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Post break-up stalking: Police-officers' perceptions
Rita Mesquita1, Mariana Gonçalves1, Célia Ferreira2
1School of Psychology, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.
Behavioral Sciences & the Law
|September 25, 2022
Summary
Police perceptions of stalking are influenced by behavior severity and gender stereotypes. Findings highlight the need for improved police training on stalking post-intimate relationship breakup.
Area of Science:
- Criminology
- Psychology
- Sociology
Background:
- Stalking, defined by persistent unwanted behaviors, significantly disrupts victims' lives and is increasing.
- Portugal recently criminalized stalking, yet it remains an understudied phenomenon.
- Understanding police perceptions is crucial for effective intervention and victim support.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess police officers' perceptions of stalking following intimate relationship breakups.
- To examine how scenario severity, victim sex, and perpetrator sex influence these perceptions.
- To identify factors affecting police officers' understanding and response to stalking.
Main Methods:
- A modified 'Reasonable Perceptions of Stalking' questionnaire was administered to 1212 police officers.
- Vignettes depicting stalking scenarios manipulated severity, victim sex, and perpetrator sex.
- Statistical analysis examined main effects and significant influencing variables.
Main Results:
- Scenario severity, victim sex, and perpetrator sex significantly impacted perceptions of stalking severity, criminality, victim alert, fear, victim-blaming, and intervention needs.
- Police officers' sex, prior training, and personal/professional experience with stalking were significant factors.
- Gender stereotypes continue to influence perceptions and responses to stalking.
Conclusions:
- Police perceptions of stalking are shaped by scenario characteristics and ingrained gender stereotypes.
- Findings underscore the necessity for specialized police training to address biases and improve stalking interventions.
- Addressing gender stereotypes is vital for enhancing law enforcement's effectiveness in stalking cases.
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