Victims of Stalking and Social Work

Physicial Mental Health Effects of Being Stalked: Men and Women

Stalking is a common problem and one that results in adverse mental and health effects for both men and women who are stalked. The National Institute of Justice reports that stalking victims "have higher levels of fear and distress, including anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder and depression symptoms. Several studies indicate that partner stalking independently contributes to victim fear and distress." (2014, p.1) Stalking victimization is reported to be linked to "a range of fears and significant psychological distress." (National Institute of Justice, 2014, p. 1) Of individuals who were stalked it is reported that 68% were stalked by an ex-partner while 78% were reported to have had "meal scale scores for somatic symptoms, anxiety, social dysfunction and severe depression that were similar to symptoms reported by psychiatric outpatient populations." (National Institute of Justice, 2014, p. 1) In addition, it is reported that when partner stalking occurred "within the context of a current or former relationship that was violent, victim fear and distress is significantly increased." (National Institute of Justice, 2014, p. 1) Reported as well is that stalking victims "with histories of partner violence experienced over three times as many anxiety symptoms as stalking victims with no history of partner violence with the stalker." (National Institute of Justice, 2014. p. 1) The National Institute of Justice reports that in a sample of 187 who were stalked by a partner and who experienced violence during the relationship "had higher distress levels than women who had not experienced violence during the relationship." (2014, p. 1) According to the National Institute of Justice studies have indicated that "partner stalking contributes uniquely to fear and/or distress after controlling for other forms of partner violence." (2014, p. 1) It is reported that in a comparison of "the experiences of three groups of partner violence victims who had obtained civil protective orders (1) partner violence victims who experienced no stalking and no protective order violations, (2) partner stalking victims who experienced ongoing protective order violations but no stalking, and (3) partner violence victims who experienced protective order violations and stalking, results indicate that stalking victims experience significantly higher fear of future harm and distress than even those with ongoing violations but no stalking." (National Institute of Justice, 2014, p. 1) In addition, it is reported that victims of partner violence "experienced a wide range of fears.