Stalking management strategies: implementation and efficacy

The stalking literature lacks research regarding how stalking cases are resolved and which management strategies precipitate resolution. The present study focused on three aspects of case management; i) the management strategies employed, ii) the process by which police utilize management strategies, and iii) the efficacy of management strategies at promoting desistance. On average 19 management strategies were employed per case. Certain strategies (e.g. legal strategies), were more commonly employed than others. Some categories of strategies were employed more often with certain types of stalkers. Grounded Theory analysis uncovered themes regarding the process of the case including, employing strategies that corresponded with the risk level of the case. Themes were also uncovered regarding the efficacy of management strategies. For example, police monitoring of the perpetrator facilitated case management, whereas contact between the victim and perpetrator negatively affected case resolution. Results present avenues for future research and implications for practice.