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Among college survivors of unwanted pursuit behaviors (UPBs; 40.1%, n = 189) or intimate partner stalking (IPS, i.e., UPBs causing emotional distress; 32.1%, n = 151), the present study examined effects of social reactions to disclosures on post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptomatology, academic outcomes, and personal empowerment. Compared to UPB survivors, IPS survivors were more likely to disclose and reported higher positive and negative reactions to disclosure as well as greater frequency of UPBs/IPS, IPV, and PTSD symptoms. Among both groups, only negative social reactions were positively associated with PTSD symptoms. However, among IPS (but not UPB) survivors, only positive social reactions were related to academic outcomes and empowerment when controlling for PTSD and IPS frequency. Implications for research and practice are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In relationships characterised by current or previous intimate partner violence (IPV), partner stalking is a commonly occurring phenomenon. In this study, we examined police-recorded partner stalking in IPV episode reports across 1150 cases to (a) consider the overlap between IPV and partner stalking, and the relevance of the aggressor and victim's relationship phase to defining partner stalking; and (b) contribute empirical evidence about partner stalking prevalence rates and identification rates by police and victims. A secondary aim involved exploring possible differences between IPV cases with and without partner stalking. Although few police or victims explicitly used the label 'stalking', we identified evidence of partner stalking within one in every seven IPV cases reported to New Zealand Police. Further, this study contributed novel analysis about relationship dynamics by adding an on–off relationship phase to the typically dichotomised categories of intact and separated relationships. In turn, we identified partner stalking relatively rarely within intact relationships; and significantly more frequently, and at similar rates, across both the separated and on–off relationship phases. Finally, we discuss implications for defining the overlap between IPV and partner stalking, police practice, and future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Pedagogía Social is the property of Pedagogia Social and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Guided by lifestyles/routine activities and target congruence theories and using data from a campus climate survey from a large northeastern university, this study explored the influence of target (e.g., mental health, age, race), guardianship (e.g., relationship status, residency), and lifestyle characteristics (e.g., collegiate activities) on the risk of stalking victimization among 7,621 undergraduates. In addition to running models for the full sample, separate logistic regressions were completed for men (n = 3,544) and women (n = 4,077), and for those who identify as either lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, or queer (LGBTQ, n = 612) and those who do not (non-LGBTQ, n = 6,923). Results show target vulnerabilities including having lower scores on mental health and being younger increased victimization risk, guardianship factors including being married or living with parents or on campus reduced the risk of victimization, and lifestyle characteristics including participation in collegiate activities increased victimization risk. Consistent with prior research, those who identify as LGBTQ and women had higher odds of victimization than their respective counterparts. However, coefficient tests revealed only three risk factors varied significantly across sex (i.e., age and media activity) and LGBTQ status (i.e., mental health). Implications for research and campus policy are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ending of an intimate relationship, or the threat of separation, appears to elicit a catastrophic primal response in some individuals that can be a harbinger to lethal violence. Attachment theory, or a pathology of attachment, is established in the empirical literature as being a leading theory to explain Intimate Partner Stalking (IPS), though it is far from established what a ‘pathology’ of attachment represents. Since an earlier paper by Meloy and Fisher (2005) reflecting on the neurobiology of attachment, there has been limited attention to this in the empirical research. This paper reviews the evidence that attachment is not so much of a theory as a biological imperative, which, when broken down to the relevant quantities, can be reliably measured. The neurological substrates of the formation of interpersonal relationships provide a good starting point in understanding the process of IPS, and the Behavioural Systems Theory proposed by Bowlby is described from its evolutionary purpose as functional to protect the individual from danger by keeping them in close proximity to a caregiver (attachment figure). This in-turn can result in fixated behaviour such as IPS. Implications for legal sanctions against perpetrators of IPS (the assumption that they can stop), clinical management, and future research are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study aimed to explore the relationship between emotional intimate partner violence (IPV) and different forms of violence (e.g., stalking perpetration and victimization, physical IPV perpetration and victimization, sexual IPV perpetration and victimization, and controlling behaviors) using a meta‐analysis. Data from 188 studies, yielding 382 effect sizes, were used to compare the strength of correlates for IPV victimization versus perpetration, as well as gendered results. This meta‐analysis found, in order of strength, controlling behaviors victimization, physical IPV victimization, physical IPV perpetration, sexual IPV victimization, stalking victimization, and sexual IPV perpetration were significantly associated with emotional IPV victimization. The meta‐analysis also found, in order of strength, emotional IPV perpetration was positively associated with stalking perpetration, physical IPV perpetration, causing injury to a partner, controlling behaviors victimization, sexual IPV perpetration, physical IPV victimization, controlling behaviors perpetration, and sexual IPV victimization. This study found limited significant differences around gender, with physical IPV victimization approaching significance for emotional IPV perpetration for women. The current study highlights the implications associated with early assessment and intervention in cases of IPV. