Stalking Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Stalking - Essay Example Most stalkers have been exposed, through social interaction or observation, to factors like violence. B Turvey (2002: 509) defines stalking as â€Å"a crime involving the behavioral intrusion of one person in the life of another that is maladaptive.† One incident of intrusion into an individuals live is not considered stalking, multiple incidents must occur. This is why delusional or paranoid schizophrenic individuals are not the majority stalkers. In fact, delusional or paranoid schizophrenic individuals are not defined as stalkers under the law and psychological definitions (Davis, 2001: 5). These individuals are diagnosed as having a mental illness, not being a stalker. Most stalkers live outwardly normal lives (Davis, 2001: 5). Stalkers fall into a few general categories. The majority of stalkers were in a relationship with their victim, but feel the victim has wronged them someway. Another common stalker is the secret admirer type. A man or woman who have a crush on an individual and wants to be noticed (Davis, 2001: 5). Most stalkers are men, but women can stalk as well. Control is a common issue with stalkers. Stalkers tend to feel out of control, so in response they try to regain that control through stalking. The first type of stalker is of a scorned lover or husband. When a spouse decides that it is over, the stalker feels the control slipping from their hands. The same goes with the secret admirer that does not get noticed. When the secret admirer does not get noticed through normal methods, stalking makes their victims focus on them, giving them more control. The most common stalker is one of an ex-spouse. While the man is stalking the woman or vice versa, the children are observing this behavior. In turn these children start exhibiting stalking traits (Pinals, 2007: 3). A child observing a stalking situation probably feel sympathetic with the stalker, because the stalker has the power. The child despises the victim, because