Stalking and “ammonimento” (warning): results from an explorative analysis in Lombardy

Abstract

Among the measures to tackle stalking, the Italian regulation provides for ammonimento, an oral warning aimed at stopping the stalker. This study aims at analysing the use of such measure three years after its introduction: it focuses on an Italian Region (Lombardy) and analyses both the ammonimentos issued by police departments from February 2009 to October 2012 and the semi-structured interviews administered to police officers and anti-violence centres operators. Although the ammonimento may be effective, the study suggests that it is underemployed since stalking victims are not aware of its existence. The definition of a standard protocol of information to be collected in the administrative phase and the implementation of a risk assessment methodology concerning stalker recidivism and risk of escalation might overcome the current limitations of the ammonimento.