Who Are the Stalkers in Hong Kong? Examining Stalking Perpetration Behaviors and Motives of Young Adults

Bibliographic Data

ID15499394
AuthorsHeng Choon Chan (0000-0001-9486-3277, City University of Hong Kong, corresponding author)
Year2021
Volume18
Issue23
Pages12798-12798
Publication date2021-12-04
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueInternational Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1661-7827 • E-ISSN: 1660-4601
PublisherMultidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (PUBLISHER • CH)
DOI10.3390/ijerph182312798
PMID34886525
OpenAlexW4200203582
LanguageEN
Citations received5
References cited10

Information on the stalking perpetration dynamics of young male and female adults in Asian countries is scarce, particularly in relation to stalkers' offending characteristics, perpetration behaviors, motives, and other violent and nonviolent behaviors. This study compares the stalking perpetration dynamics (i.e., offending characteristics, lifetime stalking perpetration behaviors and motives, and other violent and nonviolent behaviors) of young male and female adults in Hong Kong. Of the 2496 participants, recruited from all eight public and two private universities in Hong Kong, 45 participants (1.8%; mean age = 22.84 years) reported stalking perpetration during their lifetimes (33 males (mean age = 22.56 years) and 12 females (mean age = 23.58 years)). Significantly more males than females reported that they had engaged in stalking perpetration in the past 12 months. In general, participants most frequently perpetrated surveillance-oriented stalking behaviors, followed by approach-oriented stalking behaviors and intimidation- and aggression-oriented stalking behaviors. Significantly more females than males reported to have threatened to harm or kill their victims. Additionally, significantly more females than males reported "the victim caught me doing something" as their motive for stalking. The findings of our study provide useful information for prioritization during criminal investigations. Increased understanding of the stalking perpetration dynamics of males and females will help the police and threat assessment professionals to formulate their investigation and management plans

Aggression · Criminology · Harassment · Harm · Injury prevention · Intimidation · Medical emergency · Poison control · Stalking · Suicide prevention · Clinical Psychology · Cybercrime and Law Enforcement Studies · Human Factors and Ergonomics · Medicine · Psychology · Sexuality, Behavior, and Technology · Social Psychology · Stalking, Cyberstalking, and Harassment

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