Psycho-Criminological Approaches to Stalking Behavior
This month we launch our new APATAP blog by asking Associate Professor Oliver Chan from the City University of Hong Kong, and Associate Professor Lorraine Sheridan from Curtin University about their new book Psycho-Criminological Approaches to Stalking Behaviour – An International Perspective.
1. Tell us about you.
Oliver: I am an Associate Professor of Criminology at City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, SAR. My academic background lies in criminology and forensic psychology. I publish extensively on topics related to stalking behaviour, sexual homicide, sexual offending, and Asian criminology. To date, I have sole-authored 2 research monographs on sexual homicide (2015, Palgrave Macmillan; 2019, Springer Nature) and co-edited 2 reference books on the psycho-criminological perspective of Asian criminal justice (2017, Routledge) and the international perspective of stalking behaviour (2020, John Wiley & Sons). I am currently co-editing a collection of work on the African mental health and criminal justice system, and also working on my next sole-authored research monograph on sexual violence in Asia.
Lorraine: I am an Associate Professor in Psychology at Curtin University in Western Australia. My main areas of research are stalking and other forms of harassment. I have published four books and more than 50 papers on these and other topics. My research has always taken an applied, interventionist angle and I frequently train professionals involved in investigating and managing stalking and other crimes. I have advised a number of governments on policy initiatives.
2. In a few short sentences, can you tell us what the book is about & how it’s different to others on stalking behaviour?
To our knowledge, this is the first work to offender a global approach to exploring different topics on stalking perpetration and victimization. The chapters are contributed by scholars and practitioners from many countries, encompassing different regions of the world (e.g., Asia, Australasia, North America, Europe, and Africa). Moreover, this edited book examines stalking from both theoretical (i.e., empirical research) and practical (i.e., practical and policy) perspectives.
3. How did the idea come about?
Lorraine and I had casual talks, and after some time, I came up with an idea to invite Lorraine to join me to edit a collection of work on stalking behaviour by field experts and practitioners around the world. We are confident that this work will fill the gap in the literature that largely comes from research conducted in Western countries (e.g., Australia, USA, and UK).
4. Is there a specific part of the book that excited you?
We are highly thrilled to have scholars and practitioners share their research and practices that are rarely (or never at all) published in academic publications. We are proud to have this as a hallmark of our book.
5. Who should be reading this book?
Psycho-criminological Approaches to Stalking Behavior: The International Perspective is written for use in undergraduate and postgraduate courses in criminology/criminal justice and forensic psychology. We are also confident that this book can be a useful source of reference for scholars, clinicians, law enforcement practitioners, charity professionals, and mental health professionals to facilitate their understanding of stalking perpetration and victimization. It offers guidance for those who seek to set up anti-stalking initiatives in their home countries.
6. The book looks at many approaches from across the world. What are some interesting highlights?
This collection of work not only adds to the repertoire of relevant work in stalking, but also advances knowledge and understanding of the research conducted and practices delivered in different countries. Specifically, this book aims to share research and best practices conducted in countries rarely mentioned (e.g., Finland, Singapore, Lithuania, Denmark, South Africa, and the Netherlands).
7. Did any of these approaches surprise you?
Instead of surprised, we are delighted to learn about the different phenomena and the variety of responses to manage stalking incidents adopted by practitioners in different countries. Yet, the approaches adopted are similar to a certain extent despite their geographical variations.
8. What are some consensuses and disagreements regarding approaches to stalking?
Although people seek to reduce stalking in a variety of ways, based on differing philosophies, many of the initiatives are fundamentally similar. This demonstrates the need for a pragmatic approach, with a focus on “what works” as opposed to theoretically based debate.
9. When people read this book, what would you like the outcome to be for them?
We anticipate this book will attract readers from around the globe given the nature and coverage of the topics and that it will benefit them in their line of study, research, and/or duties. We encourage people to develop anti-stalking initiatives and responses in countries that so far do not have any.
10. Do you have any other publications in the works?
Lorraine and I have collaborated on a number of publications on stalking behaviour, with topics including perceptions of stalking, stalking perpetration and victimization, and coping strategies. These studies recruited samples from Hong Kong, Singapore, and Ghana.
For further information on this book, its chapters and content, please visit the publisher’s website.
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