Exploring perceptions of stalking-like behaviour for autistic young people within a neurodivergent and strengths-based framework: Critiquing relationships, sex and health education provision

Bovill, Helen; Chicken, Sarah; Bovill, Elouise; Buckland, Julie; McCartan, Kieran

Abstract

Many young people do not have a strong understanding of stalking-like behaviour; this chapter considers the challenges this presents with specific reference to autistic young people, focusing upon: prevalence, recognition, awareness and consequences of stalking-like behaviour. Validity of arguments which suggest autistic young people may be at greater risk to perpetration and victimisation of stalking-like behaviour are examined. We make the case that Relationships, Sex and Health Education (RSHE) is lacking for autistic young people and does not equip them with skills to form healthy intimate relationships. This chapter sits within a neurodivergent and strengths-based framework, aligned to a social model view of autism. The author team includes an autistic young person, and a parent of an autistic young person; remaining authors have experience working with autism. This chapter may be useful to special and mainstream education providers, and education, initial teacher education, social work, police, criminology, and sociology students.

Citation

Bovill, H., Chicken, S., Bovill, E., Buckland, J., & McCartan, K. (2023). Exploring perceptions of stalking-like behaviour for autistic young people within a neurodivergent and strengths-based framework: Critiquing relationships, sex and health education provision. In M. Mellins, R. Wheatley, & C. Flowers (Eds.), Young People, Stalking Awareness and Domestic Abuse (253-275). Palgrave Macmillan (part of Springer Nature). https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-32379-9_12

• Acceptance Date: Jan 20, 2023
• Online Publication Date: Aug 12, 2023
• Publication Date: Aug 12, 2023
• Deposit Date: Jan 27, 2023
• Publicly Available Date: Aug 13, 2025
• Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan (part of Springer Nature)
• Pages: 253-275
• Book Title: Young People, Stalking Awareness and Domestic Abuse
• ISBN: 9783031323782
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-32379-9_12
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/10390678
• Related Public URLs: https://www.alicerugglestrust.org/
• Additional Information: A Book in Partnership with the Alice Ruggles Trust.