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: There has been limited research on stalking behaviors in same-gender intimate relationships. Research has suggested that early abusive experiences represent relevant risk factors that may have a correlation with experiences of violence in intimate partner relationships. Methods: In this cross-sectional research, in 2016, lesbian and bisexual (LB) Italian women (N = 243) filled in a self-report questionnaire including ad hoc measures of childhood abuse and stalking behaviors. Results: Results indicated that LB women reporting higher levels of childhood abuse also reported higher rates of stalking behaviors in their adult same-gender relationships. Coming out as lesbian or bisexual individuals was not a factor related to rates of stalking. Conclusions: This study confirms the prediction that childhood traumatic experiences represent risk factors that may be related to LB women's experiences of stalking in same-gender intimate relationships. Policy Implications: These results highlight the importance of spreading more knowledge of what is correct and incorrect to expect in an intimate relationship between women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cyberstalking is a phenomenon that induces severe psychological disorders, including fear, anxiety,depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder, in victims. A critical synthesis of the literature identifiesa notable deficiency in multidimensional research concerning cyberstalking practices within the Turkishcontext. This study undertakes a comprehensive examination of cyberstalking practices among Turkishyouth, with a specific focus on the dynamics of inter-platform migration. Utilizing a snowball samplingtechnique, 16 participants aged 18-30, exhibiting diverse socio-demographic profiles, were recruited.During the experimental phase, participants engaged in a systematic and audible monitoring of anindividual, with whom they had either recently acquainted or had no prior information about, throughdigital media channels, replicating their routine cyberstalking practices. Subsequent semi-structuredinterviews were conducted to elicit detailed insights into participants’ cyberstalking practices. The findingsreveal Instagram as the primary locus of cyberstalking practices, driven by participants’ informationacquisition motives. X (Twitter) serves as a means to discern individuals’ political affiliations, Facebookas a repository of historical data, and Google facilitates access to individuals’ social networks. Notably,LinkedIn elicits the greatest participant unease due to notification mechanisms, while WhatsApp is leastutilized owing to data limitations. While participants generally perceive cyberstalking as normative, manyresort to various stratagems, including the creation of fictitious accounts, to access restricted profiles.Despite intensive engagement in these practices, the majority eschew self-identification as ‘stalkers,’ citingperceived excessiveness and intimidation associated with the label.

Abstract Background Stalking can escalate into violent acts such as threatening and inflicting physical harm, posing a serious threat to personal safety. To prevent exacerbating stalking victimization, victims must seek help and report incidents to the police or relevant authorities. However, victims, in general, underreport these incidents to public institutions. Moreover, there is insufficient understanding of why victims of stalking, especially men, refrain from seeking help. Therefore, this study used text mining to explore the reasons victims of stalking in Japan do not seek help while considering the severity of victimization and analyzing data separately for men and women. Methods Among 908 Japanese individuals who reported experiencing repeated stalking behavior from a former intimate partner in the past five years, 253 men and 321 women who did not consult public authorities were included in this study. Participants provided their experiences of being stalked by former romantic partners and were classified into stalking-only, threatened, and physical aggression victim groups based on their self-reported experiences in an online survey. Reasons for not seeking help were collected through open-ended questions and analyzed using text mining. Results A co-occurrence network analysis revealed that among men in the threatened victim group, the reason for not seeking help was the belief that their complaints would not be taken seriously. The physical aggression victim group did not seek help due to the perception that a female perpetrator does not pose a danger. Among women in the physical aggression victim group, concerns about provoking the perpetrator or worsening the situation by seeking help, as well as feelings of embarrassment, were reasons for not seeking assistance. Conclusions The identification of gender stereotype-related reasons among male victims was a valuable insight that could only be obtained through comparison with female victims. However, the study was limited to addressing the individual characteristics of the cases, thus providing only hypothetical insights into general trends. In future research, it will be necessary to generate hypotheses from the findings of this study and accumulate hypothesis-testing research to develop effective strategies for promoting help-seeking behavior among stalking victims.

