Abstract
Stalking is a concern on college campuses and it often goes unreported to authorities. This study seeks to determine whether gender of the respondent, gender of the victim/offender, and relationship status influence perceptions of victim reporting of stalking in a university setting. Regression results indicate that students believe that male victims and victims of an ex-intimate are significantly less likely to report their cases to police, while qualitative data suggests that gender norms, the potential for violence, and shame all play a role in perceptions of reporting. Implications of these findings are discussed, as well as directions for future research.
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Notes
The distribution of race/ethnicity in our sample reflects the demographic make up for the campus where the survey was administered. The majority of the study respondents identified as White, with the remaining 16% identifying as non-Caucasian. Six percent of the respondents were African American, 4% were Asian, 3% were Latino, 2% were mixed race, 1% were “other,” and less than 1% were American Indian.
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Appendix A: Sample Stalking Scenarios
Appendix A: Sample Stalking Scenarios
This appendix includes four of the eight stalking scenarios (for stranger relationship, casual acquaintance relationship, casual sex partner relationship, and ex-intimate relationship). The other four scenarios consisted of these same vignettes, with the genders of the victim and offender reversed.
Stranger Relationship
Monica noticed Kyle at a bar near campus where she worked. She was instantly attracted to Kyle, but the bar was so busy she didn’t get a chance to talk to him. When Kyle left the bar, Monica got his name from his credit card receipt that was left on the table. The next day, Monica obtained Kyle’s phone number and address from the campus directory and called him to ask if he would join her for dinner at a local diner. Trying to be polite, he told her he couldn’t make it. A few days later she called him again asking for a date to a movie. He told her he was not interested in seeing someone he didn’t know. Over the next week, Kyle found three messages on his answering machine from Monica, the final one indicating “if you don’t give me a chance then there will be trouble. You will be sorry.” The tone of the message frightened Kyle and the next day he asked his landlord to install a dead bolt lock.
Casual Acquaintance Relationship
Carrie and Troy met in a history class. Carrie had been instantly attracted to him. One night, Carrie saw Troy at a local bar near campus. She went up to him and they chatted about the previous weeks lecture for roughly 10 minutes until Troy told her he had to leave. The next day, Carrie obtained Troy’s phone number and address from the campus directory and called him to ask if he would join her for dinner at a local diner. Trying to be polite, he told her he couldn’t make it. A few days later she called him again asking for a date to a movie. He told her he was not interested in seeing her. Over the next week, Troy found three messages on his answering machine from Carrie, the final one indicating “if you don’t give me a chance then there will be trouble. You will be sorry.” The tone of the message frightened Troy and the next day he asked his landlord to install a dead bolt lock.
Casual Sex Relationship
Trish noticed John at a bar near campus. She was instantly attracted to him and she spent about an hour flirting with him on the dance floor. After dancing, the two went out to the parking lot and had sex in John’s car. The next day, Trish obtained John’s phone number and address from the campus directory and called him to ask if he would join her for dinner at a local diner. Trying to be polite, he told her he couldn’t make it. A few days later she called him again asking for a date to a movie. He told her he was not interested in seeing her. Over the next week, John found three messages on his answering machine from Trish, the final one indicating “if you don’t give me a chance then there will be trouble. You will be sorry.” The tone of the message frightened John and the next day he asked his landlord to install a dead bolt lock.
Ex-Intimate Relationship
Stephanie noticed Justin at a bar near campus. She was instantly attracted to him and the two spent the whole night talking. The next day, Stephanie obtained Justin’s phone number and address from the campus directory and called him to ask if he would join her for dinner at a local diner. The date went very well and the two ended up dating seriously for over a year. Justin then ended the relationship. The day after the break-up, Stephanie called Justin and asked him to join her for dinner at their favorite restaurant. Trying to be polite, he told her he couldn’t make it. A few days later she called him again asking for a date to a movie. He told her he was not interested in seeing her again. Over the next week, Justin found three messages on his answering machine from Stephanie, the final one indicating “if you don’t give me a chance then there will be trouble. You will be sorry.” The tone of the message frightened Justin and the next day he asked his landlord to install a deadbolt lock.
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Cass, A.I., Mallicoat, S.L. College Student Perceptions of Victim Action: Will Targets of Stalking Report to Police?. Am J Crim Just 40, 250–269 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12103-014-9252-8
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12103-014-9252-8