Citation

Spitz MA. Soc. Work 2003; 48(4): 504-512.

Affiliation

Department of Social Welfare, University of California, Berkeley, Metairie, LA 70002, USA. maleitz@aol.com

Copyright

(Copyright © 2003, National Association of Social Workers)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

14620107

Abstract

Stalking is a dangerous and devastating crime that irrevocably changes the lives of victims but is frequently misunderstood and minimized. Victims report that their lives are never the same after they have been stalked. Stalking is prevalent and gender-neutral and occurs across all socioeconomic lines and in all clinical settings. The prevalence of stalking provides many opportunities for social workers to intervene, but first they must recognize and understand the problem. This article explains common misconceptions about stalking, contains a brief discussion of the types of stalking, the elements necessary to criminally charge someone with stalking, strategies for the victims, and suggestions for future research.

Language: en