Objectives: To investigate the effectiveness of treatments approaches in reducing the risk of reoffending in stalking perpetrators. Design: A systematic search was conducted on Medline/Pubmed, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Web of Science, and Scopus. Setting: The United States, United Kingdom, The Netherlands, and Italy. Participants: The analysis included 661 patients with stalking behaviour, 14 (2.1%) of whom were female. Treatments: The evaluated treatments encompassed Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Cognitive Analytic Therapy (CAT), Cognitive–Behavioral Anger Management Intervention, and the Duluth Model as comparison conditions. When pharmacotherapy was present, this, always associated with psychotherapy, was usually based on antipsychotics and mood stabilizers. Results: We identified 35 studies from 3141 studies and 10 were included in the systematic review. Psychotherapeutic approaches proved to be effective in reducing recidivism rate, independently from the psychological model employed. Conclusions: Psychological treatments seem to be effective in reducing stalking recidivism, despite further studies are warranted to better elucidate the most effective approaches to deal with this group of offenders, given the severe social repercussions associated with this phenomenon. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper focuses on the problem of the inability to separate starting from a case of love stalking, culminating in a suicide attempt. Underlying the patient's behavior are highlighted certain elements that, to varying degrees, are hypothesized to play a role in all cases in which an inability to separate occurs: an inability to grieve, linked to previous unprocessed losses, including transgenerational ones; a great fragility of the self, which acquires strength only by merging with an idealized object, linked to developmental history; a narcissistic type of relationship in which the partner ensures the cohesion of the self and in particular the disorganization of attachment. In this condition, separation can become impossible because, according to the internal model of the "dramatic triangle", which characterizes disorganized attachment, as soon as the subject tries to separate from the object that causes him to suffer (which has become persecutory), she/he takes on the role of "savior" that the subject cannot give up because of his fragility or the role of poor "victim", who cannot be abandoned, but immediately afterwards everything starts over again endlessly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cyberstalking is defined as the repeated pursuit of an individual using the Internet. The current study examined the relationship between Dark Triad constructs and cyberstalking among a large sample of adults (N = 1724) while addressing several limitations of previous research. Each construct was assessed using a validated measure; a newer measure of Machiavellianism was used to ensure that psychopathy and Machiavellianism could be distinguished; and separate models were run for each trait to avoid interpreting residuals from multivariate models. After controlling for age and sex, only the antisocial facet of psychopathy (early and repeated antisocial behaviour; odds ratio, OR = 2.74, 95% confidence interval, CI [1.73, 4.36]) and grandiose narcissism (inflated self-esteem and antagonism; OR = 1.27, 95% CI [1.08, 1.50]) were significantly related to cyberstalking perpetration within the past 12 months. While psychopathy and narcissism may be important factors for understanding antisocial behaviour, Machiavellianism appears to have limited predictive and practical utility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stalking can be defined as a pattern of fixated, repeated, and unwanted behaviours. Stalking is not an isolated incident and was associated to sexual violence. While the relationship between sexual violence and stalking is scarcely explored, no studies have tested the relationship between stalking and sexual homicide, which both involves elements of obsession. The aim of this paper was to study the relationship between stalking and sexual homicide using an exploratory case study analysis of 7 males convicted for sexual homicide. Results revealed: (1) The presence of obsession prior to the homicide; (2) The victims were ex‐intimate partners or acquaintances; (3) The victims were followed several times prior to the index offence; (4) Stalking elements were not always considered by the authorities, which has led to an escalation of behaviours. This study expands our understanding between stalking and sexual violence, supporting the design of prevention and treatments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study addresses police officers' identification of vulnerable victims and responses to these victims. Using an Articulated Thoughts in Simulated Situations (ATSS) approach, police officers (n = 51) responded to two scenarios regarding a victim who reported either a property crime or a stalking incident. After hearing each scenario, participants judged whether the victim was vulnerable or not and discussed which they would propose any protection measures. Findings showed that a majority of the participants identified the victim as vulnerable. Participants mainly based their judgements on indicators related to the incident or its consequences. Regardless of their judgement, participants proposed a variety of protection measures. Both this finding and the majority of vulnerability judgements suggest that police officers may act out of the principle of 'better safe than sorry'. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Monatsschrift fuer Kriminologie und Strafrechtsreform is the property of De Gruyter and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Background: Stalking can escalate into violent acts such as threatening and inflicting physical harm, posing a serious threat to personal safety. To prevent exacerbating stalking victimization, victims must seek help and report incidents to the police or relevant authorities. However, victims, in general, underreport these incidents to public institutions. Moreover, there is insufficient understanding of why victims of stalking, especially men, refrain from seeking help. Therefore, this study used text mining to explore the reasons victims of stalking in Japan do not seek help while considering the severity of victimization and analyzing data separately for men and women. Methods: Among 908 Japanese individuals who reported experiencing repeated stalking behavior from a former intimate partner in the past five years, 253 men and 321 women who did not consult public authorities were included in this study. Participants provided their experiences of being stalked by former romantic partners and were classified into stalking-only, threatened, and physical aggression victim groups based on their self-reported experiences in an online survey. Reasons for not seeking help were collected through open-ended questions and analyzed using text mining. Results: A co-occurrence network analysis revealed that among men in the threatened victim group, the reason for not seeking help was the belief that their complaints would not be taken seriously. The physical aggression victim group did not seek help due to the perception that a female perpetrator does not pose a danger. Among women in the physical aggression victim group, concerns about provoking the perpetrator or worsening the situation by seeking help, as well as feelings of embarrassment, were reasons for not seeking assistance. Conclusions: The identification of gender stereotype-related reasons among male victims was a valuable insight that could only be obtained through comparison with female victims. However, the study was limited to addressing the individual characteristics of the cases, thus providing only hypothetical insights into general trends. In future research, it will be necessary to generate hypotheses from the findings of this study and accumulate hypothesis-testing research to develop effective strategies for promoting help-seeking behavior among stalking victims. