International Perceptions of Stalking and Responsibility

Abstract

This study investigates the influence of prior relationship and severity of behavior on perceptions of stalking and responsibility with a combined sample of 1,080 members of the community from Australia, the United States, and the United kingdom. Participants were presented with 1 of 12 versions of a hypothetical stalking scenario and responded to scale items regarding the behavior of a male perpetrator toward a female target. Prior relationship and severity of behavior influenced perceptions of stalking and responsibility, and the pattern of findings was consistent across the three countries. The perpetrator's behavior was perceived to constitute stalking, and necessitate police intervention and a criminal conviction to the greatest extent when the perpetrator and target were portrayed as strangers. In addition, the target was perceived to be the least responsible and the perpetrator was perceived to be the most responsible when they were portrayed as strangers.

“It's Not Really Stalking If You Know the Person”: Measuring Community Attitudes That Normalize, Justify and Minimise Stalking

“…Ambiguous scenarios are more likely to be considered stalking when the behaviour is more persistent (either repeated for longer or more frequent), explicitly threatening, and there is clear intent to harm on the part of the perpetrator (Dennison, 2007;Dennison & Thomson, 2002;Phillips et al, 2004;Scott et al, 2014). Sheridan and Scott's (2010) findings suggest that people rely mostly on evidence of overt aggression when identifying stalking, to the exclusion of other indicators.…”

“…When presented with short stalking vignettes in which the prior relationship between victim and stalker is manipulated, all respondents, whether male or female, general community or police officers, are more likely to identify unwanted intrusions by strangers as stalking. Strangers are also judged to present a greater threat and require more police response than ex-partners or acquaintances (Hills & Taplin, 1998;Phillips, Quirk, Rosenfeld, & O'Connor, 2004;Scott, Lloyd, & Gavin, 2010;Scott, Nixon, & Sheridan, 2013;Scott et al, 2014;Sheridan, Gillett, Davies, Blaauw, & Patel, 2003;Weller, Hope, & Sheridan, 2013). Recent research by Scott and colleagues (2013) and Weller and colleagues (2013) demonstrates that even among police who have specialist training or direct experience with stalking cases, stranger stalkers are viewed as more problematic or a greater threat.…”

“…There is conflicting evidence about whether or not victimisation or specialised education/training affects reported perceptions of stalking, meaning that this area requires further research (cf. Scott et al, 2014 andWeller et al, 2013). Understanding how increased knowledge of stalking may affect mental representations of the behaviour is key to determining whether specialised training or awareness campaigns are a worthwhile investment.…”

“…Perceptions of stalking affect whether perpetrators understand their behaviour to be problematic, whether targets recognise victimisation and, if they do, whether they are able to obtain assistance from others. The perceptions of health professionals, police officers, friends and family members must match those of the victim if their concerns are to be recognised and responded to appropriately (Scott, Rajakaruna, Sheridan, & Sleath, 2014).…”

The influence of contextual information regarding the breakdown of relationships and perpetrator-target sex composition on perceptions of relational stalking

“…For example, Hills and Taplin (1998) examined perceptions from the perspective of the 'victim' with an Australian student sample and found that behaviour is more likely to be perceived as fear invoking and as requiring intervention when perpetrated by a stranger rather than an ex-partner. Similarly, research examining perceptions from the perspective of an 'observer' with Australian, U.K. and U.S. student and community samples has found that behaviour is more likely to be perceived as stalking and as requiring intervention when perpetrated by a stranger rather than an ex-partner (e.g., Cass, 2011;Phillips, Quirk, Rosenfeld, & O'Connor, 2004;Scott, Rajakaruna et al, 2014;Sheridan, Gillett, Davies, Blaauw, & Patel, 2003). Behaviour is also more likely to be perceived as causing the target alarm or personal distress and fear of violence, as being reported to the police, and as requiring a restraining/intervention order or conviction when perpetrated by a stranger (e.g., Cass & Mallicoat, 2015;Scott, Rajakaruna et al, 2014;Scott, Lloyd, & Gavin, 2010).…”