Understanding the Mediating Role of Responsibility in Perceptions of Stalking. Adrian J. Scott, Emma Sleath, Lorraine Sheridan & Simon C.

Transcription

1 Understanding the Mediating Role of Responsibility in Perceptions of Stalking Adrian J. Scott, Emma Sleath, Lorraine Sheridan & Simon C. Duff

2 Introduction Reality Ex-partner stalkers most common and highest risk of violence Male stalkers most common but impact similar Victims less likely to report if believe the situation is a family matter Police less likely to use stalking legislation when ex-partner stalkers Ex-partner stalkers less likely to be convicted Male victims less likely to self-identify and report the situation Police less likely to take the situation seriously when male victims

3 Introduction Perceptions Stanger vs. ex-partner perpetrators more likely to Be stalking Cause alarm and fear of violence Require police intervention Male vs. female perpetrators more likely to Cause alarm and fear of violence Require police intervention

4 Introduction Objective To investigate whether perpetrator and/or target responsibility mediate the influence of prior relationship on perceptions of stalking Male stalker and female target Female stalker and male target

5 Method Design 5 x 2 between-groups design Prior relationship Stranger, acquaintance, ex-partner no future, ex-partner physical violence, ex-partner unfaithful Perpetrator-target sex Male perpetrator-female target, female perpetrator-male target

6 Method Participants 900 community members United Kingdom, the United States and Australia 450 men, 450 women, average age of 40 years (SD = 12) Materials and Procedure 10 versions of a hypothetical vignette One scale item and one open question concerning perceptions of stalking Nine scale items concerning perceptions of responsibility

7 Results: Multivariate Analysis of Variance Perceptions of Stalking Str Acq Ex 'NF' Ex 'PV' Ex 'U' MP-FT FP-MT

8 Results: Mediation Analysis (MP-FT) Target Responsibility Acquaintance Ex-Partner No Future Ex-Partner Physical Violence Perceptions of Stalking Ex-Partner Unfaithful Perpetrator Responsibility

9 Results: Mediation Analysis (FP-MT) Target Responsibility Acquaintance Ex-Partner No Future Ex-Partner Physical Violence Perceptions of Stalking Ex-Partner Unfaithful Perpetrator Responsibility

10 Results: Qualitative Analysis Victim Related Clear rejection of the perpetrator Lack of clear communication Impact of stalking Perpetrator Related Problematic and excessive behaviour Unwarranted and pestering contact Minimisation of behaviour

11 Discussion Prior Relationship More likely to be considered stalking in the stranger, acquaintance and ex-partner physical violence conditions Perpetrator-Target Sex More likely to be considered stalking in the male perpetrator-female target conditions Mediation Perpetrator and target responsibility mediated the influence of prior relationship on perceptions of stalking

12 Discussion More Perpetrator Mitigation and Target Responsibility Reason for the breakdown of the relationship was Internal to the target (ex-partner unfaithful ) Neutral to the perpetrator and target (ex-partner no future ) Less Perpetrator Mitigation and Target Responsibility Reason for the breakdown of the relationship was External to the target (ex-partner physical violence )

13 Discussion Practical Reality and perceptions are discordant Recognition of the situation as stalking by the victim of the situation as stalking by the family and friends of the victim of the situation as stalking by the police and the legal system more broadly

14 Discussion Theoretical Just world hypothesis Three mechanisms Reinterpret outcome Reinterpret the cause Reinterpret the character Ongoing situation

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