Criminology Research Council grant ; (06/05-06)
Stalking has emerged since the early 1990s as a form of human behaviour which commands not only considerable public attention, but is increasingly attracting the interest of the police, the courts and mental health professionals (Mullen, Pathé & Purcell, 2008). The term stalking describes a constellation of behaviours in which one person repeatedly imposes on another unwanted contacts and/or communications to such an extent that the recipient fears for his or her safety. Considered individually, the behaviours associated with stalking may seem innocuous or inoffensive, for example, making phone calls, sending gifts or waiting nearby a person's home or workplace. When such acts are repeated over time, however, they can become more ominous for the recipient and potentially constitute a damaging form of victimisation.