This article conducts research into the psychological effects stalking has on victims in the long-term, while the only drawback of the article is that it exclusively focuses on female victims it is not too far of stretch to assume that the same results could be applied to male victims as well. The following study was conducted by Timothy M. Diette and associates to see what or if any mental health issues persisted into later life as a consequence of being stalked, the researchers looked into several factors during the study such as the victim’s age, their mental health prior to the stalking, and if they had any other exposure to traumatic incidents. The study selected women from the National Comorbidity Survey Replication, the National Survey of American Life, and the National Latino and Asian American Study which are well suited for measuring ones emotional and mental health since the three surveys can be evaluated the same way and that they measure one’s well-being on life-long timeline instead of just focusing on the years where the stalking occurred. Diette and associates used logistical analysis on the data collected from the surveys, by estimating the psychological distress in comparison to the life stage the individual was in; which included : “Adolescence (ages 12–17), Early Emerging Adulthood (ages 18–22), Late Emerging Adulthood (ages 23–29), and Early Middle Age (ages 30–45)” (Diette et all., 2014).
They also found that childhood sexual abuse was the most common trauma that lead to PTSD symptoms. These findings are in line with previous research on this topic or similar topics to this one. Although childhood sexual assault was the common, the authors noted that being stalked and being threatened produces the most severe symptoms of PTSD in the regression equation. Another finding that was consistent with previous research is that sudden death of a loved one was a traumatic even experienced more frequently by the participants. Even though this was a very diverse group in terms of ethnicity, it still found that men experienced robbery and stranger assault more frequently than women. These findings are also consistent with other research. The authors expressed that because the diagnoses were not based on research-based diagnoses but from clinical charts it may not be as reliable. They also noted that there may be some groups that were not represented in the study, such as those living with SMI in the inner
Principal points that Ms. Steiner makes in her presentation are that this is an issue that happens to everyone everywhere. Your age, race and gender do not necessarily matter. This is not just a woman’s issue. However, girls ages 16 to 24 are three times more likely to be victims. Ms. Steiner also states that victims are not alone experiencing stalking or domestic violence you are in “good company” since this is a large issue. The best way to stop the abuse is to break the silence. You cannot be afraid to speak up and get help because domestic violence thrives on a victim’s silence. Ms. Steiner describes the “progression” of steps in an abusive relationship as first this person will make you trust them. They will make you idolize them, and believe in them. They then seduce, and charm you and once you fall for this they will isolate you. They will take you away from everyone and everything that has value to you, the victim. The third step in the progression is then to introduce the threat of violence so for her it was that her husband bought guns. Long term stalking and murder are common after ending the relationship. In a way Ms. Steiner answered the
In this book, Dunn approaches the cold hard facts to intimate stalking, and the effect it has on its’ victims. Using first hand interviews and prior research, the book introduces all the different stages of stalking, as well as the different effects that these stages have on victims. The book also explores the relationship between the criminal justice system and the victims as well. Dunn highlights the idea of “secondary victimization” explaining that many of these women struggle with the justice system because they are not being taken seriously, which gives them more feelings of victimization because of our justice system. The cases of victimization are very difficult to prosecute because of the lack of evidence, and reliance on hearsay of the victim, which is difficult because some people use this law to frame their ex-significant others in order to get back at them. The different stages of stalking and different reactions of victims are discussed in the following paragraphs.
Throughout the world, we hear many stories about individuals being victimized, and individuals who have are the perpetrators. Also, many of these news segments are based off of headed situations between intimate relationships. Many relationships become this way because of stress about work, paying bills, past circumstances, and much more. There are many micro and macro level risk factors that pertain to victims (prior history of intimate partner violence, female sex, and youth), and perpetration (anger issues, low self-esteem, low income, and depression). “These factors are some of the very important factors that shape victimization and perpetration in intimate partner violence” (Seccombe, 2015, p.318).
Organized stalking is a very well know reality occurring to an untold amount of people a crossed the United States. Our U.S Government and intelligence agencies are fully aware of this. They are also aware of its direct purpose of the slow destruction of the targeted individual’s life this includes the deliberate ending of their life. Mr. Ted L. Gunderson (1929-2011) retired from the F.B.I as Senior Special Agent – In-Charge of the Los Angeles Field Office. In his affidavit dated 26 April 2011 he refers to organized stalking by its slang name gang stalking.
As mentioned earlier, most of these studies were done regarding females who had already filed for a protective order, who were Caucasian, and in their early 30s. However protective orders do not stop stalking and some females do not have the courage to go get the protective order to help protect them against their current or former romantic partner. Although all of these studies focus on females, males are just as susceptible to experience stalking and other forms of abuse. Finally while most victims of stalking are Caucasian females, stalking can span across all races, ages, and level of education. Percentages are shown so one can see that it really does and can happen to anyone.
