Untangling the Web: An Exploration of Cyberstalking Perpetration, Victimisation, Categorisation, and Criminal Justice Responses

This thesis explored the complex and evolving nature of stalking and cyberstalking, providing empirical insights into perpetration, victimisation, categorisation, and criminal justice responses in four empirical chapters. Chapter 2 presented a systematic review of cyberstalking perpetrators and methods, finding that perpetrators often exhibit low self-control, poor social skills, prior victimisation, and high internet use. Motivations commonly include revenge, reconciliation, or control, with methods such as repeated unwanted online contact, GPS tracking, impersonation, account intrusion, and contacting victims' acquaintances. Chapter 3 examined cyberstalking from victim and perpetrator perspectives, revealing a key discrepancy: victims most often reported unwanted contact, while perpetrators most often reported covert monitoring, suggesting cyberstalking can occur without victims' awareness and complicates detection. Chapter 4 attempted to validate Mullen and colleagues' (1999) stalking typology for the categorisation of stalking and cyberstalking cases, finding that most cases can be categorised based on perpetrator motivation. A novel modality-based categorisation was also introduced: mixed cases involving in-person stalking and cyberstalking; online cases involving only cyberstalking; and offline cases involving only in-person stalking. Chapter 5 assessed criminal justice responses in England and Wales, identifying systemic delays and barriers that hinder case progression and victim support. Ultimately, there remains a need for improved measures to prevent recidivism. Chapters 4 and 5 utilised a large sample of detailed and contextualised cases of stalking and cyberstalking including information from victims, stalking advocates, police, and victim support providers adding significant value to the findings. Overall, this thesis considerably advances understanding of stalking and cyberstalking, establishing foundations for consistent definitions, effective categorisation, and enhanced justice responses.