Male Victims

The average stalking campaign against male victims lasts more than double that of women (24 weeks v. 12 weeks) (Maran, et al., 2020). Another meta-analysis found that men reported being pursued an average of 5.5 months longer (Maran, et al., 2020).

In Maran, et al. (2020) they found the duration of the stalking correlated with specific types of stalking behaviors, however, these findings were not identified among female victim groups.

Maran, et al.'s (2020) study found the duration of the stalking correlated with fear (r = .34, p = .003) and irritation (r = .29, p = .010) for male victims.

Men (identifying) victims reported fewer contacts compared to female victims (Maran, et al., 2020).

Specific stalking behaviors against male victims have been found to be

• more frequent: unwanted communication (such as calls or texts)
• acts of vandalism.

However, men are less likely to consider these acts stalking, 7% of men picked 10 of the 42 possible behaviors v. 92% of women who picked 32 (Maran, et al., 2020).

Maran, et al. (2020) found in their study male victims experienced 5.7 different behaviors v. women who experienced 6.

When fear is not a requirement, male (identifying) victims report stalking at a range from 2.9%-23.5% (Lyndon, et al., 2011). However in another  meta analysis conducted by Spitzberg, et al. (2010) of 274 male victims studied where fear is included, the victimization rate was found to be to 13.92%.

A myriad of studies suggest that male victims may not experience, or report "fear" in the same way as female victims. However, there is some suggestion that male victims may experience specific stalking related fear, as opposed to general fear (Maran, et al., 2020). Additionally, male victims may experience state and train anger as well as minimal general anxiety (Maran, et al., 2020).

Men reported emotional symptoms more frequently 2.6 (s.d. = 1.86) v.  2.2 (s.d. = 0.74) reported by women.

• Aggressiveness
• Anger
• Confusion
• Irritation
• Lack of confidence
• Panic attacks (Maran, et al., 2020)

Only apprehension and fear were experienced less frequently. 

Maran, et al. (2020) identified that in male stalking victims a positive correlation between the variety of stalking behaviors and emotional consequences (r = .27, p = .018). - This is different from female victims, whose consequences come from coping strategies.

Research suggests male stalking victims are less prone to ask for help. Men have a lesser tendency to move outward (seek social support) (Maran, et al., 2020). 

Male victims on average adopted 3.2 (s.d = 2) coping strategies compared to women who adopted 2.4.

Men were more likely to "answer to and reason with the stalker." They were also less inclined to collect evidence and devise safety plan(s) (p. 9). The duration of the stalking, however, correlated with specific coping strategies such as

• safety plans, or
• asking the stalker to stop.

Duration of stalking for men correlated with

• weakness (r = .39, p = .001)
• weight change (r = .25, p = .027)
•  stomach trouble (r = .45, p = .000)
• sleep disorder (r = .30, p = .008) (Maran, et al., 2020)

The perpetrator has been identified as an acquaintance in 70% of cases with the motive of establishing or re-establishing a relationship (Maran, et al., 2020).

Male (identifying) victims were found to be half as likely as women (13.4% v. 27.8%) to contact police during stalking victimization (Maran, et al., 2020). Research has suggested this is due to the prevalence of female-stalking-perpetrators against male-victims. Victims reported they feared not being believed or had concerns of being taken seriously (Maran, et al., 2020).

Gender can influence police involvement as well as the perception of the danger posed the perpetrator. (Langhinrichsen-Rohling, 2012). Lyndon, et al. (2011) identified that male stalking victims received fewer resources from law enforcement regarding protective services compared with women. Male victims are also less likely to have their stalkers prosecuted.

Female stalkers were found to target primarily professional contacts in this study, who were known to them, or others known to them (95%), compared to males (40%), (Mullen, et al., 2009). Additionally, female stalkers were equally likely to target men and women victims, some have found they target a few more men (67%), as opposed to men who pursued women almost exclusively (91%). While some cases of same-gender stalking did occur, few cases involved "homosexual motives," (p. 137).

Research finds that female stalkers are no less likely to threaten than male stalkers, and they are equally likely to vandalize personal property. However, female stalkers are less likely to physically assault their victims (Mullen, et al., 2009). 

With the exception of phone calls, which are preferred by female stalkers, and "following" which is preferred by males, methods of intrusion are found to be mostly equivalent. Duration of stalking was also found to be similar among groups (Mullen, et al., 2009).