'Living in no man's land' : the experiences of male victims of stalking

• Main Author: Rees, Mark
• Published: University of Surrey 2010
• Subjects: 364
• Online Access: http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.518718

Recent years have seen the development of a body of research on stalking behaviour. However, this research has primarily focused on the experiences of female victims creating an identifiable gap in exploring the experiences of male victims. This thesis seeks to address this gap by examining the experiences of 23 male victims of stalkers. In examining the experiences of male victims, this thesis begins by identifying the dominant discourses that have evolved around stalking. Then, by the adoption of a grounded methodological framework, common meanings and understandings in the male participants' narratives are identified. These themes reveal that the men's understanding and experiences of being stalked are at odds with the view that being stalked is not a problem for men. This perspective is confirmed by the participants' experiences within the criminal justice system as they seek to accomplish victimisation. By drawing on a constellation of sociological theories, my study reveals the problematic experiential nature of being stalked. This includes the effect a stalking experience can have on a masculine identity, so much so that a man may respond by 'reclaiming' his masculinity. For some men, a stalking experience can threaten their identity even to the point that their identity can appear to be on the verge of collapsing. My study also shows how men try to make sense of their stalking experiences by drawing on stalking discourses from popular culture. As my study reveals the problematic nature of being stalked for men, there is the need for all those researching and developing policy for stalking victims to adequately take into account the experiences of male as well as female victims.