Stalking is more prevalent than many might think, but how often do we actually discuss it? Recent data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) paints a stark picture—one that we can’t afford to overlook. With millions of Australians impacted, the numbers should provoke more questions than answers. So, why aren’t we talking about it more?
One in five women in Australia has experienced stalking since the age of 15. That’s around 2 million individuals whose lives have been marked by fear, intimidation, and anxiety. In comparison, one in fifteen men—roughly 653,400—have endured the same. The gender gap is undeniable. But why are women so much more likely to be stalked than men?
The data suggests deeper societal issues. Men overwhelmingly feature as the primary perpetrators when women are the victims, with 19% of female victims reporting male stalkers. For men, the pattern is different; their experiences of stalking are almost evenly split between male and female perpetrators. What’s driving this difference? Could it be linked to wider patterns of gendered violence?
Age also plays a significant role in who becomes a victim. Young women, particularly those aged 18 to 34, are the most likely to be stalked. In a world dominated by technology and social media, where boundaries blur and privacy can be easily violated, does this surprise anyone? Is the increasing role of technology turning stalking into a digital problem just as much as a physical one?
The troubling trends don’t stop there. Women with disabilities face a slightly higher risk, as do those living in single-parent households. The reasons for this are complex, but it raises questions about how vulnerability and isolation may make certain groups more susceptible to such behaviour. Are we providing enough protection or support to those who need it most?
And then there’s the issue of reporting. Many victims don’t come forward—whether out of fear, shame, or the belief that their experiences won’t be taken seriously. Nearly half of women stalked by a male intimate partner in the past decade didn’t report it to the authorities. What does this tell us about the system? Are victims losing faith in law enforcement’s ability to act? Or is it that the fear of further retaliation keeps them silent?
It’s not just emotional trauma that victims of stalking face—there’s often a financial and social toll as well. The survey reveals that women struggling with financial stress are more likely to experience stalking than those without these pressures. Is this a coincidence? Or is it another reflection of how the vulnerable are targeted in our society?
The urban-rural divide also makes for an interesting piece of the puzzle. Women living in major cities are more likely to report stalking incidents than those in rural areas. Yet, with the anonymity afforded by city living, is it possible that these urban centres are making it easier for stalkers to hide in plain sight? Are we underestimating how geography plays into this?
What about technology? The nature of stalking has evolved, with new digital avenues opening up for stalkers. Tracking devices, online impersonation, and social media harassment have joined more traditional methods, giving perpetrators more tools than ever. Are our laws keeping up with these new forms of harassment? And, more importantly, are victims even aware of the full extent of the ways in which they can be targeted?
As the data becomes clearer, it’s evident that stalking is not an isolated issue. It intertwines with other forms of abuse—particularly in cases of domestic violence. For many women, stalking is just one part of a broader pattern of coercive control and intimidation by a partner. Yet, the lack of police reporting hints at a system failing to address the full scope of this abuse.
With millions affected across the country, can we afford to ignore the growing problem of stalking any longer? As technology advances and societal structures evolve, one thing remains constant: the need for better protection, understanding, and action to tackle stalking in all its forms.
Are we ready to ask the hard questions, and more importantly, to act on them? Or will the next round of statistics be just another set of numbers lost in the noise?
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