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Men Victims of Stalking in Portugal: Predictors of Help-Seeking Behaviours

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Abstract

Stalking is commonly perceived as a gendered crime, predominantly affecting women as victims. However, males can also be victims of this crime. Research has found that men may experience different types of behaviours and their coping and help-seeking may be unique due to individual, interpersonal, sociocultural factors and traditional gender stereotypes that shape perceptions about the seriousness of the crime and whether and/or where victims seek help. Nevertheless, no research has linked these findings to male victims of stalking. Therefore, the present study used a subsample of Portuguese men (n = 76), with a mean age of 40.49 (DP = 18.14), who self-identified as victims of stalking. The objectives were to analyse their experiences of victimization, namely behaviours, dynamics, impact and help-seeking. Moreover, another major goal of the current study was to develop a model to predict the circumstances under which male victims of stalking seek help. Results revealed that when male stalking victims search for help, it is more likely they are dealing with a higher diversity of stalking behaviours and experiencing a greater negative impact on their lives. These findings have important implications for practitioners and underlines macro-level social recommendations for raising awareness about this underreported phenomenon.

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Notes

  1. The criminalization of stalking as a crime only occurred in 2015, with the Law n.o 83/2015, 5 of August, with the introduction of a new article - 154.o (Penal Code).

  2. It is important to mention that, at the time of the study, no definition of stalking was provided in Portuguese law. Currently, stalking is recognized in Portugal within scientific, social and legal arenas, but that was not the case at the time of the study.

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Funding

This study is supported by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology and the Portuguese Ministry of Science, Technology and Higher Education, through the national funds, within the scope of the Transitory Disposition of the Decree No. 57/2016, of 29th of August, amended by Law No. 57/2017 of 19 July.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Psychology Research Center, School of Psychology, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal

    Mariana Gonçalves & Marlene Matos

  2. Universidade Lusófona do Porto, Porto, Portugal

    Célia Ferreira & Andreia Machado

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  1. Mariana Gonçalves
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  2. Célia Ferreira
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  3. Andreia Machado
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  4. Marlene Matos
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Correspondence to Mariana Gonçalves.

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Gonçalves, M., Ferreira, C., Machado, A. et al. Men Victims of Stalking in Portugal: Predictors of Help-Seeking Behaviours. Eur J Crim Policy Res 28, 117–134 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10610-021-09481-8

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