The Course and Nature of Stalking: A Victim Perspective

This article presents results from the first survey of stalking victims to be conducted in the United Kingdom. In‐depth questionnaire data are drawn on to investigate the course and nature of prolonged stalking in 95 self‐defined victims. Findings indicate a pattern of repeated intrusions, a high violence risk for both victims and their loved ones, a dearth of sources of support, and varied police response. Stalkers had higher socio‐economic status than most other criminals, were ex‐partners of the victim in under half of cases, and did not necessarily operate alone.