Stalking: Forms of Behavior, Typologies, Responsibility in Foreign and Russian Legislation

This article, based on comparative legal analysis, reveals the essential characteristics of the process of development of foreign, international, and Russian legislation in terms of countering stalking (persecution). The psychological mechanisms of this behavior are generalized and systematized, typologies of stalkers are presented, as well as the possibilities of using these typologies in the work of law enforcement agencies. The author’s position is substantiated that theoretical studies of stalking in Russia are in their infancy, and domestic theories explaining stalking are underdeveloped compared to other areas of clinical psychology. Consequently, there is a dearth of research on concepts that can guide the formulation of legal norms aimed at effectively countering stalking in Russia. It is substantiated that persecution is an independent type of criminal offense. Based on a study of foreign legislative experience and known typologies of stalkers, a definition of stalking as a crime is given.