Are Stalkers Recidivists? Repeated Offending by Convicted Stalkers

Abstract

Stalking is an obsessive behavior. Legal definitions generally characterize stalking as repetitive conduct. It may therefore be expected that recidivism by stalkers is high. We investigated court statistics of stalking cases to establish which proportion relapses in stalking behavior after a conviction and what other types of new crimes they commit. Case files of stalking cases have been investigated to find out whether and which neutralization techniques are used by stalkers to justify harassing behaviors. Stalkers who do recidivate do so quickly after a conviction. They appear to make use of various neutralization techniques. There is a small group of highly obsessive stalkers that seems not to be stopped by any of the measures, sanctions, or interventions that are imposed.

Using Dynamic Contextual Factors to Better Understand the Etiology and Escalation of Stalking Violence

“…Protection orders are often the first formal intervention undertaken to deter stalkers. Despite this, and similar to some previous research (Logan, Nigoff, walker, & Jordan, 2002;Malsch, de Keijser, & Debets, 2011;McEwan et al, 2017;Spitzberg & Cupach, 2014;Strand & McEwan, 2012), restraining orders appeared to have little impact on stalkers' behavior-positive or negative. Nevertheless, in one stalking case, a protection order did trigger violence.…”

Stalking

“…Some studies have found that criminal history has an inconsistent relationship with stalker violence although in general, a past criminal and violence history are associated with reoffending (Andrews & Bonta, 2010; Brewster, 2000; Harmon et al, 1998; Kropp, 2008; McEwan et al, 2007; Meloy, 2001; Mullen, Pathé, Purcell, & Stuart, 1999; Rosenfeld & Harmon, 2002). Several studies found that about half of those arrested or convicted of stalking reoffended with a new stalking or stalking-related charge or complaint (Malsch, de Keijser, & Debets, 2011; Olson & Stalans, 2001; Rosenfeld, 2003).…”

“…Stalkers with a revenge motive, regardless of relationship, have an increased likelihood of being violent (Meloy, 1998; Rosenfeld & Harmon, 2002) and an increased likelihood of persistent stalking (McEwan et al, 2007). Resentment and rejection are both associated with stalking, threats, property damage, and assaults (Malsch et al, 2011; Mullen et al, 1999). “The intent is to dominate, devalue, and in some cases, destroy” (Meloy, 1998, p. 20).…”

An investigation of anonymous and spoof SMS resources used for the purposes of cyberstalking

“…disclosure by a friend), it is likely that both parties know each other. Malsch et al (2011) state that in most cases, the victim knows their stalker, or there is evidence they had a prior relationship with them (Weller et al, 2013). Typically, when an individual receives a standard SMS message, the sender's phone number is recorded on their device, facilitating a means of reply.…”