The Fear Factor

The crime of stalking has received much research attention, yet there are still important questions to be explored surrounding this behavior. One such question relates to definitions of stalking, including the requirement that victims must express fear to qualify as victims of stalking. The current study addresses this issue by exploring the “fear factor” among stalking victims. In particular, the authors examine the effects situational and victim characteristics have on the fear experienced by stalking victims. Furthermore, as stalking is a crime of repeated pursuit, precursors to fear are examined at two points during the stalking encounter: when the pursuit first began and as it progressed. The results revealed not only that certain situational and victim characteristics produced fear in victims but also that these influences differed across time periods.

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