Stalking as a Method of Coercive Control in Intimate Partner Abuse

Stalking is frequently seen as an isolated criminal act, but when it occurs within the realm of intimate partner abuse, it serves as a tool for coercive control—an approach used by abusers to manipulate, intimidate, and dominate their partners.

Coercive control is characterized by a series of behaviors that include emotional, psychological, and sometimes physical abuse, all intended to dominate the victim’s life. Stalking, whether during the relationship or after separation, is an especially harmful form of this control.

Stalking During the Relationship: Surveillance and Control

Stalking within an abusive relationship often starts well before the victim attempts to leave. Abusers use stalking to keep a close watch on their partner's actions, monitor their whereabouts, and intrude on their privacy. This behavior can manifest in various ways, such as checking the victim's phone, reading their emails, opening their mail, following them to work, or even installing tracking devices on their vehicle or phone. The goal is clear: to keep the victim constantly under the abuser's control, leaving them no chance to escape or seek help.

Studies have indicated that stalking behaviors are common in abusive relationships. Research published in the Journal of Interpersonal Violence found that 40% of women who experienced intimate partner violence also reported being stalked by their partner during the relationship. These actions are often downplayed by the abuser or even by the victim, who may mistakenly view them as signs of concern or love. However, these behaviors are deliberate efforts to exert dominance and control.

Post-Separation Stalking

Stalking tends to become more frequent and dangerous after a victim leaves the relationship. When the abuser loses direct control over their partner, they often intensify their efforts to reassert power. Post-separation stalking can involve incessant phone calls, threatening messages, following the victim, damaging property, showing up uninvited at their home or workplace, and even employing third parties, such as private investigators, to track or harass the victim.

Stalking as a method of coercive control is especially hazardous because it tends to escalate over time. What may start as frequent phone calls or surprise visits can quickly escalate to threats of violence or actual physical harm. The intensification of stalking behaviors after a relationship ends is often a desperate attempt by the abuser to regain control, sometimes resulting in tragic outcomes.

Statistics regarding post-separation stalking are concerning. According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV), 76% of women murdered by an intimate partner were first stalked by them. Additionally, 89% of women who were physically assaulted by their abuser had also been stalked in the year preceding the assault. These statistics underscore the strong link between stalking and lethal violence in the context of intimate partner abuse.

Stalking as a Forewarning of Domestic Violence Homicide

Stalking is not only a form of psychological terror but also a significant indicator of future violence, including homicide. Research consistently demonstrates that stalking is one of the most critical risk factors for intimate partner homicide. A recent report by the Domestic Violence Death Review Team in NSW, Australia, found that stalking was a factor in nearly three-quarters of cases where a woman was murdered after separating from her partner.

Jane Monckton Smith, a Professor of Public Protection at the University of Gloucestershire, has long emphasized that stalking is a clear signal of escalating risk and is almost always a precursor in domestic abuse homicide cases. In her book In Control: Dangerous Relationships and How The End in Murder, she outlines an eight-stage ‘homicide timeline.’ The fifth stage involves escalating control or the onset of stalking, which may be followed by a shift in focus, planning, and ultimately homicide and/or suicide. “Stalking is always a concerning behavior, and in all situations, indicates that obsessive and fixated patterns are present,” explains Ms. Monckton Smith (p. 147).

The Impact of Technology on Stalking

In today's digital age, stalking has become easier and more widespread due to the availability of various technologies. Abusers can utilize GPS tracking devices, spyware, and social media to monitor and control their victims. The Cyber Civil Rights Initiative reports that technology-facilitated stalking is now a common tactic in abusive relationships, with 71% of domestic violence victims reporting being stalked through technology. Moreover, a recent NSW Crime Commission report revealed that one in four individuals who purchase tracking devices have a history of domestic violence.

This type of stalking can be particularly intrusive and difficult to escape. Abusers may use location-sharing features on smartphones, hack into email accounts, or monitor social media activity to keep track of their victims. The constant digital surveillance leaves the victim feeling as though there is no safe space, reinforcing the fear and control that define coercive relationships.

Legal and Social Responses to Stalking

The recognition of stalking as a serious and dangerous aspect of intimate partner violence has led to some changes in legal and social responses. Many regions now have specific stalking laws that can be used to prosecute abusers. However, there is still a considerable gap between the prevalence of stalking and the availability of effective legal remedies.

Restraining orders, for instance, are a common legal tool used by stalking victims. However, research suggests that these orders are often violated by the abuser, and enforcement can be inconsistent. According to the National Institute of Justice, 60% of restraining orders against intimate partner stalkers are violated, highlighting the need for stronger enforcement mechanisms.

Social responses to stalking within the context of coercive control also require improvement. Victims often encounter disbelief or minimization of their experiences, particularly when stalking behaviors do not initially involve physical violence. Education and raising awareness about the dangers of stalking and its role in coercive control are essential for ensuring that victims receive the necessary support and protection.

References

Logan, T. K., Shannon, L., & Walker, R. (2005). Stalking victimization in the context of intimate partner violence. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 20(3), 279-306.

Monckton Smith, J. (2022). In Control: Dangerous Relationships and How The End in Murder,  Bloomsbury Publishing.

Featured image: Stalking and coercive control. Source: Innovated Captures / Adobe Stock.