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Technology-facilitated sexual violence (TFSV) is an emerging form of gender-based violence. An understanding regarding the circumstance of TFSV and related health outcomes is limited. This qualitative study analyzed postings from an anonymous Korean website on which women suffering from TFSV freely posted messages asking for help and voicing concerns. Victims made efforts to solve problems that remained unresolved, thereby creating difficulties in their daily lives, and compelling them to quit jobs or break social relationships. They reported mental health concerns including suicide ideation, anxiety, frustration, sleep disorders, and depression. Results infer the imperative nature of research, intervention, and political action. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Relatively little research has examined men's use of coercive controlling tactics against female partners after separation. This mixed-methods secondary analysis of 346 Canadian women documented coercive controlling tactics used by their ex-partners (86.4% identified at least one). The composite abuse scale emotional abuse subscale and women being older were associated with men using coercive control tactics post-separation. A secondary qualitative analysis of in-depth interviews with a sub-sample of 34 women provided additional examples. Abusive partners used numerous strategies to coercively control their ex-partners by stalking/harassing them, using financial abuse and discrediting the women to various authorities. Considerations for future research are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Few studies have examined crime on Snapchat despite its popularity and growing accounts of victimization occurring on the application. This study addresses this gap in knowledge by conducting a rapid review of crime on Snapchat across 18 databases. The findings indicate this area is under-researched, with only 35 articles eligible for inclusion and five focusing solely on crime on Snapchat. Nevertheless, eleven types of crimes were identified as occurring on Snapchat, including: blackmail; the sharing of private, sexual material without consent; grooming/solicitation of minors; stalking; posting threatening, intimidating or harassing material; hate crime; sharing offensive, menacing or obscene content; obtaining illicit goods; identity theft; fraud; and hacking. The findings additionally revealed some patterns in offending and victimization that are also discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose. The purpose of writing the article is to highlight the issue of criminalization of persecution in the context of the implementation of the Istanbul Convention and to identify ways to improve the Criminal Code of Ukraine. The methodology includes a comprehensive analysis and elaboration of the provisions of the current criminal law of Ukraine and other countries, international legal documents, scientific sources, as well as the formulation of author conclusions and recommendations. The following methods of scientific knowledge were used in the course of the research: logical-semantic, formal-logical, systemic-structural, comparative-legal, modeling. Results. Based on the results of the research: 1) it was established that among the international legal treaties, the Istanbul Convention contains the most comprehensive definition of the concept of persecution as a distinct type of socially unacceptable behavior. It has been proven that, without making certain reservations when ratifying the Istanbul Convention, Ukraine undertook to criminalize persecution. It has also been established that the correspondence between provisions of the current criminal legislation of Ukraine and the corresponding convention provision is fragmentary, and the elimination of the existing legal gap is possible only through legislative amendments; 2) it has been demonstrated that Ukraine’s fulfillment of the corresponding international legal obligation, conditioned by the ratification of the Istanbul Convention, must be balanced, which appeals to relevant foreign experience. When criminalizing stalking in Ukraine, it is advisable to consider the way stalking is described in the Criminal Code of the Federal Republic of Germany, where such type of socially unacceptable behavior is defined clearly and completely. In particular, the establishment of an open list of actions that can be considered as harassment deserves acceptance, because such approach is motivated by a positive desire to cover the variety of behavioral patterns typical for modern stalking and to prevent the possible laxity of the criminal law, for example, due to the development of digital technologies; 3) the fallacy of the approach is argued, according to which the objective aspect of prosecution as a component of a new criminal offense for Ukraine should be determined through an exhaustive list of specified actions. The authors’ version of the disposition of the criminal law norm addressing persecution is proposed for discussion. It has been proven that the article on persecution can be placed either in Chapter III of the Special Part of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (given that personal freedom as the generic object of the relevant criminal offenses, not limited to the physical freedom of a person, includes the freedom of a person in terms of the possibility of choice behavior, the freedom to manage oneself independently and is consistent with the civilized understanding of personal freedom as personal non-proprietor good of an individual), or in Chapter V of the Special Part of the Criminal Code of Ukraine – along with similar in their scope provisions, which are designed to ensure privacy protection and with the help of which separate manifestations of persecution can be considered today. Scientific novelty. Deficiencies of the existing state of legislative provision of criminal law countermeasures against persecution are identified and ways of eliminating these deficiencies, consistent with the provisions of the Istanbul Convention, are proposed. Practical significance. Results of the research can be used in law-making activities to improve the current Criminal Code of Ukraine, as well as the draft of the new Criminal Code of Ukraine.