Richard Ramirez is an infamous serial murderer who terrorized Los Angeles, California in 1985. The media gave him the name the “Night Stalker” when he was on his vicious rampage of forcing himself into the homes of his victims late at night and committing his heinous crimes. Though he was only convicted of thirteen murders, he had many more victims. His crimes were so random, disorganized, and impulsive that the law enforcement officials of Los Angeles had no luck finding Ramirez for months as he grew increasingly more violent. (Tripod.com, 2012) Finally, in August of 1985, the police had enough information from many of his victims to release a sketch of him to the media. The sketch had only been on the news for one
This week we were assigned to read chapter twelve which shed light on the topic of stalking and homicide. This chapter really defined the term stalking and what it actually consists of such as the warning signs. It also brings attention to what laws are in place for stalking and how police officers are to handle cases of stalking.
While not a somatic assault, emotional abuse can cause lasting effects on a woman’s health, so much so that researcher, B. Van Houdenhove and others working on the project have found “that emotional abuse and neglect may be contributing factors to the development and/or severity of illnesses such as chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia” (Karakurt and Silver). Finally, emotional abuse is a rampant issue, Karakurt and Silver report that “Psychological aggression by an intimate partner was reported by 48.4% of women,” which was found in the National Intimate Partner & Sexual Violence Survey (“Emotional Abuse in Intimate Relationships: The Role of Gender and Age”). Nearly half of the population of women report being victims to psychological abuse, making it a widespread epidemic faced by not only women in dystopian novels but also real life. Psychological abuse can take many verbal and non-verbal forms, which can put great strain on a woman’s health, and affects nearly half the population of the United States.
High school is a time where teens are first getting into relationships and having sex. Unfortunately, this is also a time where teenagers can be victims to peer sexual harassment, sexual assault, and teen dating violence. According to the Miller-Perrin, Perrin, and Renzetti (2017), consequences to peer sexual harassment is that victims feel lower self-esteem, confidence, grades, lack of sleep and appetite, increased levels of depression, and more likely to miss school (p. 179). Consequences of sexual assault could both physical and psychological. Physical health outcomes could range from the actual injuries sustained during the assault, possible STDs, headaches, and insomnia. While psychological outcomes could include PTSD symptoms and thoughts of suicide. There is also a risk of re-victimization later in adulthood, possible due to increased drug use after an assault (Miller-Perrin et al, 2017, p.188). Consequences of teen dating violence could include increase substance abuse, thoughts of suicide, social withdrawal, depression, and the development of eating disorders (Miller-Perrin et al, 2017, p. 195). Another part of teen dating violence is stalking. According to the Miller-Perrin, Perrin, and Renzetti (2017), stalking is defined as causing someone to feel fearful through threats or unwanted contact. (p. 192). Stalking can be done by current and former partners in person or over technology. Within the era of technology, former and current partners are forcing their partners to give up their passwords or use social media against them to make them
1 in 7 women and 1 in 18 men have been stalked by an intimate partner during their lifetime to the point in which they felt very fearful or believed that they or someone close to them would be harmed or killed
Immediately upon hearing about another abusive case in the news, many people’s minds are triggered to automatically associate violence in relationships with adults. In reality, our society is often unaware that 1 in 3 teens experience dating violence on a daily basis. This is a total of 1.5 million students across the country, according to the National Dating Abuse Hotline and awareness group, Break the Cycle. Meaning, in an average American graduating class of three hundred, one hundred of those students will have experienced forms of physical, emotional, psychological, sexual, verbal, financial, technological or spiritual/cultural abuse. “Dating violence is controlling, abusive, and aggressive behavior in
IntroductionIn recent history, dating violence has become a paramount issue in American society. With the rates of domestic violence on the rise, much research has been conducted that provides evidence that violence during dating relationships in the teen years is a strong contributing factor to later domestic violence. Current research is revealing that a far larger percentage of teens are suffering from some amount of physical, sexual, or emotional abuse in their dating relationships. Studies have shown that both those who engage in the violent behaviors, as well as those who are the victims of these acts are more likely to be involved in violent relationships in the future. The significant number of individuals involved in these
The abuse is usually frequent enough that the victim internalizes it. This leaves the victim feeling fearful, insignificant, untrusting, emotionally needy, and unlovable. Survivors of this form of abuse have a hard time understanding why they feel so bad (Munro, K. 2001.).
My last year in college, changed the whole course of my life. Near the end of my junior year, I befriended a guy, who never would become my boyfriend. I knew he was infatuated with me, so I lead him on. He ended up stalking me and making several death threats. I never understood the phrase “in fear of your life”, until then. Tallahassee Police Department (TPD) got involved but there wasn’t much they could do except file a police report and wait. This was a very frightening time in my life and consequently I became very disconnected with life. I never provided TPD with my stalker’s name, in fear that he would kill me if I did. I moved to a different apartment complex across town, thinking that it would make all my problems go away. He ended up finding me and making more serious death threats against me and my family if I didn’t leave Tallahassee.