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Assessing and Managing the Risks in the Stalking Situation

Dr. Mullen is Professor of Forensic Psychiatry, Monash University, and Clinical Director, Victorian Institute of Forensic Mental Health, Victoria, Australia
Dr. Mackenzie is Lecturer, Monash University, and Clinical Psychologist, Victorian Institute of Forensic Mental Health
Dr. Ogloff is Professor of Clinical Psychology, Monash University, and Director, Psychological Services, Victorian Institute of Forensic Mental Health
Dr. Pathé is Senior Lecturer, Monash University and Consultant Forensic Psychiatrist, Victorian Institute of Forensic Mental Health
Ms. McEwan is Doctoral Student of Clinical Psychology, Monash University
Dr. Purcell is Research Fellow, Department of Psychiatry, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia. Address correspondence to Paul E. Mullen, MB, BS, DSc., Thomas Embling Hospital, Locked Bag 10, Fairfield, Victoria 3078, Australia. E-mail: paul.mullen{at}forensicare.vic.gov.au

Stalking is a common social problem, often driven by psychiatric disorder in its perpetrators and productive of psychological and social damage in its victims. Assessing and managing the risks in the stalking situation is a task that frequently falls on the mental health professional. The concerns of risks in the stalking situation are not confined to violence but include psychosocial damage, chronicity, and recurrence, and, for the stalker, arrest and incarceration. This article outlines a structured approach to assessment and management involving domains based on the relationship between stalker and victim, the type of motivation driving the stalking, the stalker’s risk profile, the victim’s risk profile, and finally, the legal and mental health context. The assessment is closely linked to management strategies to counter specific ascertained risks and future hazards. These strategies will be limited, or facilitated, according to the current legal and mental health contexts that have a critical impact on the stalking situation.

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