some point in their lives. Yet the gang stalking experience has been subject to little scientific study. This paper reports an attempt to elicit the core phenomena involved in gang-stalking by allowing them to emerge de novo through the qualitative analysis of accounts of individuals who describe being gang-stalked. Fifty descriptions of gang-stalking that satisfied study inclusion criteria were identified from the internet and subjected to content analysis. Twenty-four core phenomena were elicited, together with 11 principal sequelae of the experience of being gang-stalked. These were then divided into groups, producing a framework for the phenomena of the gang-stalking experience. The results were compared with frequencies of the same categories of experience then extracted from the original data of the only previous study on gang-stalking phenomena. Whilst the methodology of the current study was more rigorous, the core phenomena were similar in each. The current study confirmed the seriousness of the sequelae of the gang-stalking experience. These support the need for further exploration of the phenomenon, for which this study forms a basis.

Stalking and Intrusive Behaviors in Ghana: Perceptions and Victimization Experiences.

Most studies of stalking and other forms of intrusive behavior are conducted in the West. Little is known about the phenomenon in the African context. The present work represents the first dedicated stalking study conducted in Ghana. Based on a sample of 371 male and female university students, this study explored the gender distribution of overall perceptions and experiences, and frequency and duration of personal worst experiences of stalking and intrusive behavior. Several significant gender differences were noted. Females were generally more likely than males to perceive a range of intrusive activities as unacceptable. Females and males were equally likely to have experienced aggression and surveillance, and unwanted attention types of behaviors, while males were more likely than females to have experienced persistent courtship and impositions, and courtship and information seeking types of behaviors. In respect of their worst experience of intrusive behavior, females were more likely to report unwanted communications, aggressive courtship, property damage, and harassment of third parties, whilst males were more likely to have been threatened with harm. More than half of our participants (55.5%) were judged to have been stalked. Given the devastating nature and impact of stalking victimization, the findings may provide impetus to increase awareness of stalking in Ghana and add urgency to calls for anti-stalking legislation.

Experiences of Sexual Harassment, Stalking, and Sexual Assault During Military Service Among LGBT and Non-LGBT Service Members.

Sexual victimization, including sexual harassment and assault, remains a persistent problem in the U.S. military. Service members identifying as lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender (LGBT) may face enhanced risk, but existing research is limited. We examined experiences of sexual harassment, stalking, and sexual assault victimization during service in a sample of LGBT and non-LGBT active duty service members. Service members who identified as LGBT (n = 227 LGB, n = 56 transgender) or non-LGBT (n = 276) were recruited using respondent-driven sampling for an online survey. Logistic regression models examined the correlates of sexual and stalking victimization. Victimization was common among LGBT service members, including sexual harassment (80.7% LGB, 83.9% transgender), stalking (38.6% LGB, 30.4% transgender), and sexual assault (25.7% LGB, 30.4% transgender). In multivariable models, LGB identity remained a significant predictor of sexual harassment, OR = 4.14, 95% CI [2.21, 7.78]; stalking, OR = 1.98, 95% CI [1.27, 3.11]; and assault, OR = 2.07, 95% CI [1.25, 3.41]. A significant interaction between LGB identity and sex at birth, OR = 0.34, 95% CI [0.13, 0.88], suggests an elevated sexual harassment risk among male, but not female, LGB service members. Transgender identity predicted sexual harassment and assault at the bivariate level only. These findings suggest that LGBT service members remain at an elevated risk of sexual and/or stalking victimization. As the military works toward more integration and acceptance of LGBT service members, insight into victimization experiences can inform tailored research and intervention approaches aimed at prevention and care for victims.

An Examination of Stalking Experiences During Military Service Among Female and Male Veterans and Associations With PTSD and Depression.

Stalking is associated with mental health concerns, although little is known about the influence of stalking and mental health concerns among veterans. This study evaluated stalking experienced during military service in two community-based, nonclinical samples of veterans (N = 1,980). Models explored (a) types of stalking, (b) characteristics of veterans who experienced stalking, and (c) the associations between stalking with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression. Types of stalking varied by sex; female veterans were significantly more likely to experience stalking than male veterans (58.5% vs. 34.6%, p < .001, respectively). Female veterans reported unwanted messages, emails, or phone calls (37.2%), and male veterans experienced someone showing up unannounced or uninvited (23.5%) most frequently. Stalking experiences also differed by age with female and male veterans 18 to 39 years old significantly more likely to have experienced stalking (p < .001 and p < .001, respectively) than veterans over age 40. Associations between prior stalking experiences and mental distress were found for both female and male veterans. Both female and male veterans who experienced stalking were significantly more likely to have probable PTSD (odds ratio [OR] = 1.88, 95% confidence interval [CI] = [1.04, 3.39] and OR = 3.08, 95% CI = [2.27, 4.18], respectively) and depression (OR = 2.54, 95% CI = [1.38, 4.58] and OR = 2.78, 95% CI = [2.05, 3.79], respectively). These findings highlight (a) the rates of stalking experienced during military service, (b) the need for assessment of stalking to inform treatment, and (c) lay the foundation for the Department of Defense (DoD) to further evaluate stalking among military populations.

Examining Stalking Experiences and Outcomes for Men and Women Stalked by (Ex)partners and Non-partners

National data suggests that more women meet a stalking definition that includes fear or concern for safety than men. However, less research has focused on how experiences of stalking may differ for men compared to women who were stalked and were afraid or concerned for their safety. This study examined stalker gender, course-of-conduct, threats and safety efficacy, and the association of those factors on stalking-related fear and mental health outcomes for men (n = 218) and women (n = 478) stalked by (ex)partners (n = 285) and non-partners (n = 411) within the past 5 years. Results showed that women had higher stalking-related-fear; but they were also more likely to be targeted by male (ex)partner stalkers than men. Even so, men who were stalked by males had higher stalking-related fear, after controlling for other factors, than men who were stalked by women. Further, (ex)partner stalkers were more threatening, interfering, and assaultive than non-partner stalkers. Safety efficacy, or perceived capability in handling a threatening situation, played a key role in mental health outcomes for both men and women stalking victims. Also, one-third of stalking victims, regardless of stalker type, indicated they also experienced proxy stalking. The study results suggest that characteristics of the stalking situation impacts fear and mental health outcomes, and that assessment and safety planning should consider both features of the stalking experience and safety efficacy of victims. Future research studies need to expand the repertoire of safety planning, and their effectiveness, to better address safety as well as to ameliorate mental health consequences.

The continuum of sexual trauma: An examination of stalking and sexual assault in former US service members

ABSTRACTThe experience of stalking is an understudied yet essential factor in the prevention of sexual violence. Along with the devastating impact stalking can have on physical and psychological health, stalking can also act along a continuum of harm, creating environments that are conducive to sexual assault. The purpose of the study was to explore incidents of stalking in individuals who served in the US military, as well as the increased risk of reporting sexual assault in those who also report experiencing stalking. Data were collected on 1,035 Chicago, IL Veterans who participated in a large 2016 needs assessment study. Stalking during military service was reported by approximately 35% of Veterans in the sample. Among men, experiences of stalking during service conferred nearly 18 times greater odds of reporting MSA and a 5 times greater risk among women. Results demonstrate concerning rates of stalking experiences within the sample and indicate individuals who experience stalking may be at increased risk of experiencing sexual assault. Sexual assault prevention should move toward the inclusion of preventing, recognizing, and reporting of stalking behaviors in an effort not only to address the occurrence of stalking, but to reduce escalating behaviors along the sexual trauma continuum.

Health Care Professionals' Knowledge of Stalking Perpetrators, Victims, Behaviors, and Coping Strategies: A Preliminary Study among Italian Hospitals.

The aim of this study was to investigate health care professionals' level of in-depth understanding about the various types and characteristics of stalking. In particular, the study examines knowledge on the characteristics of stalkers and their victims, acted behaviors, and coping strategies used to stop the harassment. The data were collected by means of an ad hoc questionnaire. The sample comprised 210 participants working in local health units in Turin, a large city located in the northern part of Italy. The majority were women (160, 76.2%). The participants were aged 20–64 years, and the mean age was 41.63 years (SD = 11.18). The majority of participants were psychologists (99, 47.1%), 31 (14.8%) were nurses, 31 (14.8%) had an unspecified medical profession, 29 (13.8%) were psychiatrists, and 20 (9.5%) were general practitioners. According to the findings, interventions with male victims of stalking, especially when the stalker is a woman, require attention in particular. Underestimating the stalking experience is a risk, so health care professionals in their interventions must explain to the men the emotive and physical consequences of the victimization. Moreover, in suggesting coping strategies, health care professionals must consider the victim's fear of reporting the incident not only to law enforcement authorities but also to family and friends. The findings showed that health care professionals need a better understanding of the stalking phenomenon. Education courses are a valuable tool to identify characteristics of the phenomenon, validate existing knowledge, and decrease the level of missing information to develop the skills needed to take appropriate action in cases of stalking.