Stalking

Latest release

Statistics about stalking, including victimisation rates, socio-demographics, behaviour types, impacts, and police reporting.

Reference period

2021-22 financial year

Released

16/10/2024

Next release Unknown

First release

Key statistics

1 in 5 women (2 million) and 1 in 15 men (653,400) have experienced stalking since age 15
Women were more likely to experience stalking by a male (19%) than by a female (2.5%)
Men were about as likely to experience stalking by a male (3.5%) as by a female (3.6%)

About this release

This release presents statistics about experiences of stalking from the Australian Bureau of Statistics’ (ABS) 2021-22 Personal Safety Survey (PSS).

The survey collected information from persons aged 18 years and over about the nature and extent of their experiences of violence.

Summary statistics on all topics collected in the PSS and prevalence rates for women at the state and territory level can be found in Personal Safety, Australia.

The ABS would like to thank those who participated in the survey and acknowledges the experiences of people affected by stalking who are represented in this report.

Some people may find the contents of this report confronting or distressing. Support services are available: 1800RESPECT – 1800 737 732, Lifeline – 13 11 14.

COVID-19 context

The 2021-22 PSS was conducted between March 2021 and May 2022 during the COVID-19 pandemic. Throughout this time, government policies were in place to reduce the spread of COVID-19, including stay-at-home orders, border control measures, limits on gatherings, and social distancing rules. The survey results should be understood and interpreted within the broader context of the wide-ranging changes to everyday life during the pandemic.

Data quality and interpretation

In the written commentary, where a rate is described as higher or lower than a comparative rate, or one group is described as more or less likely to have had an experience than another group, the difference has been found to be statistically significant at the 95% confidence level.

Figures marked with an asterisk (*) have a relative standard error of between 25% and 50% and should be used with caution.

While the PSS collects the same information from both men and women, socio-demographic and incident characteristics data for men’s experiences of stalking are not sufficiently statistically reliable to include in the commentary.

Statistics about characteristics of the most recent episode of stalking for men are published in Tables 13 to 15, available in the data downloads.

For more information about statistical significance, relative standard error, and men’s data quality, refer to the Personal Safety, Australia Methodology.

Definition of stalking

In the PSS, stalking involves various behaviours, such as loitering and following, which the targeted person believed were being undertaken with the intent to cause them fear or distress. To be classified as stalking, more than one type of behaviour had to occur, or the same type of behaviour had to occur on more than one occasion. Stalking behaviours include:

Loitered or hung around outside their home
Loitered or hung around outside their workplace
Loitered or hung around outside their place of leisure or social activities
Followed or watched them in person
Followed or watched them using an electronic tracking device (e.g. GPS tracking system, computer spyware)
Maintained unwanted contact with them by phone, postal mail, email, text messages or social media websites
Posted offensive or unwanted messages, images or personal information about them on the internet
Impersonated them online to damage their reputation
Hacked or accessed their email, social media or other online account without their consent to follow or track them
Gave or left objects where they could be found that were offensive or disturbing
Interfered with or damaged any of their property

For more definitions of the terms used throughout the commentary, refer to the Glossary .

Prevalence rates

Prevalence rate refers to the number of persons in a given population who have experienced stalking within a specified time frame (e.g. since age 15, in the last 12 months), expressed as a percentage of all persons in the population.

An estimated 2.7 million people aged 18 years and over (14%) have experienced stalking since the age of 15, including:

20% of women (2 million)
6.8% of men (653,400)

Experiences of stalking since the age of 15(a)

Image

Row 1: 9.9m women, 9.5m men live in Australia. Row 2: 2m women (20%), 653,400 men (6.8%) experienced stalking. 7.9m women (80%), 8.9m men (93%) did not experience stalking. Row 3: 1.9m women (19%), 333,500 men (3.5%) experienced stalking by a male. 242,900 women (2.5%), 342,000 men (3.6%) experienced stalking by a female.

Description

The flow chart’s top level shows that 9.9 million women and 9.5 million men live in Australia.

The second level shows that 2 million women (20%) and 653,400 men (6.8%) experienced stalking since the age of 15. The second level also shows that 7.9 million women (80%) and 8.9 million men (93%) did not experience stalking.

The third level shows that 1.9 million women (19%) and 333,500 men (3.5%) experienced stalking by a male since the age of 15. The third level also shows that 242,900 women (2.5%) and 342,000 men (3.6%) experienced stalking by a female since the age of 15.

