The Danish Police's Response to Stalking: An Exploration of Victim Perspectives.

This article focuses on the experiences of Danish stalking victims who sought or chose not to seek police assistance between 2015 and 2023. Using data from 1,019 respondents collected by the Danish Stalking Center, the study found that most victims were women, with 56.3% having contacted the police, while others refrained due to fears of escalation, lack of energy, or doubts about police effectiveness. Victims stalked by acquaintances or strangers reported more positive perceptions of police competence than those stalked by former intimate partners, and regional differences were observed in both police responses and types of stalking behaviors experienced. The findings highlight significant dissatisfaction among victims regarding police handling of stalking cases and underscore the need for improved law enforcement training, support services, and public awareness in Denmark, especially following the introduction of specific anti-stalking legislation in 2022.