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Background Knowledge about stalking, and in particular the people who do it, is limited in the UK. Aim This study aims to describe a sample of stalkers drawn from the resident population of Broadmoor high security hospital in the UK. Methods Case notes and research database information for 362 consecutive admissions were used to identify stalkers retrospectively. Data were extracted using a stalking behaviour screening checklist. Results A total of 33 patients (9.1%) were classified as stalkers. They were mostly male (28), young (median age 29), unmarried (30), minimally educated and unemployed. Most had psychosis and personality disorder. They had inflicted a wide range of unwanted intrusions and communications on their victims, and both threats (55%) and assaults (45%) were common. The types of stalkers were more or less equally split between intimacy seeking, rejected suitors, resentful and predatory, with only a tiny group being incompetent suitors. Conclusions Although this small group of stalkers had been intrusive and attacking, few had been referred for treatment because of the stalking. The screening questionnaire is easy to use and can be done from records. It may be that such screening should become routine in specialist secure hospitals. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [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]

The rise in public concern regarding stalking during the course of the 1990s led to the introduction of anti-stalking statutes around the world. Experience showed that the early laws were deficient and as legislation spread, so the laws evolved to take these deficiencies into account. Meanwhile, in the UK, cases were dealt with under existing provisions, but as case-law in this area developed and more cases came to court the introduction of an anti-stalking statute became inevitable. The Protection from Harassment Act 1997 was widely drafted to deal with stalkers and other forms of harassment. The effectiveness of the Act, now four years old, has been reviewed, and a number of problems highlighted. The Act would be more effective if it was used by police, prosecutors and the courts more consistently. A programme of widespread dissemination of the provisions within the Act is now called for. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents information on a study on the characteristics of new long stay psychiatric patients in Great Britain in 1993 and 1995 and the predictors of patient discharge. Methods; Results; Conclusion.

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]