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Healthcare professionals are known from previous studies to be at risk from stalkers, and mental healthcare professionals, particularly psychiatrists, are thought to be at higher risk. However, no previous large-scale study has investigated this among psychiatrists. This questionnaire-based survey of 10,429 UK psychiatrists aimed to investigate the prevalence, nature and impact of stalking of UK psychiatrists. Of the 2,585 psychiatrists who submitted valid responses, 21% thought they had been stalked; the experiences of 33% met current legal criteria and 10% met strict research criteria. Three percent of respondents were currently being stalked; 2% reported that their stalking had begun in the past year. Of those who had been stalked, 64% were stalked by patients. The most commonly reported motives were intimacy seeking and resentment. Stalking persisted for over a year for 52% of victims. The stalking was intrusive, disruptive, and had significant impact. Organizational and individual responses varied in scope and effectiveness. Stalking of psychiatrists is therefore an important professional hazard with a serious impact. Improvements in organizational responses to stalking are needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many stalkers suffer from mental disorder, and this may bring them into contact with psychiatrists before their stalking behaviour is identified. This study set out to identify information obtained during a forensic psychiatric assessment which might indicate the presence of stalking behaviours and prompt further assessment. Thus 362 consecutive admissions to Broadmoor Hospital were comprehensively assessed, including an assessment of stalking behaviours. Using both univariate analyses and multivariate logistic regression, associations were found between stalking and: committing sexual offences or having a sexual motive for offending; a lack of physical contact with the victim immediately before the index offence; lacking a pattern of theft and other minor acquisitive offences; and, among those who kill, having diminished responsibility. These factors may help in the assessment of patients who might be stalkers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]