A Practical Guide to Coping with Cyberstalking

Chapter 1

Who Stalks and Why

Jim Barnes & Emma Short

In this chapter, we examine varieties of stalkers (typology), considering each perpetrator’s reasoning and further conduct. During this chapter, keep in mind the nature of the classification as an indicator only, and that there are many other existing systems. However, the Mullen classification, as employed here, is the most commonly used in relation to cyberstalking (Mullen et al., 2009).

As will be thoroughly explained throughout this book, stalking has severe results on victims, many of whom modify daily routines or experience mental trauma from continuous exposure or attention over periods both short and long. So what is the reason for stalking - for the stalker?

Mostly the intentions are personal, though when it comes to online or cyberstalking, there are some sequences of behaviour we can identify. In many instances, cyberstalking occurs together with real-world stalking, and can be thought of as a development on it, whilst in others digital tools may be the favoured or only method. Occasionally friends or loved ones are the culprit, covertly monitoring or harassing victims digitally over varying periods, although former lovers who are stalkers tend to rely on physical stalking, likely due to prior knowledge between perpetrator and victim. Despite this, ex-partners may use cyberstalking to bully or victimise their former partner, although a more likely use is in surveillance of someone with whom the perpetrator wants a relationship. It is a preferred strategy of stalking for women, possibly due to the comparative lack of danger and that the stalker’s identity can remain concealed.

In the public world the ‘identification stalker’ is a model not precisely covered by any pre-existing typologies, and is likely a subcategory of celebrity or politically motivated stalking. Recently forensic behavioural scientists have formulated several stalker typologies, a set of simple classifications such as: (1) with the intent of seeking a new partner (2) with the intent of threat, harassment, forceful persuasion, or retribution for previous romantic denial, and (3) with the principle intent of exerting influence or manipulating. A level of identification with an entity of more elevated stature is a natural characteristic - for example, one may dress similarly to a rock star, or copy the lifestyle of a film star - but the identification stalker links themselves mentally with the victim, and begins to customise their life in relation to that entity. Mark David Chapman fashioned himself after John Lennon, played guitar, and was married to a woman with similar characteristics and physical appearance to Yoko Ono, Lennon’s spouse. Initially, a stalker attempts to meld their identity with the intended person through these types of copying, subsequently initiating correspondence with the person through means such as attending their dwelling, acquiring autographs, amassing collectables and others. If an individual stays in this situation they are not considered stalkers, just enthusiastic fans, due to the lack of threat or fear to the individual.

Some estimates state that whether a stalker targets a stranger or a previous partner can be influenced by medical conditions. As many as 50% of stalkers surveyed carry a variety of diagnosable mental condition, and despite some irregularities, those who stalk strangers (including those only known casually, and celebrities) demonstrate higher frequency of mood, delusional, or psychiatric disorder. The characteristics displayed by those who pursue previous partners are less likely to be psychotic, though do display narcissism, personality disorder, and drug or alcohol problems. These varieties of personality are more prone to envy, anger, or poorly defined personal boundaries, and in combination with stimulants can help to explain obsessive pursuits of the target, to return to the relationship or as negative reinforcement for their perceived dishonesty.

Fewer than 10% of stalkers are classified as antisocial, which a surprising figure is considering their over-representation in other crimes. However, this is probably due to the fact that in cases of intimate stalking predation takes the form of pathological attachment, which is difficult for an antisocial individual who would normally find attachment difficult. Though it is credible that an antisocial person can become overly angry when they are broken up with, or enraged when upset by unwanted responses, in general they are significantly less likely to chase the particular person at length, if only because the commitment would detract from other destructive actions. More likely, destructive responses will occur directly following a break-up, with the subject’s acceptance of the event increasing as time passes. However, progress in communications technology has led to increased capacity for harassment which enables contact to be maintained. Previously, this was limited to mail or phone calls, where now there are many avenues available to the perpetrator allowing unwanted behaviours to be maintained with less effort on the part of the perpetrator.

Several factors can define the typologies of stalkers, including victim classification (i.e. celebrity, stranger), the connection between stalker and target (colleague, internet, former lover), intentions for stalking (retribution, affection, retaliation) and specific psychological features (erotomanic, narcissistic).

There is a relationship between the level of mental illness of a stalker and familiarity with the target, with those targeting strangers also the most likely to be mentally ill, and the least likely to be violent. Hence those stalkers familiar with their targets are also of the most threat to the target - the typical scenario, occurring across all typologies, is of a male stalker and familiar female target. It is common for them to have had a past relationship, however it is not unknown for colleagues, neighbours, and certain roles such as doctors or lawyers to become targets.Situations where the individual stalks someone not previously familiar are rarer, with the targets regularly being famous people. In some instances, the stalker has a condition of erotomania, a deluded idea that the target is secretly romantically pursuing the target, despite not previously meeting. Below are the most typical stalker types.

Predatory Stalker

Motivation: The predatory stalker is motivated by the idea of pleasure and control over the victim, and the desire to attack the target, frequently sexually.

Personality: The predatory stalker frequently exhibits low self-image, is ineffective socially (particularly in romantic life), and their intelligence possibly below-average.

Victim Characteristics: The predatory stalker may target someone either familiar to them, or someone unfamiliar.

Stalking Behaviours: It is unusual for the predatory stalker not to communicate with the target during stalking, and they are more likely to adopt practices such as spying, scopophilia, crude phone calls, fetishism and exhibitionism.

Duration and Criminality: The predatory stalker has a tendency to stalk over a shorter duration, and the likelihood of them employing physically violence is higher.

Intimacy Seeker

Motivation: The intimacy seeker attempts to create a romantic connection to the target, idealising the target, believing that no-one except the target is capable of fulfilling their needs, and potentially is deluded into thinking that the target holds affection for them. They might receive all responses from the target as positive - even when they are clearly not - or feel the target is obliged to love because of the investment they have made to stalk them. These behaviours and ideas may be very difficult to modify in this variety of stalker.

Personality: The intimacy seeker usually lives a secluded existence which lacks close connection with others, and is regularly an introverted personality.

Victim Characteristics: The target may equally be familiar or unfamiliar to the stalker.

Stalking Behaviours: The behaviours which a stalker might partake in include contacting the target through mail, telephone or posting presents to the target. A perception that advances are undesired may lead to the stalker becoming abusive or physically violent, and likewise a stalker might exhibit extreme envy if the target starts to date someone else, or continues a previous relationship.

Duration and Criminality: Of the various types of stalker, the intimacy seeker can be one of the more obsessive and unwavering, and the duration may last longer than other types. Any legal attempts to prevent or deter the stalker may be perceived as tests, the passing of which will symbolise the stalker’s affection.

Incompetent Suitor

Motivation: The incompetent suitor is compelled to begin a romance, and is restricted from doing so due it poor social behaviour.

Personality: The incompetent suitor might experience disconnection from the target’s emotions, and be guided by a belief that they are inherently