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Stalked: The Human Target: Stories of People Pursued by Stalkers and the Devastating Effects on Their Lives
Stalked is a detailed account of the effects of stalking, which is experienced by a shockingly high proportion of the population. Celebrities like David Letterman and Madonna are the highest profile targets of stalkers, but ordinary people are also targeted, harassed and bullied.
Rachel Cassidy, herself the target of a stalker, tells the stories of people who have been pursued by stalkers and the devastating effects that has had on their lives. To an outsider, the stalker's actions may appear to be minor indiscretions, but the unwanted constant attention, relentless harassment, and utter terror of being a human target can have chilling cumulative effects. Sometimes the stalker's behavior becomes violent. Dancing with the Stars judge Mark Wilson had two dancing schools burned to the ground and his career destroyed. The man who stalked Jodie Foster attempted to assassinate President Reagan to gain her attention.
With the assistance of forensic psychologists who have worked with stalkers and their targets, and lawyers and police who have represented and protected the people pursued, the author explores the psychopathology of stalkers, surveys the laws that deal with stalking behaviors, and looks at cyberstalking. In the final section, Cassidy discusses how to survive a stalker and build a new life of achievement and hope.
Stalked is a perceptive analysis of stalking from the inside--told by the targets, the stalkers, and the experts who deal with the havoc wreaked by the people who harass or persecute others with unwanted and obsessive attention.
Rachel Cassidy, herself the target of a stalker, tells the stories of people who have been pursued by stalkers and the devastating effects that has had on their lives. To an outsider, the stalker's actions may appear to be minor indiscretions, but the unwanted constant attention, relentless harassment, and utter terror of being a human target can have chilling cumulative effects. Sometimes the stalker's behavior becomes violent. Dancing with the Stars judge Mark Wilson had two dancing schools burned to the ground and his career destroyed. The man who stalked Jodie Foster attempted to assassinate President Reagan to gain her attention.
With the assistance of forensic psychologists who have worked with stalkers and their targets, and lawyers and police who have represented and protected the people pursued, the author explores the psychopathology of stalkers, surveys the laws that deal with stalking behaviors, and looks at cyberstalking. In the final section, Cassidy discusses how to survive a stalker and build a new life of achievement and hope.
Stalked is a perceptive analysis of stalking from the inside--told by the targets, the stalkers, and the experts who deal with the havoc wreaked by the people who harass or persecute others with unwanted and obsessive attention.
178 pages, Paperback
Published January 1, 2019
26 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
August 23, 2019
‘Stalked: The Human Target: Stories of people pursued by stalkers and the devastating effects on their lives’ by Rachel Cassidy is a much-needed guide to stalking behaviour, and its consequences. In the same way that “Working with Monster” by John Clarke, gave reassurance to those who have experienced the horror of working with an office bully, ‘Stalked: The Human Target” provides solace to those who find themselves caught in such a situation
The first part of the text examines the nature of stalking, including the current definitions and the most commonly occurring styles, or types, of stalking behaviour. This section includes an interesting comparison between bullying and stalking, and how they are not mutually exclusive.
The second section offers the reader a number of accounts from those who have been stalked. The former victims range from the young, celebrities to ordinary Australians. Their tales are harrowing, disturbing and confronting. In most cases, they had to go to drastic lengths to disentangle their lives from their pursuer. It’s an unsettling but important read.
The third section of the book provides practical advice to those who may be the target of a stalker, or are experiencing threats to their personal safety. There are many practical recommendations, which would be of benefit to anyone who regularly uses social media or who has some form of public presence.
One of the most interesting inclusions of the book appears in the first appendix. Cassidy interviews a former stalker about his motivations for stalking and his related crimes. It offers a disturbing insight into the thought processes of these individuals and leaves the reader concerned as to the success of the rehabilitation of the interviewee.
Cassidy has thoroughly researched, and consulted widely with forensic psychologists, lawyers, and victims, in her preparation of this book. It is well set out, clear and concise, and accessible to a wide audience. It would make an excellent resource for social welfare organisations, student of psychology, law, and criminology, and those in law enforcement.
