@article{ref1,
title="Prevalence of stalking among justice professionals in Portugal",
journal="Journal of interpersonal violence",
year="2020",
author="Matos, Marlene and Alheiro, Andreia and Gonçalves, Mariana and Cunha, Ana and Martinho, Gabriela",
volume="ePub",
number="ePub",
pages="ePub-ePub",
abstract="Despite the growing interest from researchers' in recent years, stalking is a  phenomenon of difficult operationalization within the scientific community. Examining the phenomenon in criminal justice professionals has become relevant since  the work context is considered a fertile environment for the presence of stalking,  despite underreported. This study aims specifically to know the prevalence, nature,  dynamics, impact, and help-seeking behaviors (and its perceived effectiveness) of  stalking victimization by criminal justice professionals stalked in Portugal. We  were also interested in the professionals' perceptions of why they were stalked. The  data were collected through a web-based survey, after the approval of the ethic  committee. The sample was composed of 270 criminal justice professionals, mostly men  (59.3%), with a mean age of 42.70 (SD = 9.07) years. The results showed that 24.8%  reported having been stalked at least once in their lifetime. Stalking prevalence  was higher in women compared to men. Concerning the profession, the highest  prevalence was verified in the group of professionals composed of lawyers, jurists,  court officials, and auditors, followed by the group of magistrates, and finally the  judges and the criminal police. More diversity of stalking behaviors experienced was  associated with a higher frequency of those behaviors. Psychological health (70.7%)  and lifestyle/behavioral changes (62.1%) were the most reported areas of impact. Being stalked in a private context (e.g., intimate relationships), for a longer  period and feeling a higher level of fear as a result of the stalking campaign were  associated with more impact. Most of the victims (74.6%) revealed having sought help  to cope with the stalking experience, with women seeking more help than men (88.6%  vs. 59.4%). For bringing evidence that criminal justice professionals are at risk of  being stalked, these findings can contribute to the adoption of policies and  strategies to prevent stalking victimization among this population.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="0886-2605",
doi="10.1177/0886260520983267",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0886260520983267"
}