Stalking: Definition and Meaning

Although stalking is sometimes dismissed as simple, innocent behavior, the victim may experience fear and upset as a result. In a simpler sense, one can compare stalking to harassment and intimidation because the victim must ultimately bear the brunt of the harm, move, change jobs, and occasionally change their identity to get away from the stalker. It is the repeated and unwanted surveillance of another person by a person or group.

What is Stalking?

According to the National Stalking Helpline, stalking is "a pattern of fixated and obsessive behavior that is recurrent, persistent, invasive, and leads the victim to fear harm or to feel alarmed and distressed."

Stalking is defined as an act in which the victim is singled out by the stalker, who then causes them emotional pain and makes them fear for their own safety as well as the safety of others.

• An ex-boyfriend or ex-girlfriend, a friend, a total stranger—these are all examples of stalkers.

In order for stalking to be considered a crime, there must be two or more instances of physical or visual proximity, non-consensual communication (verbal or written), threats, or any combination of these. For the purposes of the illustration, Carrie has experienced a combination of these incidents and is presently the target of various forms of stalking.

Let's figure out what behaviors constitute stalking, the different sorts of stalkers, how Indian law addresses stalking, and some examples that will aid in a deeper knowledge of stalking.

Someone who is fervently after another person will frequently compare stalking to harassment and torture. The psychological causes of stalking can include insanity, narcissism, rage, revenge, envy, obsession, mental illness, power and control, sadomasochistic fantasies, sexual deviance, internet addiction, or religious fanaticism, to name a few.

• Other crimes, including theft, abduction, house invasion, extortion, trespassing, acid attacks, etc., can be committed as a result of stalking.

Examples of Stalking

Following are some instances of stalking −

• Following someone about or keeping an eye on their social interactions or behavior on a regular basis.

• Hanging out in areas where the victim is likely to congregate (e.g. home address, workplace, public transport, supermarket etc).

• Contacting or attempting to contact a victim repeatedly.

• Leaving unwelcome gifts or messages.

Types of Stalkers

Following are some noticeable types of stalkers −

• Resentful Stalkers − After the relationship ended, the angry stalker felt embarrassed and sought the victim's retribution. Often overly paranoid, resentful stalkers have a history of verbally abusing their victims.

• Heroic Stalkers − People who want to have a sexual relationship with the victim or other forms of closeness and who think they may win her love by doing so.

• Rejected Stalkers − When the friendship or love relationship ends, this kind of stalker gets upset. Along with being self-centered and envious, the rejected stalker is also overly dependent and relentless.

• Predatory Stalkers − The predatory stalker is motivated by a desire for both power and sex. Instead of making personal touch, they will trace the victim through surveillance.

Laws for Stalking

• Any man who-

  • Follows a woman and contacts, or attempts to contact such woman to foster personal interaction repeatedly despite a clear indication of disinterest by such woman; or

  • Monitors the use by a woman of the internet, email or any other form of electronic communication, commits the offence of stalking:

Provided that such conduct shall not amount to stalking if the man who pursued it proves that-

• It was pursued for the purpose of preventing or detecting crime and the man accused of stalking had been entrusted with the responsibility of prevention and detection of crime by the State; or

• It was pursued under any law or to comply with any condition or requirement imposed by any person under any law; or

• In the particular circumstances such conduct was reasonable and justified.

Whoever commits the offence of stalking shall be punished on first conviction with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to three years, and shall also be liable to fine; and be punished on a second or subsequent conviction, with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to five years, and shall also be liable to fine.

Conclusion

The established laws and procedures in India are supposed to provide residents with a certain level of safety, particularly ladies, but these stalkers don't follow them. The majority of individuals are still unaware of the relatively recent stalking laws. In order for people to handle and cope with such situations, they must be aware of these restrictions. It helps them while they work through this issue. Such crimes against people, particularly women, must end, and their significance must be acknowledged, if we are to create a society where the law is upheld. In addition to verbal and physical harassment, a stalking victim could also endure mockery and anger for her modesty.

FAQs

Q1. What kind of person stalks someone?

Ans. Stalkers frequently have obsessive tendencies in many aspects of their lives, including their love proclivities. They progressively get so fixated with their subject because they frequently have recurrent thinking patterns that repeat like a broken record that they lose track of time and can't sleep, remember to eat, or do their jobs.

Q2. What are the symptoms of being stalked?

Ans. Being stalked may be quite damaging to a person. It can make someone feel as though they have no control over their lives, no sense of independence, and no right to privacy. High levels of anxiety, anguish, or terror are frequently experienced, along with hyper vigilance or worries that it will never end or that nobody will ever take it seriously.

Q3. How do stalkers find you?

Ans. A stalker could gather information in a variety of ways by employing social engineering. They could employ a variety of baiting techniques to entice you or a close friend, as well as phishing techniques using fake emails that appear genuine, blackmail, and pretty much any other manipulation technique you can think of.

Q4. What kind of person stalks someone?

Ans. Stalkers frequently have obsessive tendencies in many aspects of their lives, including their love proclivities. They progressively get so fixated with their subject because they frequently have recurrent thinking patterns that repeat like a broken record that they lose track of time and can't sleep, remember to eat, or do their jobs.