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Female stalking: a systematic review
Authors Carabellese F, La Tegola D, Alfarano, Tamma M, Candelli C, Catanesi
Received 16 May 2012
Accepted for publication 27 July 2012
Published 31 October 2012 Volume 2012:2 Pages 31—38
DOI https://doi.org/10.2147/RRFMS.S33924
Checked for plagiarism Yes
Review by Single anonymous peer review
Peer reviewer comments 2
This paper has been retracted.
F Carabellese, D La Tegola, E Alfarano, M Tamma, C Candelli, R Catanesi
Department of Criminology and Forensic Psychiatry, University of Bari, Italy
Abstract: The aim of this review was to study “female stalking” and specific traits characterizing this phenomenon. The main medical databases were searched for studies conducted in clinical populations, case series, reports, reviews, retrospective studies, and original articles. We highlight a variety of different tactics adopted by female stalkers and their lesser propensity to progress to physical violence. Female stalkers are more frequently affected by erotomania, although this condition generally increases the risk of violence. If there was a previously intimate relationship between the stalker and her victim, this increases the risk of violence. In a significant proportion of female stalkers, the behavior is carried out in the occupational setting, especially in the field of psychotherapy, where the male-female ratio is reversed. No significant differences emerged between the motivations of heterosexual or homosexual stalkers. In the category of crimes of harassment committed by women, stalking seems to be among the most prominent.
Keywords: stalking, female stalking, same gender stalking, erotomanic delusional disorder, aggression
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