This article discusses a symposium on addressing stalking, which covers various topics related to psychosocial issues. The presentations at the symposium include the neurodiverse perspective of stalkers, building relationships with stalking clients, using psychological interventions to address stalking behaviors, stalking when children are involved, and promoting psychologically informed management of stalking perpetrators. The article also mentions other symposium papers that explore pathways to and from offending behavior, such as online terrorism risk in individuals with ADHD and the relationship between peer victimization and sexual offending. Another study discussed in the article examines the impact of psychological trauma, dissociation, and suggestibility on eyewitness testimony among Turkish individuals with a traumatic history. The findings suggest that trauma and dissociation can affect the accuracy of witness statements in forensic events. Lastly, the article mentions a research project that aims to explore the relationship between occupational stress, self-stigma, and attitudes toward seeking psychological help among law enforcement officers. The study will gather data from approximately 150 active-duty law enforcement officers in the United States and can provide insights for clinicians in better serving this population. [Extracted from the article]

Stalking, a widespread and distressing phenomenon, has recently garnered considerable attention. The advent of digital platforms has revolutionized the landscape of stalking, presenting new avenues and challenges for research. However, the impact of the coronavirus disease (COVID)-19 pandemic on stalking remains underexplored, despite extensive studies on similar crimes such as intimate partner violence and domestic violence. To address this gap, our study focused on Reddit, a prominent online platform with a diverse user base and open discussion. Through an analysis of posts from the subreddit (https://www.reddit.com/r/Stalking/), we sought to compare the discourse on stalking before and after the COVID-19 pandemic. We found notable shifts in stalking-related posts before and after the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly with the emergence of new topics centered on cyberstalking. We also observed that the experiences of stalking victims have significantly changed following the COVID-19 pandemic. Based on our findings, we discussed the implications for policies to help stalking victims. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Few studies have explored the focal concerns theory as a framework for understanding crime victims' decisions to adopt civil/criminal interventions. Using data from the 2019 National Crime Victimization Survey, the current study finds support for the theory, highlighting several factors influencing formal help-seeking decisions aligned with factors legal actors also consider in arrest and charging decisions. Indeed, stalking victims were more likely to apply for protection orders and/or contact the police after experiencing a repeated course of unwanted conduct (e.g., blameworthiness) by intimate partners (e.g., community protection) that caused victims to fear for themselves or others (e.g., community protection) and/or to access victim services (e.g., practical constraints). In addition, most victims believed they were targeted by stalkers who felt entitled, desired power and control, or felt rejected. The findings suggest implications for improving civil and criminal-legal responses to stalking complaints by outlining areas to probe during interviews for further corroboration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intimate partner violence can occur as a form of stalking behaviour, which is considered a pattern of repeated and unwanted behaviours towards another individual. A cross-sectional study was conducted with 498 participants from Portugal, aged between 12–21 years. Findings support that adolescent stalking perpetrators exhibited psychopathic traits, psychopathology, aggression, and childhood trauma. Results showed that anxiety partially mediates the association between childhood trauma and stalking perpetration. These findings provide a better understanding of stalking in adolescence, which allows professionals to have a more comprehensive approach when considering intervention programs. Limitations and future research are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

When does ordinary, legal interpersonal attention behaviour become aberrant, illegal stalking behaviour? How do we stop it when it does? As a society, we have only recently recognized stalking (episodic, continued unwanted contact of one person by another) as criminal behaviour—that it ranges well beyond the merely bothersome and creates real hardships for victims, famous or not. In the United States, formally codified anti-stalking law first appeared in the 1990s, and it continues to evolve. In part because of the relative newness of the law, scholarly analysis of stalking remains rare and confined primarily to clinical studies by psychologists and psychiatrists. But a pursuer's interpersonal attention, a target's reciprocation, and the evolution of these behaviours into patterns of stalking reflect systematic economic choices made by those agents. The economic model of stalking developed in this paper analyses the causes and consequences of these choices by considering interpersonal pursuit and reciprocation as a sequential game. The analysis allows us to understand stalking within the broader context of economic behaviours characterized by episodic interpersonal encounters, legal and otherwise, and facilitates economic explanations for several stylized patterns commonly observed in real stalking cases. Some of these carry relevance for policy and may serve as a foundation for future empirical study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Victimization is associated with compromised psychosocial functioning and educational attainment, but research has yet to investigate the victimization experiences of students who attend Hispanic-Serving Institutions, specifically, to inform programming and services. This study examines the prevalence and nature of victimization (i.e. non-sexual interpersonal victimization, stalking, contact and non-contact sexual victimization, property victimization, identity theft, and familial abuse) among a cohort of 2,388 first-semester students from two urban HSIs. Similar to previous research, 41% of students experienced victimization prior to enrollment and 24% experienced multiple types of victimization. Notably, 27% of students