Below weexplore the stalking typologies, motives and risks:
As noted in earlier blogs,stalkers are not a synonymous group. Rather, they can look like anyone andenter victims’ lives in a variety of ways. However, after years of researchinto stalking behaviour, themes and patterns have been identified. As such,five key typologies have been established. These help us to deconstruct how astalker presents, understand what motivates them and anticipate future actions.Positively, being able to review offending in this way allows us to betterassess risk, offer a personalised, relevant response, and ultimately, protectvictims.
It should be noted that theofficial, clinical terms of ‘ex-intimate partner’ and ‘stranger’ are adoptedbelow. However, these should be understood loosely. ‘Stranger stalking’ doesnot always relate to a perpetrator that is completely unknown and unconnectedto the victim. This group can be made up of acquaintances, colleagues, clients,friends and so on. Similarly, ‘ex-intimate partners’ are not always ex-husbandsand ex-wives. This term also includes former boyfriends, girlfriends andcasual, intimate relationships.
Rejected Stalkers:
Who are they?
Rejected stalkers are the mostcommon stalking typology. They are primarily ex-partners, however, can extendto other groups whereby there has been a loss of a deeply significant, intimaterelationship.
What initiates the behaviour?
Rejected stalkers are motivated bythe loss or breakdown of a significant relationship. Initially, their focus isreconciliation, however this can quickly transition to/between revenge. Victimshave noted a rapid transition in the tone of a stalker’s contact, fluctuatingbetween messages of love and begging for forgiveness, to insults and threats.
What sustains the behaviour?
For rejected stalkers, theirbehaviour allows for an imitation of the intimacy that they have lost. Whetherthe contact is positive or negative, any communication (or perceivedcommunication) with the victim acts as a semblance of the missing closeness. Itis for this reason that we advise against blocking your perpetrator – if thestalker believes that they are engaging with you, their behaviour is lesslikely to escalate. However, if they feel that they have lost theircommunication channel, this can motivate physical appearances at the victim’shome, workplace etc.
Resentful Stalkers:
Who are they?
Resentful stalkers fit into the‘stranger’ category. However, often they will have had contact with the victimor their work at some point to initiate their obsession and resentfulness. Thisgroup is rare and highly unique in their motivations.
What initiates the behaviour?
These stalkers view themselves aschampioning positive action and fighting an injustice. As such, their motivationcentres around revenge. Identifying as a victim or oppressed, resentfulstalkers feel it is their duty to fight back.
What sustains the behaviour?
Resentful stalkers derive satisfactionfrom the power and control that stalking brings them. Feeling that theiractions are causing harm to their victim instils a sense of dominance andmotivates them to continue, if not escalate their behaviour.
Intimacy Seekers:
Who are they?
Intimacy stalkers are understoodto be ‘stranger’ stalkers. Although they can be a complete stranger to thevictim, they can also be known through casual contact or as an acquaintance.They do not identify as a perpetrator or having a ‘victim’, as they see no malicein their intentions or actions.
What initiates the behaviour?
Intimacy seekers usuallyexperience loneliness or a lack of love/partner. Their behaviour is initiatedby attempting to establish an intimate relationship with their chosen victim.Sometimes their stalking behaviour begins covertly, however, eventuallypresents overtly as they attempt to declare or demonstrate their love.
What sustains the behaviour?
Intimacy seekers are gratified bytheir sense of being in love. The relationship can be entirely fantasied ordelusional, but they often skew their victim’s behaviour and interpret it asreciprocal and loving. When questioned, intimacy stalkers will not usually denytheir actions, as they often do not understand it to be something negative orshameful.
Incompetent Suitors:
Who are they?
Very similar to the aboveintimacy seeker, incompetent suitors are ‘stranger’ stalkers, usuallyconsisting of genuine strangers, but also casual contacts and acquaintances.They are also motivated by loneliness, but dissimilar to the romantic nature ofintimacy seekers, they have a stronger sense of lust.
What initiates the behaviour?
Incompetent suitors present asattempting to establish a friendship or, frequently, a sexual relationship. Intheir search for satisfaction, their advances are usually insensitive, unawareand crude. These stalkers appear oblivious to their victim’s disinterest andeven distress.
What sustains the behaviour?
Thankfully, a lack of positivereinforcement usually results in an incompetent suitor’s behaviour subsiding.However, in incidents where the victim and perpetrator share proximity, thestalking advances can sustain over an extended period of time.
Predatory Stalkers:
Who are they?
Predatory stalkers are usuallystrangers. Their victims are perceived as vulnerable, most frequentlyconsisting of women, young people and children. Predatory stalkers are incrediblyrare and considered highly dangerous due to their deviant desires.
What initiates the behaviour?
Predatory stalkers are obsessedby deviant sexual desires and unusual practices. Once they have selected theirvictim, their early behaviours are driven by gaining information, proximity andpreparing for a potential attack.
What sustains the behaviour?
In many ways, the act of stalkingitself is thrilling for a predatory stalker. Feeding from the danger and power,voyeuristic behaviour allows for the perpetrator to fantasise about a victim’sfate.
Overall, it is clear thatalthough we band all stalkers together, there are distinct differences. To bestprotect victims and respond appropriately, it is important that everyone whointeracts with stalking – whether that is victims or practitioners – paysattention to these categories. If you would like any more information on this,or believe that this has described your stalker, please do get in touch at info@veritas-justice.co.uk.
