What is the legal definition of stalking?

The term “stalking” means engaging in a course of conduct directed at a specific person that would cause a reasonable person to fear for his or her safety or the safety of others or suffer substantial emotional distress.

What are the elements of stalking?

In most States, to charge and convict a defendant of stalking, several elements must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt: a course of conduct or behavior, the presence of threats, and the criminal intent to cause fear in the victim.

What is a form of stalking?

Examples of stalking behaviors include: Repeated, unwanted phone calls, texts, messages, etc. that may or may not be threatening. Creating fake profiles to continue contacting a person after they have been blocked on their personal account. Observing, following or “coincidentally” showing up wherever the person goes.

What accurately describes stalking?

Stalking is behavior wherein an individual willfully and repeatedly engages in a knowing course of harassing conduct directed at another person, which reasonably and seriously alarms, torments, or terrorizes that person. Stalking involves one person’s obsessive behavior toward another person.

Which of the following may be considered stalking?

Stalking is Behavior that would cause a reasonable person to feel frightened, threatened or intimidated; and actually causes these reactions in the person being contacted, monitored, harassed or followed.

Which of the following is an example of stalking?

Examples of stalking may include: Following you around or spying on you. Sending you unwanted emails or letters. Calling you often.

What is the criminal intent element required for stalking?

The criminal act element required for stalking varies, but in general it is repeatedly engaging in a course of conduct that poses a credible threat to the victim’s safety, including following, harassing, approaching, or pursuing the victim.

What is the purpose of stalking?

Motivation for stalking is not primarily sexual, but is more like to include anger and hostility towards the victim, often stemming from actual or perceived rejection of the stalker by the victim (4). Victims perceive control and obsessional behavior as primary motives of the stalker (2).

What is the most common type of stalking?

Simple Obsessional: This is the most common type of stalker. The stalker is usually a male and the focus of the stalking is an ex-wife, ex-lover or former boss. In intimate relationships, the stalking frequently starts before the break-up.

What is the meaning of are you stalking me?

Stalking is the act of following someone or something very closely and watching its every move. If you’re a very famous movie star, it’s quite likely that someone is stalking you even as you read this sentence! The verb to stalk means to pursue carefully, and often stealthily.

What does a victim often feel when he or she was being stalked?

Stalking victims may feel vulnerable and unsafe, and many say they feel they are always looking over their shoulder. Many victims come to believe that the stalking is never going to end, which can lead to feelings of isolation, anger, frustration, depression, and hopelessness.

What are the four categories of stalking covered in the chapTer?

Although all of these typologies are useful, for the purposes of this chapter four main categories of stalking will be discussed: (1) stalking as an extension M 72109_Ch09_Roberts_v1.indd 267 Achorn International 07/02/2009 10:27AM © Jones and Bartlett Publishers, LLC. NOT FOR SALE OR DISTRIBUTION Page 8 268 chapTer 9 …

What kinds of behaviors will a court consider to show intent?

THE FOUR DIFFERENT KINDS OF CRIMINAL INTENT

  • Purposeful or Willful. Committed by a person who is fully aware of the intended consequences of their actions and who wants to see the result come to fruition.
  • Knowing.
  • Reckless.
  • Criminally Negligent.

How is intent proven?

In California, most crimes require a general intent. If the criminal act is completed by taking action, general intent can be proven by showing that you intended to perform the act. Some criminal acts are the failure to take an action that a statute requires.

Who is likely to be a victim of stalking?

The majority of stalking victims are women and most stalkers are men, but men can be victims, too. Three out of four stalking victims were stalked by someone they know; of these, 45 percent of stalkers were acquaintances of the victim and 30 percent were intimate partners.

What are characteristics of stalkers?

The Profile Of A Stalker The fantasies can be love oriented or angry and vengeful. Rejected: Many stalkers have a history of failed relationships or have trouble communicating with others. Intelligent: Most stalkers are intelligent and they carefully plan their stalking behavior. Most just lack social skills.

What are stalkers capable of?

Stalkers are, by their very nature, obsessive and dangerous. 23 Regardless of typology, you should always consider stalkers capable of killing their victims. Anyone the stalker perceives as impeding his or her contact with the victim, including police, prosecutors, and advocates, is also at risk.

What does it mean to go stalking?

Stalking is unwanted and/or repeated surveillance by an individual or group toward another person. Stalking behaviors are interrelated to harassment and intimidation and may include following the victim in person or monitoring them.

What is the meaning of stalking a girl?

a person who illegally follows and watches someone over a period of time: Several well-known women have been troubled by stalkers recently. Stalkers often use instant messaging on mobile phones to harass victims. Compare.

What are the consequences of stalking?

Stalking victims report numerous, severe, life-changing effects from being stalked, including physical, social, and psychological harm. They typically experience mood, anxi- ety, and posttraumatic stress symptoms that require prompt evaluation and treatment.