A threat assessment for stalking behavior
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Authors
Clem, William J.
Issue Date
2001
Type
Thesis
Language
en
Keywords
Foresnic sciences
Alternative Title
Abstract
While recognition of stalking behavior is relatively new to the field of research and legislative policy, it has certainly been around for a long time. Published media accounts and research have well documented accounts of violence in stalking cases. The murder of Rebecca Schaefer and other cases have brought stalking into public scrutiny, leading to changes in the law. However, stalking violence continues to plague society. A threat assessment was constructed to identify and prevent violence in stalking cases. The threat assessment utilizes three different components present in many stalking cases. The three components include frequent contacts, jealousy, and threats of violence. According to the hypothesis, when these three variables are present, the likelihood of violence by the stalker increases. Twenty-six victims participated in a survey. The hypothesis was supported by the data from the surveys. When the three variables were present, better than two-thirds of the time, the stalker engaged in violence towards the victim or someone associated to the victim.