experienced at least one type of victimization since enrollment, with 13% experiencing multiple types of victimization and one-third of victims experiencing repeat victimization. Differences in risk for victimization since enrollment emerged across race and ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, campus residence, and employment status. Overall, victimization incidents were more likely to occur off-campus and be perpetrated by non-university affiliated individuals. Presence of a weapon and victim injury were uncommon. The findings speak to the experiences of students at urban HSIs, and results related to risk and nature of victimization incidents should be used to inform prevention efforts and support services at urban HSIs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Stalking reflects a lesser-studied form of intimate partner violence (IPV; e.g., physical abuse) that may occur pre- and postseparation between two or more partners, incurring lifelong pervasive health impacts on those involved. Intersectionality theory elucidates how Two-Spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer, questioning, intersex, and asexual (2SLGBTQQIA+) individuals' and rural women's identities are oppressed by society, thus subjecting them to unique IPV experiences. Therefore, this study aims to explore how stalking manifests among 2SLGBTQQIA+ individuals and women living rurally with lived experiences, both of which are underrepresented groups in current stalking literature. Methods We used secondary data from two IPV studies conducted among 2SLGBTQQ+ (no intersex or asexual participants) individuals and rural women (n = 29). We interviewed 2SLGBTQQ+ (n = 18) and rural women (n = 11) who resided in Alberta, Canada and experienced IPV via semi-structured, qualitative approaches. A thematic analysis was guided by intersectionality theory to analyze the data, applying inductive and semantic approaches. Findings Of the 29 participants, 15 were stalked by their abusive partners and 9 reported on the negative impacts of being stalked. Rural women and 2SLGBTQQ+ individuals were mainly stalked via physical forms of stalking and cyberstalking, respectively. We describe other forms of stalking and the ineffectiveness of legal systems in those seeking support for stalking. The impacts of stalking (e.g., hypervigilance) were so profound that the feeling of being stalked persisted, which we termed phantom stalking. Significance 2SLGBTQQ+ individuals predominantly experienced stalking through technology and rural women experienced stalking in more public or physical forms, which stemmed from intersections with community and geographical factors, respectively. We posit the notion of "phantom stalking" and discuss and differentiate it from other psychiatric diagnoses. Additionally, we provide important recommendations related to legislation, education, safety, and research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a public health crisis across the globe, and one particular act of IPV, non-fatal strangulation, warrants serious attention. Non-fatal strangulation is a risk factor for intimate partner homicide (IPH) and can create long-term negative mental and physical health consequences. In this meta-analysis, we sought to examine factors associated with non-fatal strangulation victimization among women to help inform education and assessment efforts. Using database searches and Boolean search terms, a total of 16 studies met the inclusion criteria. A total of 16 factors that were found in at least two unique studies were examined. The strongest associated factors included physical IPV victimization, physical injury, IPH, and sexual IPV victimization. Other significant associated factors included lower education, anxiety symptoms, perceived risk of harm, post-traumatic stress symptoms, depressive symptoms, stalking victimization, and identifying as a Black woman. Experiencing childhood trauma, the length of the relationship, age, substance use, and identifying as Hispanic were not significantly related to strangulation victimization by an intimate partner. Education and assessment implications are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to examine the extent and characteristics of cyber intimate partner violence (IPV) and in-person IPV (IP-IPV) in a sample of 214 women aged 18–60 years in Jordan. A cross-sectional, correlational design was implemented, using the Cyber Aggression in Relationships and Revised Conflict Tactics Scales to evaluate both in-person and cyber IPV. The findings revealed that 65.4% of participants reported experiencing some form of cyber IPV, while 98.7% reported experiencing IP-IPV within the previous six months. Some demographic factors were linked to the prevalence of two cyber IPV types (cyber-stalking and cyber psychological aggression). Psychological and physical abuse were the most prevalent forms of IP-IPV. Exposure to cyber IPV was a predictor of psychological, physical, and injury types of IP-IPV. Overall, this study highlights the alarming prevalence of both IP-IPV and cyber IPV against women in Jordan and their interrelatedness [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Workplace violence (WPV) in Emergency Departments (EDs) is an increasingly recognized challenge healthcare providers face in low-resource settings. While studies have highlighted the increased prevalence of WPV in healthcare, most of the existing research has been conducted in developed countries with established laws and repercussions for violence against healthcare providers. More data on WPV against ED providers practicing in low-resource settings is necessary to understand these providers' unique challenges. Objective: This study aims to gain insight into the incidence and characteristics of WPV among ED healthcare providers in India. Methods: This study was conducted at two EDs in geographically distinct regions of India. A survey was designed to assess violence in EDs among healthcare providers. Surveys were distributed to ED workplace providers, completed by hand, and returned anonymously. Data was entered and stored in the RedCAP database to facilitate analysis. Results: Two hundred surveys were completed by physicians, nurses, and paramedics in Indian EDs. Most reported events involved verbal abuse (68%), followed by physical abuse (26%), outside confrontation (17%), and stalking (5%). By far, the most common perpetrators of violence against healthcare workers were bystanders including patient family members or other accompanying individuals. Notably, reporting was limited, with most cases conveyed to ED or hospital administration. Conclusion: