Citation

James DV, Farnham FR, Sukhwal S, Jones K, Carlisle J, Henley S. J. Forensic Psychiatry Psychol. 2016; 27(2): 177-197.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2016, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/14789949.2015.1124908

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Politicians suffer intrusive and aggressive behaviours from members of the public, often lone actors fixated on personal grievances. Few explorations of intrusive behaviours towards politicians have been published; their results are not directly comparable. We surveyed intrusive/aggressive behaviours towards UK members of parliament (MPs); our survey instrument was then administered to MPs at three other parliaments (Queensland, New Zealand, and Norway), providing a cross-national, four-site comparison. 239 MPs completed the UK survey. This 38% response rate produced prevalence rates remarkably similar to the other sites, New Zealand having an 84% response rate. 81% of UK MPs had experienced one or more of the 12 behaviours specified, the mean being five. 18% had been subject to attack/attempted attack, 42% to threats to harm and 22% to property damage. In 53% of respondents, experiences met definitions of stalking or harassment. This has implications for the provision of risk assessment and management.

Language: en