Footnotes:

Where a person has experienced stalking by both a male and a female, they are counted separately for each type of stalking experienced but are counted only once in the aggregated total.

Prevalence rates by sex of perpetrator

Women were more likely to have experienced stalking since the age of 15 by a male than by a female:

19% (1.9 million) experienced stalking by a male
2.5% (242,900) experienced stalking by a female

Men were as likely to have experienced stalking since the age of 15 by a male as by a female:

3.5% (333,500) experienced stalking by a male
3.6% (342,000) experienced stalking by a female

Changes over time

12-month stalking prevalence rates in 2021-22 have been compared with 12-month prevalence rates from earlier surveys (2005, 2012 and 2016) to measure changes over time.

Women

For women, the 12-month prevalence rate of stalking remained stable between 2016 (3.1%) and 2021-22 (3.4%).

Women aged 18 years and over, 12-month stalking prevalence rate, 2005 to 2021-22
		2005	2012	2016	2021-22
Total stalking(a)		(b)2.5%	(b)4.1%	3.1%	3.4%
	Stalking by a male	2.2%	(b)3.6%	2.7%	2.7%
	Stalking by a female	(b)0.4%	0.7%	(b)0.4%	0.7%

Where a person has experienced stalking by both a male and a female, they are counted separately for each type of stalking experienced but are counted only once in the aggregated total.
The difference between the prevalence rate for that year and the 2021-22 prevalence rate is statistically significant.

Men

The 12-month prevalence rates of stalking for men in 2021-22 have high relative standard errors and are considered too unreliable to measure changes over time.

The 12-month prevalence rate of stalking remained stable between 2012 (2.2%) and 2016 (1.7%).

Men aged 18 years and over, 12-month stalking prevalence rate, 2005 to 2021-22
		2005	2012	2016	2021-22
Total stalking(a)		1.5%	2.2%	1.7%	*0.6%
	Stalking by a male	1.1%	0.9%	1.2%	np
	Stalking by a female	*0.6%	(b)1.4%	0.6%	np

Where a person has experienced stalking by both a male and a female, they are counted separately for each type of stalking experienced but are counted only once in the aggregated total.
The difference between the prevalence rate for that year and the 2016 prevalence rate is statistically significant.

* Estimate has a relative standard error of 25% to 50% and should be used with caution.
np Not published in the commentary as the estimate has a high relative standard error and is considered too unreliable for general use.

Socio-demographic characteristics

This section compares 12-month stalking prevalence rates of women from different socio-demographic groups and identifies groups who were more likely to experience stalking in the last 12 months.

Age

The prevalence of stalking declined with age, with women aged 18 to 34 years most likely to have experienced stalking (6.3%).

Women aged 18 years and over, 12-month stalking prevalence rates(a), By age
	Experienced stalking in the last 12 months (%)
18 to 34 years	6.3
35 to 54 years	3.6
55 years and over	1.2

Women aged 18 years and over, 12-month stalking prevalence rates(a), By age

["","Experienced stalking in the last 12 months"]

[["18 to 34 years","35 to 54 years","55 years and over"],[[6.2999999999999998],[3.6000000000000001],[1.2]]]

[]

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Refers to the number of women in each age group who experienced stalking in the last 12 months, expressed as a percentage of all women in each age group.

Disability

The prevalence of stalking was similar for women with disability (3.8%) and women without disability (3.2%).

The prevalence of stalking varied by disability type.

Women aged 18 years and over, 12-month stalking prevalence rates(a), By disability type(b)(c)
	Experienced stalking in the last 12 months (%)
Psychosocial	8.5
Learning and understanding(d)	8.4
Other(e)	4.1
Physical restriction	3.8
Sensory and speech(d)	2.5

Women aged 18 years and over, 12-month stalking prevalence rates(a), By disability type(b)(c)

["","Experienced stalking in the last 12 months"]

[["Psychosocial","Learning and understanding(d)","Other(e)","Physical restriction","Sensory and speech(d)"],[[8.5],[8.4000000000000004],[4.0999999999999996],[3.7999999999999998],[2.5]]]

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Refers to the number of women in each group who experienced stalking in the last 12 months, expressed as a percentage of all women in each group.
More than one disability type may have been specified.
Head injury, stroke or acquired brain injury has an RSE greater than 50% and is considered too unreliable for general use. It has therefore been excluded from this analysis.
The prevalence rate has an RSE of between 25% and 50% and should be used with caution.
Includes any other disability or long-term health condition (such as arthritis, asthma or heart disease) which restricts everyday activities.

Family composition

The prevalence of stalking varied by family composition, with rates ranging from 1.9% for women living in a couple family with no children, to 9.2% for women living in a one-parent family with children under 15 years.

Women aged 18 years and over, 12-month stalking prevalence rates(a), By family composition
	Experienced stalking in the last 12 months (%)
One-parent family with children under 15 years(b)	9.2
One-parent family with no children under 15 years(c)(d)	6.1
Non-family(e)	6.1
Couple family with children	2.1
Couple family with no children	1.9

Women aged 18 years and over, 12-month stalking prevalence rates(a), By family composition

["","Experienced stalking in the last 12 months"]

[["One-parent family with children under 15 years(b)","One-parent family with no children under 15 years(c)(d)","Non-family(e)","Couple family with children","Couple family with no children"],[[9.1999999999999993],[6.0999999999999996],[6.0999999999999996],[2.1000000000000001],[1.8999999999999999]]]

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Refers to the number of women in each family composition group who experienced stalking in the last 12 months, expressed as a percentage of all women in each family composition group.
Family has at least one child under the age of 15.
Refers to a family consisting of a lone parent with children who are all dependent students aged between 15 and 24 years and/or non-dependent children.
Estimate has a relative standard error of 25% to 50% and should be used with caution.
Includes lone person household, group household, and non-family member in a household with one or more families.

Current study status

Women who were currently studying were more likely to have experienced stalking (8.7%) than women who were not studying (2.7%).

Housing - Tenure type

Women who were renting were more likely to have experienced stalking (6.2%) than women who were a homeowner with a mortgage (3.1%) or without a mortgage (1.6%).

Remoteness area

Women living in a major city were more likely to have experienced stalking (3.8%) than women living in outer regional and remote areas (2.6%).

Financial stress

The rate of stalking was higher for women living in households that:

experienced one or more cash flow problems in the last 12 months (7.9%) compared with households that did not experience cash flow problems (2.8%)
were unable to raise $2,000 within a week for something important (6.3%) compared with households that could raise the money (3.1%)

Women’s experiences of stalking by a male

This section presents information for women aged 18 years and over about the characteristics of their most recent episode of stalking by a male that occurred within the last 10 years.

Relationship to perpetrator

Women who experienced stalking by a male(a), Relationship to perpetrator
	Most recent episode of stalking by a male (%)
Intimate partner(b)	44.7
Stranger	23.1
Acquaintance or neighbour	15.0
Work/professional relationship(c)	9.9
Friend or housemate	5.2

Stalking behaviours and method of stalking

Behaviours

Of the 964,500 women who experienced stalking by a male in the last 10 years, in the most recent episode:

63% experienced more than one stalking behaviour
The mean number of behaviours experienced was 2.6

Common stalking behaviours experienced by women in the most recent episode of stalking by a male included:

Maintained unwanted contact by phone, postal mail, email, text messages or social media websites (65% or 622,200)
Followed or watched in person (40% or 384,000)
Loitered or hung around outside home (36% or 342,400)
Loitered or hung around outside workplace, school or education facility (34% or 323,600)

Women who experienced stalking by a male(a), Stalking behaviours experienced(b)
	Most recent episode of stalking by a male (%)
Maintained unwanted contact by phone, postal mail, email, text messages or social media websites	64.5
Followed or watched in person	39.8
Loitered or hung around outside home	35.5
Loitered or hung around outside workplace, school or education facility	33.6
Loitered or hung around outside place of leisure/social activities	21.2
Posted offensive or unwanted messages, images or personal information on the internet about them	16.2
Interfered with or damaged any property	14.7
Hacked or accessed email, social media or other online account without their consent to follow or track them	11.1
Gave or left objects where they could be found that were offensive or disturbing	10.5
Followed or watched using electronic tracking device (eg. GPS tracking system, computer spyware)	8.6
Impersonated them online to damage their reputation	3.7

Women who experienced stalking by a male(a), Stalking behaviours experienced(b)

["","Most recent episode of stalking by a male"]

[["Maintained unwanted contact by phone, postal mail, email, text messages or social media websites","Followed or watched in person","Loitered or hung around outside home","Loitered or hung around outside workplace, school or education facility","Loitered or hung around outside place of leisure\/social activities","Posted offensive or unwanted messages, images or personal information on the internet about them","Interfered with or damaged any property","Hacked or accessed email, social media or other online account without their consent to follow or track them","Gave or left objects where they could be found that were offensive or disturbing","Followed or watched using electronic tracking device (eg. GPS tracking system, computer spyware)","Impersonated them online to damage their reputation"],[[64.5],[39.799999999999997],[35.5],[33.600000000000001],[21.199999999999999],[16.199999999999999],[14.699999999999999],[11.1],[10.5],[8.5999999999999996],[3.7000000000000002]]]

[]

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Refers to the most recent episode of stalking by a male that occurred in the last 10 years.
Multiple stalking behaviours may have been experienced in the most recent episode.

Method of first incident

In the first incident of stalking by the most recent male stalker in the last 10 years, women were more likely to have been followed or watched in person (54%) than stalked electronically (e.g. via internet, phone) (42%).

Duration

Women who experienced stalking by a male(a), Duration of the most recent episode
	Most recent episode of stalking by a male (%)
Less than 1 month	29.0
1 month to less than 1 year	35.8
1 year to less than 3 years	19.5
3 years or more	15.7

Police reporting

One-quarter (25% or 242,600) of women who experienced stalking by a male in the last 10 years said the police were contacted about the most recent episode, including 22% (212,900) who contacted the police themselves.

Of the 242,600 women who contacted the police about the most recent stalking episode by a male, 19% said that the perpetrator was charged.

For the 717,500 women who did not contact the police, common reasons women provided for not contacting the police included:

Feeling they could deal with it themselves (40% or 283,500)
Did not regard it as a serious offence (37% or 262,900)
Did not think there was anything the police could do (27% or 192,800)

Women who experienced stalking by a male and did not contact the police(a), All reasons police were not contacted(b)
	Most recent episode of stalking by a male (%)
Felt that they could deal with it themselves	39.5
Did not regard it as a serious offence	36.6
Did not think there was anything police could do	26.9
Did not know or think it was a crime	22.3
Did not think police would do anything	18.7
Would not be believed/insufficient evidence	13.8
Fear of person responsible	10.8
Shame or embarrassment	9.7
Did not want person responsible arrested	9.6
Did not want to ask for help	8.3
Did not trust police	5.7
Fear of legal processes	3.8

Women who experienced stalking by a male and did not contact the police(a), All reasons police were not contacted(b)

["","Most recent episode of stalking by a male"]

[["Felt that they could deal with it themselves","Did not regard it as a serious offence","Did not think there was anything police could do","Did not know or think it was a crime","Did not think police would do anything","Would not be believed\/insufficient evidence","Fear of person responsible","Shame or embarrassment","Did not want person responsible arrested","Did not want to ask for help","Did not trust police","Fear of legal processes"],[[39.5],[36.600000000000001],[26.899999999999999],[22.300000000000001],[18.699999999999999],[13.800000000000001],[10.800000000000001],[9.6999999999999993],[9.5999999999999996],[8.3000000000000007],[5.7000000000000002],[3.7999999999999998]]]

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Refers to the most recent episode of stalking by a male that occurred in the last 10 years.
More than one reason for not contacting the police may have been provided.

Perception of stalking as a crime

Emotional and life impacts

Emotional impacts

Almost all women (96%) who experienced stalking by a male in the last 10 years reported at least one emotional impact due to the stalking episode.

The most common emotional impacts experienced included:

Anger or annoyance (64% or 613,400)
Being more cautious or aware (62% or 595,200)
Anxiety or panic attacks (52% or 496,800)
Fear for own safety (49% or 471,200)

Women who experienced stalking by a male(a), Emotional impacts(b)
	Most recent episode of stalking by a male (%)
Anger/annoyance	63.6
More cautious/aware	61.7
Anxiety/panic attacks	51.5
Fear for own safety	48.9
Loss of confidence/feeling vulnerable	44.8
Crying/tears/sadness	39.6
Difficulty sleeping	37.3
Shock	29.7
Shame/guilt	25.7
Increased use of alcohol or drugs or medication	8.6

Women who experienced stalking by a male(a), Emotional impacts(b)

["","Most recent episode of stalking by a male"]

[["Anger\/annoyance","More cautious\/aware","Anxiety\/panic attacks","Fear for own safety","Loss of confidence\/feeling vulnerable","Crying\/tears\/sadness","Difficulty sleeping","Shock","Shame\/guilt","Increased use of alcohol or drugs or medication"],[[63.600000000000001],[61.700000000000003],[51.5],[48.899999999999999],[44.799999999999997],[39.600000000000001],[37.299999999999997],[29.699999999999999],[25.699999999999999],[8.5999999999999996]]]

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Refers to the most recent episode of stalking by a male that occurred in the last 10 years.
More than one emotional impact may have been experienced.

Areas of life impacted

Of the 964,500 women who experienced stalking by a male in the last 10 years, 69% had at least one area of their life impacted by the most recent episode.

The most common areas of life affected were:

Social life impacts, including difficulty building/maintaining relationships or being in public spaces (44% or 423,600)
Home life impacts, including difficulty completing household tasks or changes to eating or sleeping habits (41% or 394,900)

Women who experienced stalking by a male(a), Areas of life impacted(b)
	Most recent episode of stalking by a male (%)
Social life(c)	43.9
Home life(d)	40.9
Work or school life(e)	34.3
Changed contact details(f)	33.6
None of these	30.3

Women who experienced stalking by a male(a), Areas of life impacted(b)

["","Most recent episode of stalking by a male"]

[["Social life(c)","Home life(d)","Work or school life(e)","Changed contact details(f)","None of these"],[[43.899999999999999],[40.899999999999999],[34.299999999999997],[33.600000000000001],[30.300000000000001]]]

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Refers to the most recent episode of stalking by a male that occurred in the last 10 years.
More than one area of life may have been impacted.
Examples include difficulty building or maintaining relationships, attending social events or being in public spaces.
Examples include completing household tasks, eating, sleeping habits, fear to be alone and moved house.
Examples include took time off work, quit job and took alternative transport.
Examples include changed home phone, mobile, email or social accounts such as Facebook.

Assault by stalker

Women’s experiences of stalking by a male intimate partner

A male intimate partner includes current partner (living with), previous partner (has lived with), boyfriend/date and ex-boyfriend (never lived with).

This section presents information for women aged 18 years and over about the characteristics of their most recent episode of stalking by a male that occurred within the last 10 years, where the male was an intimate partner.

Of the 964,500 women who experienced stalking by a male in the last 10 years, 45% (431,400) experienced the most recent episode by a male intimate partner.

Stalking behaviours and method of stalking

Behaviours

Of the 431,400 women who experienced stalking by a male intimate partner:

74% experienced more than one behaviour
The mean number of behaviours experienced was 3.3

Common stalking behaviours experienced by women in the most recent episode of stalking by a male intimate partner included:

Maintained unwanted contact by phone, postal mail, email, text messages or social media websites (78% or 336,400)
Loitered or hung around their location (60% or 259,200)
Followed or tracked them (53% or 226,600)

Women who experienced stalking by a male intimate partner(a), Stalking behaviours experienced(b)
	Most recent episode of stalking by a male intimate partner (%)
Maintained unwanted contact by phone, postal mail, email, text messages or social media websites	78.0
Loitered or hung around location(c)	60.1
Followed or tracked(d)	52.5
Inappropriate online posting/impersonation(e)	26.4
Interfered with or damaged any property	24.1
Gave or left objects where they could be found that were offensive or disturbing	16.6

Women who experienced stalking by a male intimate partner(a), Stalking behaviours experienced(b)

["","Most recent episode of stalking by a male intimate partner"]

[["Maintained unwanted contact by phone, postal mail, email, text messages or social media websites","Loitered or hung around location(c)","Followed or tracked(d)","Inappropriate online posting\/impersonation(e)","Interfered with or damaged any property","Gave or left objects where they could be found that were offensive or disturbing"],[[78],[60.100000000000001],[52.5],[26.399999999999999],[24.100000000000001],[16.600000000000001]]]

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Refers to the most recent episode of stalking by a male intimate partner that occurred in the last 10 years.
Multiple stalking behaviours may have been experienced in the most recent episode.
Includes loitered or hung around outside home, workplace, school or education facility, or place of leisure/social activities.
Includes followed or watched in person, using electronic tracking device (e.g. GPS tracking system, computer spyware), or hacked or accessed email, social media or other online account without their consent to follow or track them.
Includes posted offensive or unwanted messages, images or personal information on the internet about them, or impersonated them online to damage their reputation.

Method of first incident

Women who experienced stalking by an intimate partner in the last 10 years were more likely to have been stalked electronically in the first incident (54%) than to have been followed or watched in person (43%).

Duration

Women who experienced stalking by a male intimate partner(a), Duration of the most recent episode
	Most recent episode of stalking by a male intimate partner (%)
Less than 1 month	15.7
1 month to less than 1 year	30.9
1 year to less than 3 years	24.9
3 years or more	26.9

Police reporting

Perception of stalking as a crime

Emotional and life impacts

Emotional impacts

Almost all women (96%) who experienced stalking by a male intimate partner in the last 10 years reported at least one emotional impact due to the stalking episode.

The most common emotional impacts experienced included:

Anger or annoyance (70% or 299,800)
Anxiety or panic attacks (67% or 287,600)
Being more cautious or aware (62% or 268,300)

Women who experienced stalking by a male intimate partner(a), Emotional impacts(b)
	Most recent episode of stalking by a male intimate partner (%)
Anger/annoyance	69.5
Anxiety/panic attacks	66.7
More cautious/aware	62.2
Crying/tears/sadness	61.6
Loss of confidence/feeling vulnerable	58.3
Difficulty sleeping	58.2
Fear for own safety	56.9
Shame/guilt	40.0
Shock	31.7
Increased use of alcohol or drugs or medication	14.1

Women who experienced stalking by a male intimate partner(a), Emotional impacts(b)

["","Most recent episode of stalking by a male intimate partner"]

[["Anger\/annoyance","Anxiety\/panic attacks","More cautious\/aware","Crying\/tears\/sadness","Loss of confidence\/feeling vulnerable","Difficulty sleeping","Fear for own safety","Shame\/guilt","Shock","Increased use of alcohol or drugs or medication"],[[69.5],[66.700000000000003],[62.200000000000003],[61.600000000000001],[58.299999999999997],[58.200000000000003],[56.899999999999999],[40],[31.699999999999999],[14.1]]]

[]

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Refers to the most recent episode of stalking by a male intimate partner that occurred in the last 10 years.
More than one emotional impact may have been experienced.

Areas of life impacted

Of the 431,400 women who experienced stalking by a male intimate partner in the last 10 years, 83% had at least one area of their life impacted by the most recent episode.

Common areas of life affected were:

Social life impacts, including difficulty building/maintaining relationships or being in public spaces (64% or 275,600)
Home life impacts, including difficulty completing household tasks or changes to eating or sleeping habits (59% or 254,900)

Women who experienced stalking by a male intimate partner(a), Areas of life impacted(b)
	Most recent episode of stalking by a male intimate partner (%)
Social life(c)	63.9
Home life(d)	59.1
Changed contact details(e)	51.2
Work or school life(f)	37.9
None of these	17.2

Women who experienced stalking by a male intimate partner(a), Areas of life impacted(b)

["","Most recent episode of stalking by a male intimate partner"]

[["Social life(c)","Home life(d)","Changed contact details(e)","Work or school life(f)","None of these"],[[63.899999999999999],[59.100000000000001],[51.200000000000003],[37.899999999999999],[17.199999999999999]]]

[]

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Refers to the most recent episode of stalking by a male intimate partner that occurred in the last 10 years.
More than one area of life may have been impacted.
Examples include difficulty building or maintaining relationships, attending social events or being in public spaces.
Examples include completing household tasks, eating, sleeping habits, fear to be alone and moved house.
Examples include changed home phone, mobile, email or social accounts such as Facebook.
Examples include took time off work, quit job and took alternative transport.

Assault by stalker

Women’s experiences of stalking by a female

This section presents information for women aged 18 years and over about the characteristics of their most recent episode of stalking by a female that occurred within the last 10 years.

Relationship to perpetrator

Women who experienced stalking by a female(a), Relationship to perpetrator
	Most recent episode of stalking by a female (%)
Acquaintance or neighbour	33.8
Stranger(b)	22.0
Friend or housemate	16.6
Family member(c)	16.5
Work/professional relationship(b)(d)	9.8

Stalking behaviours and method of stalking

Behaviours

Of the 164,700 women who experienced stalking by a female in the last 10 years, in the most recent episode:

64% experienced more than one behaviour
The mean number of behaviours experienced was 2.3

Common stalking behaviours experienced by women in the most recent episode of stalking by a female included:

Maintained unwanted contact by phone, postal mail, email, text messages or social media websites (67% or 109,600)
Followed or tracked them (42% or 69,200)
Loitered or hung around their location (39% or 63,500)

Women who experienced stalking by a female(a), Stalking behaviours experienced(b)
	Most recent episode of stalking by a female (%)
Maintained unwanted contact by phone, postal mail, email, text messages or social media websites	66.5
Followed or tracked(c)	42.0
Loitered or hung around location(d)	38.6
Inappropriate online posting/impersonation(e)	35.6
Interfered with or damaged any property(f)	13.9
Gave or left objects where they could be found that were offensive or disturbing(f)	8.0

