STALKING

Stalking

Abstract

Stalking is a continuous behavior over the period of time without the consent of the victim. It targets a specific person which involves a repetition of certain acts such as either being physically or visually close to that person. A non-assent communication is always a major tool used in the process of stalking. It involves numerous tools which can have disastrous effect on the life of the victim. This study intends to highlight the tools used and consequences an individual can face.

Table of Contents

Abstractii

Introduction1

Discussion2

Tools2

Cyber Stalking2

Collective Stalking2

Reactions of the Victim2

Consequences of Stalking3

Mental health3

Physical Health3

Avoiding Help4

Conclusion5

References6

Stalking

Introduction

Stalking is defined as the act of following or threatening a person in order to a force a relationship on the individual. The common practices of stalking include the acts such as tracking a person either physically or through other mediums, surface at a person's residence or place of his/her business, making repetitive phone calls from either the same or from the other, unknown numbers to a person, e-mails or leaving a stick note or message or any other object in order to make the person feel regarding the presence of the stalker or even going to the extent of causing damage to the individual's property (www.ncjrs.gov). Similarly like physical assault, kidnapping, fraud/theft stalking too is a crime falling in the jurisdiction of power and control. The concept of stalking was initially associated with celebrities being followed or harassed by strangers. However, the act of stalking has the dissimilar attributes associated with it as opposed to other crimes. Stalking isn't the term used for a singular act rather it is used to describe the series of actions which crop up over a period of time.

Stalking in itself is illegal but the elements associated to it do fall in the category of illegal acts. Such initial actions become illegal when those are performed over a period of time e.g. sending massages to an unknown recipient. (Turmanis.S and Brown.R, 2006). Stalking is an act which can reach out to anyone irrespective of the individual's gender, race, cast, creed, socio-economic status or geographic location. Like anyone who can be a stalker anyone can be a victim of stalking too. However, a common trend has been noticed among the stalkers that they are individuals with intelligence above average. Like other criminals stalkers can't be categorized as per the likeminded profiles which behave in a certain way, since every other human being is different, therefore, predicting similar actions might not be an effective idea. Despite of every human being different from the other, it has been observed that often stalking cases follow individual's which in any kind has been engaged in romantic relationships. The stalking victim is often seen by the stalker as the connection between him/her and his/her self-esteem, therefore, losing the victim transpires into the stalker's greatest fear. (Turmanis. S and Brown R. 2006).



Discussion

Tools used for Stalking

Cyber Stalking

This element involves the use of computers or any other electronic device which has access to the ...