Stalking: the deceitfulness of the tormentor

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Summary. The stalker is a predator who secretly follows a victim chosen according to a specific criterion, thus restating a particular form of intimidation, which includes repeated and unwanted intrusions and messages. The stalker’s aim is first to get in touch with his intended victim and dominate him/her through widespread control and, second, to provoke apprehension or fear in this person. There is no single behavioural profile of the stalker, since most stalkers fit a full clinical profile characterized by the coexistence of one or more mental disorders. The entire life of a stalker revolves around his victim; the stalker displays a series of ruthless, intrusive thoughts about the intended victim. The dramatic aspect of this personological trait is represented by an irremissibly, as well as risky, possession idea, deceitfully crafted to ensure a feeling of safety. This offsets a feeling of inferiority, which, from an individual psychological standpoint, characterizes man from birth throughout his life cycle. The stalker’s whole lifestyle seems, therefore, to be dominated by an underlying deceitfulness, which reflects into an exasperated and unquenchable need for security through his harassing/criminal behaviour, which in turn leads him to become a prey to his own deceitfulness.