These results underscore the prevalence of WPV among Indian ED healthcare providers. High rates of verbal abuse followed by physical abuse are of concern. Most perpetrators of WPV against healthcare providers in this study were patient family members or bystanders rather than the patients themselves. It is imperative to prioritize implementing prevention strategies to create safer work environments for healthcare workers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Stalking is a global spread phenomenon consisting in harassing, annoying, unwanted, and intrusive behaviors, often considered regular in courting. These behaviors are part of the broader range of gender-based violence. In accordance with the theory of ecological systems, this study aimed to investigate the presence of gender differences in the perception of the severity of stalking actions, considering the role of the type of violence perpetrated (physical versus verbal) and the relationship between the author and victim (Resentful ex-partner, Incompetent suitor rejected, Neighbor in dispute). The results showed gender differences in the main dimensions investigated by the questionnaire (Moral Disengagement, Normlessness beliefs, Empathy, and Perception of the Severity of Stalking). In addition, the results show that the perception of severity is influenced by the type of relationship and the type of violence perpetrated, differently between men and women. Results were discussed based on the development of literature on the topic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Virtual worlds are no longer science fiction. New technologies that promise a world lacking physical or mental boundaries are finally becoming a reality. Commonly referred to as the metaverse, this innovative technology opens a world of opportunities for individuals everywhere to experience an almost unlimited virtual dimension where they can play, work, own property, engage in sexual activities, and fulfill their dreams. Unlike previous virtual worlds, the metaverse could be a gamechanger as it offers an immersive experience. It feels authentic to the users and will become even more realistic with advancements in haptic technology. With its benefits, the technology also raises the fear of criminal activities. These may include financial or property crimes (e.g., theft or fraud), crimes against the person (e.g., stalking or harassment), and sex crimes (e.g., sexual harassment and potentially even rape), to name but a few examples. Unlike previous virtual worlds and its related scholarship, the metaverse's immersive capabilities could be disruptive to criminal law: they could lead to atypical offenses that, while lacking physical harm, could activate the nervous system much like a conventional crime. If the mind cannot tell the difference, how should criminal law treat such conduct? In light of such immersion, this Article proposes a taxonomy for metaverse crimes and suggests further scrutiny of the metaverse's enforcement. Upon defining the criminal metaverse, this Article identifies some conducts as in superposition--whereas their existence and scope are currently undetermined--and offers ways to assess their harm. It then examines enforcement challenges and concludes that much of the rulemaking and enforcement will be in the realm of metaverse platforms, while some must remain under the state's prerogative. Ultimately, enforcement of the criminal metaverse will take on an unprecedented dynamic that has yet to be seen in criminal law. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Within the United States, 1 in 4 women and 1 in 10 men experience intimate partner violence (IPV): psychological aggression, sexual violence, physical violence, and/or stalking from an intimate partner. Although some studies highlight the complexity of post-IPV recovery, the role of communication in post-IPV recovery remains underexplored. This study employs Communication Theory of Identity (CTI) to analyze in-depth interviews with post-IPV adults. Analysis reveals how individuals negotiate post-IPV identity gaps between the personal-personal and personal-relational layers of identity. The forwarded concept of identity veiling explicates how IPV tactics cause the relational layer of identity to eclipse the personal layer in IPV relationships. Therefore, post-IPV recovery involves unveiling the personal layer of identity—communicatively (re)constructing self-image beyond the IPV relationship and the identity gaps it engendered. This study conceptualizes the role of violent communication in the construction of identity gaps and identity gap negotiation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite an increasing number of studies which examine the interplay between autism and offending mechanisms, there has been a lack of research investigating the interplay between autism and stalking. It was anticipated that findings from this investigation would inform future interventions with individuals with autism who stalk. This secondary data analysis research used a qualitative case study approach to explore the experiences of an individual with a High Functioning Autism (HFA) diagnosis, who had been convicted of stalking. Interview data was analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis to gain a rich understanding of stalking behaviour from the perspective of the individual and to identify the key issues associated with Criminal Justice Service interventions. The following superordinate themes were identified; 'What she means to me', 'Problematic, but unstoppable'' and 'Life after prison'. A key implication of the findings was that autistic traits can play a contextual role within stalking behaviour. Future recommendations of a specifically tailored treatment approach recognising and considering autism-related responsivity issues are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In an effort to understand the correlates of stalking, 62 male federal prisoners with one or more convictions for stalking (n = 54) or a subsequent arrest for stalking (n = 8) were extracted from a larger group of 3,039 federal prison inmates on whom file data had been collected. Comparisons between this group of 62 inmates and the remaining 2,977 inmates with no history of stalking revealed more extensive histories of violence, mental health difficulties, and alcohol abuse in the former. Constructing a control group of 62 non-stalking inmates from the larger sample of 2,977 non-stalking participants by matching stalking and non-stalking inmates on age and race, it was discovered that differences in past violence toward significant others persisted while differences in mental health difficulties and alcohol abuse did not. Findings such as these suggest that when more stringent criteria are used to construct control and comparison groups for research on stalking, differences between stalking and non-stalking participants on all but past history of violence toward intimates tend to disappear. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research has identified several strategies victims adopt to deter unwanted conduct from stalkers. Whether such strategies are effective, however, is relatively unknown. Using stalking data from the 2016 National Crime Victimization Survey, the current study examines the effectiveness of safety strategies as a deterrent and whether effects are conditioned by how victims know their stalker. Victims who restricted digital access or involved the police were more likely to report the unwanted conduct had stopped, net of victim and situational contexts. These findings were consistent regardless of whether victims were pursued by intimate partner versus non-partner stalkers. The success of strategies was not universal and what works to deter stalkers was related to victim characteristics, duration, and having access to resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This qualitative study explores the opportunities and challenges of collaboration experienced by social workers and police officers when dealing with cases of intimate partner violence (IPV) and stalking. The study aims to examine their collaborative approaches in risk assessment and risk management by identifying the structures, supports, and foundations crucial for effective collaboration. Our data, collected from twelve interviews and one focus group interview with social workers and police officers, reveals that collaboration was facilitated by assigning specific roles to involved parties, proximity, structure and professionalism. These key factors emerged as crucial and contributing to the effectiveness of the collaborative efforts. Practitioners should consider integrating these key elements into their practices to enhance and improve collaboration when addressing cases of IPV and stalking. The study underscores the need for a well-defined framework and support structures to optimise the collaborative response to such complex and sensitive issues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Resource partitioning promotes coexistence among guild members, and carnivores reduce interference competition through behavioral mechanisms that promote spatio-temporal separation. We analyzed sympatric lion and spotted hyena movements and activity patterns to ascertain the mechanisms facilitating their coexistence within semi-arid and wetland ecosystems. We identified recurrent high-use (revisitation) and extended stay (duration) areas within home ranges, as well as correlated movement-derived measures of inter- and intraspecific interactions with environmental variables. Spatial overlaps among lions and hyenas expanded during the wet season, and occurred at edges of home ranges, around water-points, along pathways between patches of high-use areas. Lions shared more of their home ranges with spotted hyenas in arid ecosystems, but shared more of their ranges with conspecifics in mesic environments. Despite shared space use, we found evidence for subtle temporal differences in the nocturnal movement and activity patterns between the two predators, suggesting a fine localized-scale avoidance strategy. Revisitation frequency and duration within home ranges were influenced by interspecific interactions, after land cover categories and diel cycles. Intraspecific interactions were also important for lions and, important for hyenas were moon illumination and ungulates attracted to former anthrax carcass sites in Etosha, with distance to water in Chobe/Linyanti. Recursion and duration according to locales of competitor probabilities were similar among female lions and both sexes of hyenas, but different for male lions. Our results suggest that lions and spotted hyenas mediate the potential for interference competition through subtle differences in temporal activity, fine-scale habitat use differentiation, and localized reactive-avoidance behaviors. These findings enhance our understanding of the potential effects of interspecific interactions among large carnivore space-use patterns within an apex predator system and show adaptability across heterogeneous and homogeneous environments. Future conservation plans should emphasize the importance of inter- and intraspecific competition within large carnivore communities, particularly moderating such effects within increasingly fragmented landscapes.

While the increasing use of social media today provides advantages in various aspects of our lives, the problems that these platforms bring also come to light. One of these is "stalking", which is a situation where a person uses social media to access more information about other people's private lives or experiences. Excessive stalking and sending unwanted, disturbing messages can lead to social media harassment. In addition, constantly checking people's social media accounts can lead to severe social media addiction. This study aims to investigate the situation of university students' stalking on social media. In the research, phenomenology design, one of the qualitative research methods, is adopted. Within the scope of the research, 27 students were interviewed using a semi-structured interview form. In the analysis of the data, content analysis was used. Participants' views on the effect of social media on stalking were coded by content analysis and presented in seven different themes, and their experiences were visualized with word clouds. As a result of the research, it was seen that the participants mostly act with a sense of curiosity and frequently stalk their inner circle on social media, and that stalking is more popular due to the accessibility of social media. It was also observed that individuals subjected to stalking are more anxious in their daily lives, and this makes them uncomfortable. It was concluded that excessive stalking can lead to addiction and that precautions should be taken. Based on these results, different suggestions are made about stalking on social media. As an alternative, before stalking turns into an addiction, measures such as seeking psychological support, limiting the time allocated to social media and conducting various awareness activities can be taken. As for future research, the phenomenon of stalking can be investigated in students at the high school-level, and a case study can be developed.