Experiences and Needs of Formerly Intimate Stalking Victims in Southeastern Pennsylvania, 1991-1995

This study sought to explore the nature of the stalking
experiences of noncelebrity stalking victims who had previously been
in intimate relationships with their stalkers. These were cases in
which the stalkers were seeking revenge and/or reconciliation through
stalking. Data were collected from 187 female stalking victims during
1991-1995 living in Chester, Delaware, Bucks, Philadelphia, and
Montgomery counties in southeastern Pennsylvania. Data collection was
comprised of an extensive, semistructured, face-to-face interview
conducted with each woman to gather information concerning the nature
of the stalking, the relationship between the victim and the stalker,
the victim's response to the stalking, the consequences of the
stalking for the victim, the needs of stalking victims in general, and
fulfillment of those needs in terms of victim services and interaction
with and cooperation from the criminal justice system. A brief survey
questionnaire was also administered to obtain demographic information
about each victim and her stalker. Content analysis of the interview
transcripts was used to identify variables. Each variable fell into
one of six categories: (1) victim's prior relationship with the
stalker, (2) characteristics of the stalking, (3) victim's attempt to
discourage the stalker (through both legal and extralegal mechanisms),
(4) assistance sought by the victim through formal and informal
networks and the subsequent handling of the situation by others, (5)
the physical and emotional effects of the stalking on the victim, and
(6) other victimization experiences. Demographic variables include
the age, race, education level, marital status, and employment status
of both the victim and the stalker.