STALKING ON CAMPUS - THE PREVALENCE AND STRATEGIES FOR COPING WITH STALKING

This epidemiological study explored the prevalence of stalkers and sta lking victims among college students. Two questionnaires (one assessin g the behaviors of those who stalk others, and the other assessing vic tims of stalking) were administered to 294 college undergraduates. The questionnaires were then revised and readministered to 299 undergradu ates. Thirty percent of the female students and 17% of the males repor ted having been stalked; 80% reported that they knew their stalker (ma ny had been previously romantically involved with the stalker). Only 1 % of the subjects acknowledged having stalked someone, due perhaps to the social undesirability of this behavior. Methods of coping with bei ng stalked were also assessed. The most common response among females was to ignore the stalker; among males it was to confront the stalker.