Date of Conferral
2022
Degree
Ph.D.
School
Psychology
Advisor
Henry Cellini
Abstract
Stalking is a public health crisis and a public safety issue. There is extant research on relationship violence, such as domestic violence and sexual assault; however, stalking is not generally the focus of practitioners. There are no qualitative studies on the perceptions of judges, attorneys, or victim service professionals regarding stalking victimization. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to explore how judges, attorneys, and victim service professionals perceive stalking victimization. Through a qualitative, phenomenological inquiry, six judges, six attorneys, and eight victim service professionals in the state of Ohio were interviewed. Systems theory was used as the theoretical framework. From their responses, six categories were identified: risk factors, stereotypes, treatment, accountability, support and improving systems. Two to three themes were identified under each category. Understanding the perceptions and experiences of judges, attorneys, and victims service professionals provided a voice to a population that is not often considered in the literature: stalking victims. These perceptions may help guide positive social change through offering appropriate services and shine a light on victims of stalking considering the focus has historically been on other types of relationship violence. Because stalking behavior is such a lethality factor, this attention has the potential to save lives.
Recommended Citation
Long, Julienne, "Phenomenological Perceptions of Judges, Attorneys, and Victim Service Professionals Regarding Stalking Victimization" (2022). Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies. 12757.
https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/12757
