The Psychology of Stalking by Colleen Cancio
edited by Kevin P. Allen For many people, the idea of stalking calls to mind a creepy psychopath lurking in the shadows with a pair of binoculars trained on a beauty queen or Hollywood starlet. But the reality of stalking is much more mundane. The vast majority of stalkers were once romantically or socially involved with their victims. In many cases, the obsessive behavior began before the relationship ended. Loosely defined, stalking refers to one person's obsessive behavior toward someone else and the fear that it causes. Stalking is rooted in the need to gain control or power over the person being stalked. According to the U.S. Department of Justice, it most often involves attempts to make contact with the object of the stalker's obsession. These unwanted communications may be friendly or romantic, though more commonly they're designed to frighten, intimidate, or embarrass their targets. Other common forms of stalking include lying in wait or spying on someone, as well as making unannounced visits to the victim's home. In extreme cases, stalking can be accompanied by breaking and entering, vandalism, acts of violence or even murder. Historically, stalking has been a difficult crime to prosecute. Stalkers are often adept at intimidating or harassing their victims while keeping a distance. The good news is that over the past two decades, all 50 states and the District of Columbia have passed laws to address stalking. In this article we examine the psychology of stalking, including the motivations for such behavior and what victims can do to protect themselves. But first, let's take a quick look at who's stalking whom in the U.S. |
advertisement
|
-
our sites
-
video
-
shop
-
stay connected
-
corporate
