The reliability and predictive validity of the Screening Assessment for Stalking and Harassment (SASH).

Stalking cases have proven to be challenging for police to assess and respond to effectively, with officers often criticized for inadequate responses or failing to take stalking cases seriously. A structured screening assessment can help officers to recognize, prioritize, and respond to stalking appropriate. This study provides the first evaluation of the reliability and the predictive validity of the Screening Assessment for Stalking and Harassment (SASH), in a study within the Netherlands National Police. One hundred and fifteen reports of stalking were scored from file review and followed up over 6 months. The SASH level of concern outcome (low, moderate or high concern) was effective in differentiating between subsequent stalking of differing severities, particularly for identifying and ruling out cases where subsequent stalking was of low severity. Interrater reliability analyses showed that untrained police members were able to score SASH items in the same way 80% of the time, a rate that was significantly different from chance. This study indicated that with appropriate training, the SASH could form part of a structured response to stalking that can ensure cases are treated appropriately by police and risk management strategies are put in place. These results have informed the decision of the Netherlands National Police to implement the SASH across the country as part of such a structured response.