Stalking
A University of Florida press release (phys.org, 2006) summarizes the results of a University of Florida/University of South Carolina study by Angela Gover, Kate Fox, and Catherine Kaukinen (under review) which found that women reported being the perpetrators of stalking, physical, and emotional abuse more often than men. Davis and Frieze (2000, review) points out that while most "legally defined" stalking cases are men stalking women, other definitions find a female majority or no gender differences. Davis and Frieze attribute this to "victim fear" being a main component of the legal definition of stalking. StalkMeNot.org defines stalking behaviors as "unwanted pursuit" that causes "fear, discomfort or emotional harm to the victim."
The "Stalking and Domestic Violence" report to Congress (2001, opens pdf) states that 1 in 12 American women have been stalked in their lifetimes, compared to 1 in 45 men. Women were twice as likely to be stalked by strangers, and eight times as likely to be stalked by someone they knew, according to the report.
I think I'm prepared to say that I stalked someone. I don't think they would say that I stalked them, however, so does that count? I think we're running into two major reporting problems here. First, I think women are more likely to be willing to admit, to themselves and others, that they've stalked or abused someone, or at least have a lower threshold of behavior to label as stalking or abuse. Secondly, there's the role that "victim fear" plays, which would prevent many men from considering unwanted pursuit as "stalking", because they would have a hard time taking the threat seriously. One thing that's been consistently true for me before and after transition is the fact that I am a completely non-threatening presence. Threats I make have more humor value than intimidation, and it's always been the case. I have no idea what it would be like to cause fear in someone - but maybe that's just my male self-justification talking.
The "Stalking and Domestic Violence" report to Congress (2001, opens pdf) states that 1 in 12 American women have been stalked in their lifetimes, compared to 1 in 45 men. Women were twice as likely to be stalked by strangers, and eight times as likely to be stalked by someone they knew, according to the report.
I think I'm prepared to say that I stalked someone. I don't think they would say that I stalked them, however, so does that count? I think we're running into two major reporting problems here. First, I think women are more likely to be willing to admit, to themselves and others, that they've stalked or abused someone, or at least have a lower threshold of behavior to label as stalking or abuse. Secondly, there's the role that "victim fear" plays, which would prevent many men from considering unwanted pursuit as "stalking", because they would have a hard time taking the threat seriously. One thing that's been consistently true for me before and after transition is the fact that I am a completely non-threatening presence. Threats I make have more humor value than intimidation, and it's always been the case. I have no idea what it would be like to cause fear in someone - but maybe that's just my male self-justification talking.