Stalking
Unwanted repeated surveillance or contact causing fear or intimidation.
Stalking is unwanted or repeated surveillance or contact by an individual or group toward another person. It is interrelated to harassment and intimidation and may include following the victim in person or monitoring them. The term is used with differing definitions in psychiatry, psychology, and some legal jurisdictions as a term for a criminal offense.
- field
- Psychology, Criminology, Law
- known_for
- Unwanted repeated surveillance or contact causing fear or intimidation
- legal_status
- Illegal in most areas of the world, though some contributing actions may be legal
- victim_impact
- 91.5% of victims experience psychological impact; 24% consider or attempt suicide
Lore & Background
The term 'stalking' was initially used by media in the 20th century to describe people who pester and harass others, with specific reference to the harassment of celebrities by strangers described as 'obsessed.' This use appears to have been coined by the tabloid press in the United States. Prior to that, terms such as 'female harassment,' 'obsessive following,' or 'psychological rape' were more common. Stalking is distinct from harassment, as it involves repeated behaviors and contact. Some scholars suggest the moral wrong of stalking is not well defined and propose it is an attempt to force a personal connection and relationship on a victim. Cultural norms affect how stalking is defined; scholars note that most men and women admit engaging in stalking-like behaviors after a breakup but stop over time, suggesting low levels of unwanted pursuit for a short time may be normative in U.S. heterosexual dating relationships. People characterized as stalkers may have a mistaken belief that another person loves them (erotomania) or that they need rescuing. Intimate-partner stalkers are the most dangerous type. In the UK, most stalkers are former partners, and stalking facilitated by mental illness accounts for only a minority of cases. Some scholars propose stalkers have an insecure attachment style contributing to borderline and narcissistic personality characteristics. Alternative theories include social learning, evolutionary theory, and behavioral theories where stalking repeats if rewarded.
Reader's Guide
Stalking represents a significant social and legal issue because it involves a series of actions that, individually, may be legal but collectively constitute a criminal offense when they breach the legal definition of harassment. The difficulties in defining stalking stem from overlapping accepted courtship behaviors and stalking behaviors, requiring context to determine if a specific action is stalking. The psychological impact on victims is extensive: 91.5% experience psychological effects including fear of death, anxiety, intrusive thoughts, panic attacks, PTSD, and depression; 24% have considered or attempted suicide. Victims often take coping measures, with 97.4% making changes to escape the stalker, though serious measures like moving home occur only in very serious cases. Stalking has been described as a form of mental assault and a close relationship, albeit a disjunctive one where participants have opposing goals. The legacy of stalking research includes recognizing that most stalkers are former partners, not strangers, and that cultural norms influence what behaviors are considered stalking.
Did You Know?
- The term 'stalker' was initially used by media in the 20th century to describe people who pester and harass others, coined by the tabloid press in the United States.
- In the UK, most stalkers are former partners, and stalking facilitated by mental illness accounts for only a minority of cases.
- 91.5% of stalking victims experience a psychological impact, and 24% have considered or attempted suicide.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Stalking in Crime & Justice 1-24?
Stalking refers to the repeated, unwanted surveillance or contact one person or group directs at another, creating a sense of fear or intimidation. It overlaps closely with harassment and can involve physically following a target or monitoring their activities.
Which academic and legal fields does Stalking fall under?
The concept spans psychology, criminology, and law, with each discipline applying its own definitions and frameworks. In some jurisdictions it is codified as a specific criminal offense, while psychiatry and psychology treat it as a behavioral pattern.
Is Stalking illegal everywhere?
In most regions of the world, stalking is explicitly illegal, though certain individual actions that contribute to it may remain lawful on their own. The cumulative, repeated pattern is what typically triggers criminal liability rather than any single act.
What impact does Stalking have on its victims?
Roughly 91.5% of those targeted report significant psychological effects from the experience. Alarmingly, about 24% of victims have considered or attempted suicide as a result of the sustained fear and intimidation.
How does Stalking differ from ordinary harassment?
While the two overlap heavily, stalking specifically emphasizes the repeated, targeted nature of the surveillance or contact directed at a particular individual. The defining element is the persistent, unwanted focus on one person rather than a broader pattern of disruptive behavior.
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