ABSTRACT
This chapter addresses the nature and extent of stalking. The interrelated issues of prevalence and definition are considered, with particular emphasis given to the question of why a definition of stalking is so difficult to formulate. This discussion focuses upon the legislative approach to the definition of stalking, both in England and Australia, in order to illustrate the problems involved in formulating a workable definition. Finally, this chapter considers whether this type of problem was a novel feature of the 1990s or whether it was in existence for many years before a commonly accepted terminology facilitated its rise to prominence as a prevalent social problem in need of a legislative response.
