“Everyone Saw Me Differently Like It Was My Fault or I Wanted It”: Acquaintance Stalking Victim Experiences of Sexual Assault, Sexual Harassment, and Sexual Autonomy

Abstract

Although the stalking research literature has grown over time, there is more limited research focused on acquaintance stalking victim experiences and harms. The current study used online surveys with women stalked by acquaintances who had ( n = 193), and who had not ( n = 144), been sexually assaulted by the stalker to examine differences in stalking course of conduct (including jealousy and control, sexual harassment) and victim harms (resource losses, social identity perceptions, sexual autonomy, sexual difficulties, and safety efficacy). Results found that many of the acquaintance stalking victims in the current study experienced all three types of sexual harassment (verbal harassment, unwanted sexual advances, sexual coercion) and had negative social identity perceptions (e.g., how they felt about themselves, how they felt about their ability to be a good partner). More women who were sexually assaulted, compared to those who were not, experienced threats, jealous and controlling behavior, severe physical violence, stalking-related fear, sexual harassment, negative social identity perceptions, and lower sexual autonomy. Multivariate analysis found that sexual assault, more unwanted sexual attention, increased sexual coercion, lower safety efficacy, and more negative social identity perceptions were associated with sexual difficulties while sexual assault, higher safety efficacy, fewer resource losses, and fewer negative social identity perceptions were associated with increased sexual autonomy. Sexual assault, verbal sexual harassment, and resource losses were associated with more negative social identity perceptions. Understanding the full scope of stalking victimization and the negative impacts can inform the recovery journey and safety planning interventions.

Predictors of Cybersex Behavior among College Students in Karawang Indonesia

“…In terms of developmental tasks, college students experience urges and interests in sex as well as curiosity about sex. One of the issues is the increasing sexual needs, in which the sexual needs not only increase but also require sexual gratification that can be obtained from various sources, one of which is through the internet [12]. To fulfill this need, college students search for sexual content or sexual partners on the internet.…”

Mental Health and Recovery Needs Among Women Substance Use Disorder Treatment Clients With Stalking Victimization Experiences

“…Among women who have experienced partner abuse, as many as 60% report being stalked by that partner during periods of separation (Logan & Walker, 2009a, 2009b, 2017b). Many women sexually assaulted by acquaintances also experience stalking victimization from that person (Logan & Landhuis, 2023) Logan & Landhuis, 2023. Stalking is considered a lethality risk factor, particularly for women stalked by an abusive ex-partner (Campbell et al, 2003; Matias, Gonçalves, Soeiro, & Matos, 2020; McFarlane, Campbell, & Watson, 2002; Spencer & Stith, 2020).…”