Women who experienced stalking by a female(a), Stalking behaviours experienced(b)

["","Most recent episode of stalking by a female"]

[["Maintained unwanted contact by phone, postal mail, email, text messages or social media websites","Followed or tracked(c)","Loitered or hung around location(d)","Inappropriate online posting\/impersonation(e)","Interfered with or damaged any property(f)","Gave or left objects where they could be found that were offensive or disturbing(f)"],[[66.5],[42],[38.600000000000001],[35.600000000000001],[13.9],[8]]]

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Refers to the most recent episode of stalking by a female that occurred in the last 10 years.
Multiple stalking behaviours may have been experienced in the most recent episode.
Includes followed or watched in person, using electronic tracking device (e.g. GPS tracking system, computer spyware), or hacked or accessed email, social media or other online account without their consent to follow or track them.
Includes loitered or hung around outside home, workplace, school or education facility, or place of leisure/social activities.
Includes posted offensive or unwanted messages, images or personal information on the internet about them, or impersonated them online to damage their reputation.
Proportion has an RSE of between 25% and 50% and should be used with caution

Method of first incident

In the first incident of stalking by the most recent female stalker in the last 10 years, women were more likely to have been stalked electronically (e.g. via internet, phone) (57%) than followed or watched in person (43%).

Duration

Women who experienced stalking by a female(a), Duration of the most recent episode
	Most recent episode of stalking by a female (%)
Less than 1 month(b)	15.3
1 month to less than 1 year	44.9
1 year to less than 3 years	17.8
3 years or more	16.2

Police reporting

Perception of stalking as a crime

Emotional and life impacts

Emotional impacts

Almost all women (96%) who experienced stalking by a female in the last 10 years reported an emotional impact due to the stalking.

The most common emotional impacts experienced included:

Anger or annoyance (74% or 121,300)
Being more cautious or aware (67% or 110,100)
Anxiety or panic attacks (57% or 93,300)

Women who experienced stalking by a female(a), Emotional impacts(b)
	Most recent episode of stalking by a female (%)
Anger/annoyance	73.6
More cautious/aware	66.8
Anxiety/panic attacks	56.6
Fear for own safety	44.4
Loss of confidence/feeling vulnerable	41.8
Crying/tears/sadness	40.0
Difficulty sleeping	39.4
Shock	37.9
Shame/guilt	23.4

Women who experienced stalking by a female(a), Emotional impacts(b)

["","Most recent episode of stalking by a female"]

[["Anger\/annoyance","More cautious\/aware","Anxiety\/panic attacks","Fear for own safety","Loss of confidence\/feeling vulnerable","Crying\/tears\/sadness","Difficulty sleeping","Shock","Shame\/guilt"],[[73.599999999999994],[66.799999999999997],[56.600000000000001],[44.399999999999999],[41.799999999999997],[40],[39.399999999999999],[37.899999999999999],[23.399999999999999]]]

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Refers to the most recent episode of stalking by a female that occurred in the last 10 years.
More than one emotional impact may have been experienced.

Areas of life impacted

Of the 164,700 women who experienced stalking by a female in the last 10 years, 80% had at least one area of their life impacted by the most recent episode.

Common areas of life affected were:

Home life impacts, including difficulty completing household tasks or changes to eating or sleeping habits (51% or 83,100)
Changed contact details (43% or 70,200)

Women who experienced stalking by a female(a), Areas of life impacted(b)
	Most recent episode of stalking by a female (%)
Home life(c)	50.5
Changed contact details(d)	42.6
Social life(e)	41.2
Work or school life(f)	38.9
None of these	19.9

Women who experienced stalking by a female(a), Areas of life impacted(b)

["","Most recent episode of stalking by a female"]

[["Home life(c)","Changed contact details(d)","Social life(e)","Work or school life(f)","None of these"],[[50.5],[42.600000000000001],[41.200000000000003],[38.899999999999999],[19.899999999999999]]]

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Refers to the most recent episode of stalking by a female that occurred in the last 10 years.
More than one emotional impact may have been experienced.
Examples include completing household tasks, eating, sleeping habits, fear to be alone and moved house.
Examples include changed home phone, mobile, email or social accounts such as Facebook.
Examples include difficulty building or maintaining relationships, attending social events or being in public spaces.
Examples include took time off work, quit job and took alternative transport.

Assault by stalker

Glossary

Show all

Cohabiting partner

See Partner.

