Gender differences in stalking behaviour among juveniles

Abstract

There is emerging recognition that stalking is a problem behaviour among juveniles. As gender differences in the nature of stalking have been observed to exist in adult stalkers, it is important to ascertain whether gender differences are also apparent in juvenile perpetrators. This study compared the characteristics and motivations of stalking behaviour in an Australian sample of juvenile perpetrators (n=299), assembled from an archival search of court applications for an intervention order. The majority of juvenile perpetrators were male (64%). The results indicated that there were no significant gender differences in the duration of stalking, the number of stalking methods used, or the frequency of associated threats and physical violence. However gender differences were apparent in the choice of victim, including the rates of same gender stalking, and the motivations for stalking. Implications for the management of stalking behaviours in male and female juveniles are discussed.

Adolescent stalking and risk of violence

“…For example, McCann (2000a,b) reported that among his 13 youth stalkers the primary motive was desire for intimacy and sexual contact. Yet, Purcell et al (2010) found intimacy seeking and sexual predation were the least likely motives for stalking and the majority of stalkers in Fisher et al's (2014) sample were previous non-intimate acquaintances. Relatedly, a meta-analysis of adult samples indicated only 12% of stalking cases involved sexual violence (Spitzberg & Cupach, 2007).…”

“…For example, Purcell et al (2010) found that two-thirds of the sample of perpetrators were male. Fisher et al (2014) similarly found that significantly more males (6.5%) reported stalking perpetration relative to females (4.2%).…”

“…Fisher et al (2014) similarly found that significantly more males (6.5%) reported stalking perpetration relative to females (4.2%). In the sample of adjudicated youth, the motives and tactics of stalking differed by gender (Purcell et al, 2010). Specifically, girls tended to be more motivated by bullying and engage in more harassing phone calls, spreading of spiteful rumors, and enlisting others to help harass the victim compared to boys.…”

“…Specifically, girls tended to be more motivated by bullying and engage in more harassing phone calls, spreading of spiteful rumors, and enlisting others to help harass the victim compared to boys. In contrast, boys were more likely to be motivated by sexual rejection and predation and engage in property damage and surveillance/loitering (Purcell et al, 2010). Fisher et al (2014) reported that males were more likely to show up places they were not wanted.…”

“…Yet, despite a vast literature addressing problems and consequences of stalking, the majority of the research has been restricted to adults and the little research with juveniles that does exist has generally been confined to case studies, small foreign based forensic samples, and anecdotal evidence (Leitz & Theriot, 2005; Roberts, Tolou-Shams, & Madera, 2016). In fact, a pervasive trend in the literature on adolescent stalking is to note the lack of literature on adolescent stalking (e.g., Evans & Meloy, 2011; Fisher et al, 2014; Leitz & Theriot, 2005; McCann, 2000a,b; Purcell, Moller, Flower, & Mullen, 2009; Purcell, Pathe, & Mullen, 2010; Roberts et al, 2016; Vaidya, Chalhoub, & Newing, 2005). In their systematic review, Roberts et al (2016) identified only three peer-reviewed empirical studies of stalking that reported on adolescent samples (Fisher et al, 2014; Purcell et al, 2009, 2010), two of which reported on the same sample.…”