Abstract
Persons with disabilities face higher stalking risk than those without disabilities, yet formal reporting to law enforcement remains low. Using 2019 National Crime Victimization Survey Supplemental Victimization Survey (NCVS-SVS) data, this study examines stalking prevalence by disability status and type (N = 103,656). A subsample of stalking victims (n = 1,320) assesses reporting and consequences across four disability types (blind, deaf, cognitive, and physical). Results show higher stalking rates among persons with disabilities, especially cognitive disabilities. Despite elevated risk, persons with disabilities are not more likely to report victimization, and individuals with cognitive disabilities report the greatest fear of losing freedom. These findings suggest that routine activities increase exposure to motivated offenders while limiting access to capable guardianship, and that disability status reflects broader physical and social vulnerabilities emphasized in social vulnerability frameworks.
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