Stalking??

iVillage Member
Registered: 02-05-2007
Stalking??
Fri, 09-21-2007 - 7:15pm
TYPES OF STALKING

Stalking is composed of three defining elements: the stalker's relationship with the victim, the stalker's motive in pursuing the victim, and the stalker's behavior. The stalker's relationship with their victim provides a useful basis for defining and classifying the various types of stalking. Forensic psychologists have identified three types of stalking: erotomania, love obsessional, and simple obsessional.


Erotomania

The erotomanic stalker, usually female, has the delusional belief that they are passionately loved by another. They go to great lengths to contact the person of their delusion, usually a person of higher socio-economic class and status, or an unattainable public figure. These stalkers are often described as celebrity stalkers or obsessed fans.


Love Obsessional

This stalker is a stranger to the victim. They develop a love obsession or fixation on another person with whom they have no personal relationship. The stalker mounts a campaign of harassment to make the victim aware of their existence. The love obsessional stalker not only attempts to live out their fantasies, but expects their victims to play their assigned roles. They believe they can make their object of affection love them back.


Simple Obsessional

Virtually all domestic violence cases involving stalking fall under this category. The victim can be an ex-spouse, ex-lover, former boss, or co-worker. In each of these cases, obsessional activities begin after the relationship has gone sour or the stalker perceives mistreatment by the victim. The stalker campaigns to rectify the relationship or seeks some type of retribution.


Anyone been stalked?