The Impact of Criminalization of Stalking on Italian Students: Adherence to Stalking Myths

Abstract

Although behaviors that we today identify as stalking have occurred throughout history, the recognition and systematic investigation of stalking are quite recent. Italy’s antistalking law is fairly new, and factors such as cultural myths, stereotypical beliefs, and definitional ambiguities continue to cause problems in the interpretation and recognition of stalking among the general public. This study examined perceptions and attitudes of 2 groups of Italian criminology students at 2 different times, before and after the implementation of Italy’s 2009 antistalking law. The Stalking Attitudes Questionnaire (McKeon, Ogloff, & Mullen, 2009) was administered to samples in 2007 and 2010. Results revealed significant changes in some beliefs and attitudes between the pre- and post-assessments. Interpretation suggests that the combination of Italian antistalking legislation and increased attention to research seem to have decreased students’ adherence to stalking myths.

KEYWORDS:

• criminology
• harassment
• Italian students
• perception
• stalking
• violence

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The authors wish to thank B. McKeon, J. Ogloff, and P. E. Mullen for permitting the use of their Stalking Attitudes Questionnaire and the students of the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, of Bari and of Messina for participating in this research by filling out the questionnaire.

ORCID

Laura De Fazio

http://orcid.org/0000-0002-3412-3784

Chiara Sgarbi

http://orcid.org/0000-0002-3028-8979

Brian H. Spitzberg

http://orcid.org/0000-0003-3838-6052

Notes

¹ Data were only collected for year of birth; therefore, age was approximated by subtracting year of birth from the year data were collected.

² The SAQ was developed as part of the doctoral dissertation of Dr. Bronwyn McKeon (2009). It was one aspect of a larger project examining community and police perceptions of stalking. It was based on literature at the time describing different types of stalkers and stalking behaviors (e.g., Mullen, Pathè, & Purcell, 2000). Concepts used in Burt’s (1980) Rape Myth Scale were also translated to be appropriate to stalking. Additionally, some items were hypothesized to be attitudes held by stalkers.