The Journey of Stalking Victims: A Qualitative Study of Recognition, Help Seeking Decisions, and Outcomes

Introduction
It is thought that as many as one in seven adults in the UK have experienced some form of stalking in their lifetime. Current research on stalking has largely sought to examine the phenomenon from isolated aspects of victimisation and stalker characteristics. This includes research exploring the prevalence of stalking, offender demographics, and victim recognition (Fullerton-Chalmers, 2024). However, little attention has been given to how individual perception of their victimisation, and subsequent response can actively shape stalking recognition, help-seeking behaviours, and access to support. There is a need to give attention to how these factors converge and how response may influence whether stalking persists or stops. This report presents qualitative findings on the subject from research carried out between 2023-2025 as part of the first author’s (Dr Morrison) doctorate. Findings are used to develop best practice as to how converging factors can influence the cessation of stalking.

Methodology
The aim of the research project was to address the following questions:

• What is the relationship between disclosure responses and victim acknowledgment of their experience as stalking?
• What is the relationship between positive and negative disclosure response and further help seeking decisions?
• What is the relationship between disclosure and stalking behaviour being continued or stopped?

The researcher used both digital platforms and face-to-face interviews for data collection. In total 280 victims of stalking completed the online survey. A further 20 participants undertook face-to-face interviews. A general inductive analysis identified the key patterns and themes across interviews.

Key Findings
In regard to stalking recognition, findings suggest that due to persistent stereotypes and misconstrued media perceptions there is a mismatch between stalker reality and mythology. This mismatch between what the ‘typical’ stalking experience may involve, and the actual experience, can result in stalking victims failing to recognise their own experience as stalking. As such, a victim’s recognition that they are being stalked is often not immediate but rather a gradual process.

Regarding help seeking, the research found that informal support systems (e.g. family and friends) generally respond to a victim’s need for support seeking more positively than formal systems (e.g. police). However, this can be dependent upon the acts being committed by the stalker. Where acts of stalking are largely normative (i.e. telephone calls, text messages) differences between informal and formal support systems can be minimal. Minimising and invalidating reactions were found to be common, and a potential source for harm.

Regarding help seeking and the cessation of stalking, the research found that stalking could often continue despite victim efforts to report and stop it. Perpetrators of stalking typically persist even after being told to stop by police. This was also true when court orders were issued. Victims often felt that stalking behaviour continued because perpetrators simply adapted their methods. This included moving from direct contact to more covert tact. Some victims also reported that police involvement could make stalker action more secretive. Likewise, where legal consequences are weak, stalkers could feel emboldened. Overall, stalking rarely ends on its own; cessation of stalking is typically linked to ongoing active and meaningful intervention.

Recommendations
The doctorate research identified recommendations. Several key recommendations include:

• A national level crime survey covering all four UK nations is needed to accurately measure the prevalence of stalking and understand demographic differences in attitudes and responses.

• Further research should apply Ullman’s (2010) Social Reaction Theory to stalking—especially for male victims—to better understand how social reactions shape recognition and help seeking.

• NHS and Social Work services should strengthen their responses to stalking by improving policies, staff training, and creating clear, accessible reporting pathways with specialist referral points.

• Police should reduce barriers to reporting by adopting consistent, trauma informed practices with standardised first responses and streamlined processes that avoid repeated retelling.

• Policymakers should improve national and local responses by investing in specialist services, training, and coordinated systems across agencies to ensure accurate recognition, recording, and victim support.