Stalking Perpetration in Hong Kong: Exploring the Stalker-Victim Relationship

ABSTRACT

Little is known about stalking perpetration in the Asian context. This study examines the dynamics of stalking perpetration (i.e., offending characteristics, perpetration behaviors, motives, and other violent and nonviolent behaviors) among adults in Hong Kong by stalker-victim relationship (i.e., ex-intimate partner, non-intimate non-stranger, and stranger). Using a large sample of university students (N = 2,496) aged 18–40, the lifetime prevalence rate of stalking perpetration was 1.8% (n = 45; 3% males [n = 33], 0.9% females [n = 12]). Relative to non-stranger stalkers, significantly more stranger stalkers self-reported that they had stalked in the preceding month, and reported shorter stalking durations. A number of significant differences were found between different stalker-victim relational groups (i.e., ex-intimate partner vs. non-intimate non-stranger, and non-stranger vs. stranger) in stalking perpetration behaviors and motives. Relative to those who stalked a non-intimate non-stranger, significantly more ex-intimate stalkers reported that they had attacked/attempted to attack their victim’s pet. Conversely, stranger stalkers were more likely than non-stranger stalkers to have attacked/attempted to attack their victim or a friend or coworker of the victim. The findings may offer some Hong Kong-specific insights for police and threat assessment professionals when formulating investigation and management plans.

KEYWORDS:

• Stalking
• perpetration
• stalker-victim relationship
• stalking behavior
• stalking motive
• Hong Kong

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Notes

1. Ex-intimate partner stalking refers to stalking perpetrated by a former intimate partner (e.g., former spouse, former boyfriend/girlfriend, former sexual partner), whereas non-intimate non-stranger stalking is defined as stalking perpetrated against someone who is not a former intimate partner of the perpetrator (e.g., a friend, colleague, neighbor, acquaintance). Non-stranger stalking is defined as stalking perpetrated by someone against a victim where their social relationship is mutually acknowledged (e.g., intimate partner, family member, friend, acquaintance), while stranger stalking is referred to the stalking perpetrated against someone who has no prior relationship with the perpetrator (e.g., stranger relationship).

2. A total of 2,746 participants were approached to complete the questionnaire survey. Of these, 2,060 participants were targeted randomly within university campuses and the remaining 686 were invited to participate through different academic courses.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the City University of Hong Kong [7200367(SS)].