The first part of the text examines the nature of stalking, including the current definitions and the most commonly occurring styles, or types, of stalking behaviour. This section includes an interesting comparison between bullying and stalking, and how they are not mutually exclusive.
The second section offers the reader a number of accounts from those who have been stalked. The former victims range from the young, celebrities to ordinary Australians. Their tales are harrowing, disturbing and confronting. In most cases, they had to go to drastic lengths to disentangle their lives from their pursuer. It’s an unsettling but important read.
The third section of the book provides practical advice to those who may be the target of a stalker, or are experiencing threats to their personal safety. There are many practical recommendations, which would be of benefit to anyone who regularly uses social media or who has some form of public presence.
One of the most interesting inclusions of the book appears in the first appendix. Cassidy interviews a former stalker about his motivations for stalking and his related crimes. It offers a disturbing insight into the thought processes of these individuals and leaves the reader concerned as to the success of the rehabilitation of the interviewee.
Cassidy has thoroughly researched, and consulted widely with forensic psychologists, lawyers, and victims, in her preparation of this book. It is well set out, clear and concise, and accessible to a wide audience. It would make an excellent resource for social welfare organisations, student of psychology, law, and criminology, and those in law enforcement.
November 20, 2018
A great read and well researched. This book will no doubt give victims a voice because no victim is ever alone. A must read for all. Well done to the author who had the courage to address this haunting topic.
October 6, 2019
2.5 stars for this one.
July 1, 2019
As the subtitle of Stalked - The Human Target by Rachel Cassidy indicates, this book contains Stories of people pursued by stalkers and the devastating effects on their lives. For the most part, this was an informative and educational read and contained information on what constitutes stalking and harassment, case studies and information from subject matter experts.
I wasn't expecting bullying and harassment to feature as much as stalking but the inclusion made sense when explained. From the mention of David Letterman and Madonna in the synopsis, I was expecting to read about more famous cases than those included in Stalked.
In an attempt to provide balance, the author included the perspective of a stalker convicted for his crimes. However the interview didn't go anywhere near far enough in my opinion. Given this was the only first person perspective of stalking from the perpetrator's point of view, I wanted to know more. Did he regret his actions, did he ever feel the urge to stalk again, and how did the time drain of obsessive stalking impact his life. How did he keep it secret.
Given that I was left wanting more information on the topic of stalking, the appearance of 9 pages of author acknowledgements at the end of a 178 page book seemed over the top. One of the stalking victims (Mark Wilson, former judge of Dancing with the Stars) was given 4 pages to list his own acknowledgements and the combined 13 pages was excessive.
On the flip side, the resources list at the end was comprehensive and no doubt will be helpful to some readers. I'd recommend Stalked by Australian author Rachel Cassidy for anyone dealing with bullying, cyber-bullying, harassment or stalking.
* Copy courtesy of Rockpool Publishing *
I wasn't expecting bullying and harassment to feature as much as stalking but the inclusion made sense when explained. From the mention of David Letterman and Madonna in the synopsis, I was expecting to read about more famous cases than those included in Stalked.
In an attempt to provide balance, the author included the perspective of a stalker convicted for his crimes. However the interview didn't go anywhere near far enough in my opinion. Given this was the only first person perspective of stalking from the perpetrator's point of view, I wanted to know more. Did he regret his actions, did he ever feel the urge to stalk again, and how did the time drain of obsessive stalking impact his life. How did he keep it secret.
Given that I was left wanting more information on the topic of stalking, the appearance of 9 pages of author acknowledgements at the end of a 178 page book seemed over the top. One of the stalking victims (Mark Wilson, former judge of Dancing with the Stars) was given 4 pages to list his own acknowledgements and the combined 13 pages was excessive.
On the flip side, the resources list at the end was comprehensive and no doubt will be helpful to some readers. I'd recommend Stalked by Australian author Rachel Cassidy for anyone dealing with bullying, cyber-bullying, harassment or stalking.
* Copy courtesy of Rockpool Publishing *
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews