Stalking among juveniles

Abstract

Background There is an almost total lack of empirical research on stalking among juveniles. Aims To examine the characteristics, nature and impacts of stalking by juveniles. Method Analysis of consecutive court applications for a restraining order against a juvenile because of stalking behaviours. (75%) and physical and sexual assaults (54%) were common. The contexts for juvenile stalking involved an extension of bullying (28%), retaliation for a perceived harm (22%), a reaction to rejection (22%), sexual predation (5%) and infatuation (2%). Results A total of 299 juvenile stalkers were identified. The majority were male (64%) and their victims predominantly female (69%). Most pursued a prev..