Disability

Any limitation, restriction or impairment which restricts everyday activities and has lasted, or is likely to last, for at least six months.

Family member

Includes parents/step-parents, children/step-children, siblings/step-siblings, and other relatives or in-laws.

Intimate partner

Includes current partner (living with), previous partner (has lived with), boyfriend/girlfriend/date and ex-boyfriend/ex-girlfriend (never lived with).

Partner

Includes someone the person lives with (current partner) or lived with at some point (previous partner) in a married or de facto relationship. This may also be described as a cohabiting partner.

Perpetrator

The person responsible for any acts of stalking, as identified by the person who the acts were directed against.

Relationship to perpetrator refers to the relationship of the perpetrator to the person at the time of the interview, as perceived by the person who the stalking was directed against.

Prevalence

Refers to the number and proportion (rate) of persons in a given population who have experienced stalking within a specified time frame – usually in the last 12 months (12 months prior to the survey) and since the age of 15.

Relative Standard Error

Relative Standard Error (RSE) is the standard error expressed as a percentage of the estimate.

Stalking

Stalking involves various behaviours, such as loitering and following, which the person believed were being undertaken with the intent to cause them fear or distress. To be classified as stalking, more than one type of behaviour had to occur, or the same type of behaviour had to occur on more than one occasion. Stalking behaviours include:

Loitered or hung around outside their home
Loitered or hung around outside their workplace
Loitered or hung around outside their place of leisure or social activities
Followed or watched them in person
Followed or watched them using an electronic tracking device (e.g. GPS tracking system, computer spyware)
Maintained unwanted contact with them by phone, postal mail, email, text messages or social media websites
Posted offensive or unwanted messages, images or personal information about them on the internet
Impersonated them online to damage their reputation
Hacked or accessed their email, social media or other online account without their consent to follow or track them
Gave or left objects where they could be found that were offensive or disturbing
Interfered with or damaged any of their property

Data downloads

Stalking prevalence and socio-demographic characteristics (Table 1 to 3)

Stalking prevalence rates and time series. Socio-demographic characteristics for women.

Data files

Download xlsx [79.71 KB]

Women's experiences of stalking (Table 4 to 12)

Characteristics of women’s most recent episode of stalking by a male and by a female, including behaviours, police reporting and relationship to perpetrator, whether assaulted and emotional impacts.

Data files

Download xlsx [137.07 KB]

Men's experiences of stalking (Table 13 to 15)

Characteristics of men’s most recent episode of stalking by a male and by a female, including behaviours, police reporting, whether assaulted and emotional impacts.

Data files

Download xlsx [66.07 KB]

All data downloads

All Stalking data download files.

Data files

Download zip [224.8 KB]

Methodology

Personal Safety, Australia methodology, 2021-22 financial year

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APA

Stalking

APA

Key statistics

About this release

COVID-19 context

Data quality and interpretation

Definition of stalking

Prevalence rates

Experiences of stalking since the age of 15(a)

Prevalence rates by sex of perpetrator

Changes over time

Women

Men

Socio-demographic characteristics

Age

Disability

Family composition

Current study status

Housing - Tenure type

Remoteness area

Financial stress

Women’s experiences of stalking by a male

Relationship to perpetrator

Stalking behaviours and method of stalking

Behaviours

Method of first incident

Duration

Police reporting

Perception of stalking as a crime

Emotional and life impacts

Emotional impacts

Areas of life impacted

Assault by stalker

Women’s experiences of stalking by a male intimate partner

Stalking behaviours and method of stalking

Behaviours

Method of first incident

Duration

Police reporting

Perception of stalking as a crime

Emotional and life impacts

Emotional impacts

Areas of life impacted

Assault by stalker

Women’s experiences of stalking by a female

Relationship to perpetrator

Stalking behaviours and method of stalking

Behaviours

Method of first incident

Duration

Police reporting

Police contact

Perception of stalking as a crime

Emotional and life impacts

Emotional impacts

Areas of life impacted

Assault by stalker

Glossary

Show all

Cohabiting partner

Disability

Family member

Intimate partner

Partner

Perpetrator

Prevalence

Relative Standard Error

Stalking

Data downloads

Stalking prevalence and socio-demographic characteristics (Table 1 to 3)

Women's experiences of stalking (Table 4 to 12)

Men's experiences of stalking (Table 13 to 15)

All data downloads

Methodology

Media releases

1 in 7 Australians have been stalked

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Microdata and TableBuilder