Experience of stalking and harassment type behaviours in staff

Abstract

The aim of the current study was to explore the experience of stalking and harassment from clients on mental health professionals working within a community forensic service. A cross sectional survey design was used. A large majority of respondents (88.9%) reported being harassed in at least one of the specified ways on at least one occasion. Of the respondents, 42.2% met the operational definition for stalking utilised in this study. Most respondents used a range of strategies in response to their harassment, the most common being to discuss the issue in supervision. A range of impacts on wellbeing were reported, the most common being increased stress levels which was reported by 47.4% of stalked respondents. The current research supports suggestions in the literature that mental health professionals may be at heightened risk of being stalked, and that this has personal and professional impacts. The implications of the research for organisational practice, such as the provision of support and training, are discussed as well as implications for future research.