Police-Identified Psychological Distress and Substance Use Among Male Intimate Partner Stalkers in the Western Australia Criminal Justice System

Abstract

This project examined violence, substance use, and psychological distress among men reported to police for stalking a woman ex-partner. A scoping review systematically mapped stalkers’ substance use for the first time. Analysis of police incident reports showed ex-partner stalker men were not a homogenous group and differentiating the type and severity of their behaviour was important. The findings suggest that police officers should screen for stalkers’ drug use, severe threats, and suicidality during risk assessment.