The word stalker is commonly used when referring to unwanted, obsessive behaviour displayed by an individual who has developed a type of obsession with another individual. Stalking behaviour is similarly related to harassment and displaying characteristics of intimidation towards another person. However, the word stalking does display different various connotations, specifically in relation to psychology, psychiatry and additionally in some legal jurisdictions and in some cases, particularly legal cases, is branded as a criminal offence.
However, there have been some issues in defining and similarly in branding the term stalker on different people who seemingly display evidence of this type of behaviour. The term stalker was notably first used to condemn the behaviour of those individuals who displayed an ‘unhealthy’ obsession with celebrities, defined in a general harassment sense. The type of behaviour can additionally be defined in terms of an individual who repeatedly follows, watches or shows any other type of harassment to another person.
Other behaviours include hoarding information of memento’s about the person that the individual has developed an unhealthy obsession with. Generally, the purpose of stalking is to attempt to force a relationship with someone who is unwilling or otherwise unavailable. Unlike other crimes, which usually involve one act, stalking is a series of actions that occur over a period of time. Even though stalking itself is illegal, the actual actions that contributes to the stalking, such as calling, sending gifts and emailing, are in fact legal. Though these particular actions in themselves do not actually cause any harm, if however, they are repeated on a series of time, there becomes a breech or invasion in an individual’s privacy, which can prove to be very damaging and at times has proven to be fatal.
However, there have been some issues in defining and similarly in branding the term stalker on different people who seemingly display evidence of this type of behaviour. The term stalker was notably first used to condemn the behaviour of those individuals who displayed an ‘unhealthy’ obsession with celebrities, defined in a general harassment sense. The type of behaviour can additionally be defined in terms of an individual who repeatedly follows, watches or shows any other type of harassment to another person.
Other behaviours include hoarding information of memento’s about the person that the individual has developed an unhealthy obsession with. Generally, the purpose of stalking is to attempt to force a relationship with someone who is unwilling or otherwise unavailable. Unlike other crimes, which usually involve one act, stalking is a series of actions that occur over a period of time. Even though stalking itself is illegal, the actual actions that contributes to the stalking, such as calling, sending gifts and emailing, are in fact legal. Though these particular actions in themselves do not actually cause any harm, if however, they are repeated on a series of time, there becomes a breech or invasion in an individual’s privacy, which can prove to be very damaging and at times has proven to be fatal.
