Female stalkers and their victims

Area of Science:

• Forensic Psychology
• Clinical Psychology
• Criminology

Background:

• Female stalking is less studied than male stalking.
• Understanding motivations and risk factors is crucial for intervention.

Purpose of the Study:

• To characterize demographic, clinical, and forensic features of female stalkers.
• To identify motivations and victim characteristics associated with female stalking.
• To inform clinical and risk management strategies for female stalking cases.

Main Methods:

• Archival study of 82 female stalkers.
• Data collected from the United States, Canada, and Australia.
• Analysis of demographic, clinical, and forensic information.

Main Results:

• Female stalkers were typically single, educated women in their mid-30s, often with personality disorders like borderline personality disorder.
• They frequently threatened violence, increasing the likelihood of actual violence; 25% committed interpersonal violence, with minor injuries and limited weapon use.
• Victims were often male acquaintances, but former sexual intimates posed a >50% risk of violence.
• Motivations included anger, loneliness, jealousy, and a desire to establish intimacy, differing from male stalkers' pursuit to restore intimacy.

Conclusions:

• Female stalking is distinct, often driven by a desire to initiate intimacy rather than restore it.
• Clinical assessment should consider personality disorders and the specific relationship to the victim.
• Risk management strategies need to account for the potential for violence, particularly with former intimate partners.