Stalking was defined in the study as repeated loitering and following intended to cause fear or distress, including unwanted contact through various means and property interference.

The data showed that 88% of women who reported being stalked were targeted by men, with 78% stalked by someone they knew, including 45% by a current or former intimate partner.

Among stalking behaviors reported by male intimate partners, the most common included unwanted contact through phone, email, or social media (78%), loitering (60%), and following (52.5%).

Young women aged 18-34 and those under financial stress are at a higher risk of experiencing stalking compared to older, more financially secure women.

A recent survey in Australia revealed that one in five women over the age of 15 has experienced stalking, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

William Milney, head of crime and justice statistics, highlighted that young women, students, renters, and those under financial stress are particularly vulnerable to stalking.

Elise Phillips from Domestic Violence NSW emphasized that stalking is a significant behavior within domestic violence cases.

In contrast, one in 15 men reported experiencing stalking since age 15, with male victims stalked by men and women at similar rates.

Half of the women stalked by a male intimate partner reported being assaulted or threatened with assault by that partner.

The 2021-22 Personal Safety Survey indicated that approximately 2 million women and 650,000 men have faced stalking since turning 15.

Additionally, half of these women experienced stalking for over a year, with 25% indicating that the stalking lasted more than three years.

The data collection period for the survey coincided with strict stay-at-home and lockdown orders in several Australian states, potentially impacting the findings.