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Reveals Diversity And Impact Of Stalking

26.09.2005

Study supported by the Network for Surviving Stalking (NSS)

Details of media resources and interview arrangements below

The world’s most comprehensive stalking survey carried out by Dr Lorraine Sheridan of the University of Leicester reveals the devastating impact of stalking in the UK and USA. Unfortunately, victims are not the sole casualties.

Results unveiled today (Friday September 23) reveal that virtually all victims of stalking suffer severe emotional and physical effects, and that financial losses have ranged between £20 to £4 million.

And the study carried out in the University of Leicester’s School of Psychology reveals that anyone - not just celebrities - can become the victim of a stalker.

Dr Sheridan said: "The work carried out at the University of Leicester over the last seven years has told us that normal people, not celebrities, are the vast majority of stalking victims."

"We also know that anyone can become the victim of a stalker, and that individual stalkers will have very different motives."

"This study has examined for the first time the far-reaching effects that stalking has, not only on its victims, but also on numerous third parties. Stalking is a major issue that touches millions of lives but people have so many misconceptions about it."

The study found:

* The youngest victim of stalking in the survey was aged 10 - the oldest aged 71

* Half of all victims were told by friends and family that they were ’over reacting’ or ’being paranoid’

* Abuse of pets is one of many methods employed by stalkers

* The average number of people directly affected in a stalking case was 21. Such persons included: the victim’s children, the victim’s partner’s parents, strangers, the victim’s neighbours, and the victim’s work contacts