Stalking: New Constructions of Human Behaviour

Abstract

Stalking is a curious construction born of a range of tensions in contemporary culture but has proved to be a useful label and a useful concept. In part due to the emergence of the concept of stalking, laws are now available to protect, and services increasingly geared to support, the victims of persistent harassment.

The problem behavior model: the development of a stalkers clinic and a threateners clinic

“…While treatment is tailored for each client, frequently used strategies include examinations of cognitive distortions and self-deceptions that serve to deny, minimize, or justify the behavior. Where possible, client deficits are also addressed, such as limited victim empathy, inappropriate social and interpersonal skills (Mullen, Pathé, & Purcell, 2001), and poor expressive and receptive communication skills.…”

The Impact of Criminalization of Stalking on Italian Students: Adherence to Stalking Myths

“…Some authors have wondered what factors have caused stalking to emerge as a social problem in recent decades after having lingered unnoticed in the public subconscious for centuries (Mullen, Pathé, & Purcell, 2001). Stalking might always have been recognized informally as a problematic interpersonal relationship type, but antistalking legislation has quickly diffused across national and international jurisdictions.…”

The influence of prior offender/victim relationship on offender stalking behavior

“…The actions of these stalkers are similar to the actions of psychopathic personality stalkers (Gerberth, 1992), noncohabitee and cohabitee stalkers (Hargreaves & Canter, in press), as well as intimate stalkers (Palarea et al, 1999) and ex-intimate prior relationship stalkers (Purcell et al, 2002). The behavior of this type of stalker suggests emotional dependency upon their former partner that causes jealousy and the need to control the other person when the relationship is terminated (Emerson et al, 1998;Hargreaves, 2000;Meloy, 1997;Mullen et al, 2001).…”

“…These actions are more likely to be displayed by stalkers who do not have a prior sexual relationship with the victim. The second theme is characterized by actions that represent the dissolving and getting out of existing relationships (Emerson et al, 1998;Mullen et al, 2001). These actions are more likely to be displayed by stalkers who have a prior sexual relationship with the victim.…”