Stalking and Intrusive Behaviors in Ghana: Perceptions and Victimization Experiences

Abstract

Most studies of stalking and other forms of intrusive behavior are conducted in the West. Little is known about the phenomenon in the African context. The present work represents the first dedicated stalking study conducted in Ghana. Based on a sample of 371 male and female university students, this study explored the gender distribution of overall perceptions and experiences, and frequency and duration of personal worst experiences of stalking and intrusive behavior. Several significant gender differences were noted. Females were generally more likely than males to perceive a range of intrusive activities as unacceptable. Females and males were equally likely to have experienced aggression and surveillance, and unwanted attention types of behaviors, while males were more likely than females to have experienced persistent courtship and impositions, and courtship and information seeking types of behaviors. In respect of their worst experience of intrusive behavior, females were more likely to report unwanted communications, aggressive courtship, property damage, and harassment of third parties, whilst males were more likely to have been threatened with harm. More than half of our participants (55.5%) were judged to have been stalked. Given the devastating nature and impact of stalking victimization, the findings may provide impetus to increase awareness of stalking in Ghana and add urgency to calls for anti-stalking legislation.

Who Are the Stalkers in Hong Kong? Examining Stalking Perpetration Behaviors and Motives of Young Adults

“…There are various definitions of stalking, from a narrow legal definition that requires the stalker to demonstrate intent and the victim to feel fear, to broader definitions that encompass lists of constituent behaviors (see [ 4 ]). Although most of the research on stalking has been conducted in Australia, the U.S., and the U.K., an increasing number of studies conducted in under-researched populations (e.g., Denmark, Finland, Germany, Ghana, Hong Kong, Lithuania, mainland China, the Netherlands, Portugal, South Africa, Singapore, and Spain) have found stalking to be a common, and perhaps universal, problem [ 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 ]. The traditional view of stalking is that the perpetrators of stalking are more likely to be male, whereas the victims are more likely to be female [ 10 ].…”

Is This Stalking? Perceptions and Victimization Experiences of Stalking and Intrusive Behaviors in Hong Kong, Mainland China, and Ghana

“…The modified version of the “Stalking: International perceptions and prevalence” questionnaire (SIPPQ) developed by Sheridan et al [ 41 ] was used in this study. The original and modified versions of the measures (consisting of 42 and 47 stalking and intrusive behaviors, respectively) were adopted in at least 10 other studies [ 13 , 14 , 16 ], with samples recruited in 14 countries (Armenia, Australia, Egypt, England, Finland, Ghana, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Portugal, Scotland, Singapore, and Trinidad). The samples collected were from a mix of community and university students, but none were regarded as representative of the wider population.…”

“…Notably, recent research has consistently demonstrated that stalking and intrusive incidents are not unusual and possibly occur in every country [ 12 , 13 , 14 ]. An increasing number of empirical studies conducted with samples from under-researched populations in recent years (e.g., Denmark, Finland, Germany, Ghana, Hong Kong, Lithuania, mainland China, the Netherlands, Portugal, South Africa, Singapore, and Spain) found that the prevalence rates of stalking and intrusive incidents to range from 5% to 55% [ 7 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 ].…”

“…In addition to studies on stalkers and victims of stalking, an increasing number of studies were conducted on laypersons’ perceptions of stalking. Empirical studies on perceptions of stalking have primarily sought to identify and characterize behaviors that the public regards as stalking and intrusive behavior [ 7 , 16 , 24 , 25 , 26 ]. Empirical research on public perceptions of stalking can elucidate the extent to which the public is aware of the nature and adverse consequences of stalking incidents.…”

“…The data were collected from a survey of university students in Hong Kong, mainland China, and Ghana regarding their perceptions and victimization experiences of stalking and intrusive behaviors as well as the frequency and duration of their worst stalking victimization experiences. To date, only six such empirical studies were conducted with samples recruited from Hong Kong, mainland China, and Ghana (i.e., perceptions of stalking behavior in Hong Kong and mainland China [ 7 ], psychosocial characteristics of stalking victims in Hong Kong [ 15 ], perceptions and experiences of stalking victimization in Ghana [ 16 ], stalking victim coping strategies in Hong Kong [ 18 ], stalker–victim relationships in Hong Kong [ 20 ], stalking perpetration behaviors and motives in Hong Kong [ 27 ]). Given the scarcity of research into the perceptions and experiences of stalking victimization in these areas, this study is important not only to advance our knowledge of stalking behavior but also to fill a gap in the literature on geographical diversity by drawing from under-researched populations.…”