Stalking targeted at one of the child’s parents by the other poses a major psychosocial and physical threat to children’s wellbeing and security. Although interdisciplinary research on stalking has expanded in recent decades, intimate partner/ex-partner stalking has been viewed as an “adults only” problem.
Ex-Partner Stalking and Children brings together scholars and practitioners from different disciplines in the field to examine ex-partner stalking as a psychosocial and criminological issue in children’s and young people’s lives. Providing both theoretical and practical perspectives, this comprehensive volume explores approaches for increasing awareness of parental stalking, addressing its impacts on children and young people, and advancing interventions and methods of support for them.
Throughout the text, the authors challenge existing conceptions of intimate partner/ex-partner stalking as a phenomenon that exists only between the partners, rather than a form of gendered violence that creates a victimizing environment for the children.
A novel contribution to both scholarly and practical understandings of ex-partner stalking, this important book: - Addresses a gap in knowledge on the socially, ethically, and legally challenging phenomenon of cases when one parent is stalking the other- Offers insights and tools to help practitioners better recognize, support, and intervene in parental stalking situations involving children- Examines research findings on stalking behavior, including psychological and trauma perspectives- Discusses best practices and working methods, challenges in identifying the child’s experiences, and factors preventing children from receiving help- Recommends future directions in promoting children’s and young people’s rights in ex-partner stalking
Part of the acclaimed Psycho-Criminology of Crime, Mental Health, and the Law series, Ex-Partner Stalking and Children: The Impact on Children When One Parent is Stalking the Other is essential reading for undergraduate and graduate students in disciplines such as criminology, social work, healthcare, psychology, and education, and an invaluable resource for law enforcement staff, nurses, psychologists, therapists, social workers, teachers, and other professionals who work with victims of stalking.
Table of Contents
List of Figures xv
List of Tables xvi
About the Editors xvii
About the Contributors xx
Foreword xxiv
Acknowledgments xxvi
1 Why Shed Light on Children in Cases of Ex-Partner Stalking? 1
Merja Laitinen, Anna Nikupeteri, and Heng Choon (Oliver) Chan
Research Background 1
Definition of Key Concepts 4
Structure of the Book 6
References 10
Part 1 Ex- Partner Stalking as a Multifaceted Phenomenon in Children’s Lives 17
2 Children as Collateral Victims of Separation/Divorce Stalking 19
Walter S. DeKeseredy
Introduction 19
Conceptualizing Separation/Divorce 20
Definition of Stalking 22
The Consequences of Child Exposure to Separation/Divorce Stalking 24
What is to be Done? 26
Conclusion 28
Notes 29
References 29
3 Manifestations of Ex-Partner/Parental Stalking in Children’s and Young People’s Lives 35
Merja Laitinen and Anna Nikupeteri
Introduction 35
Methods 37
Manifestations of Stalking and Their Impacts on Children 40
Children’s Experiences of Ex-Partner/Parental Stalking 41
Impacts of Stalking on Children’s Everyday Lives and Agency 44
Children in the Service System and Their Expectations of Being Helped 48
Conclusion 51
Note 53
References 53
4 The Impacts of Ex-Partner Stalking on Children: A Psychological and Trauma Perspective on Stalking 57
Didde Hauch and Ask Elklit
Introduction 57
Children and Trauma 58
Stalking as a Form of Domestic Violence That Impacts Children’s Well-Being 62
The Consequences of Parental Stalking: Findings from the Danish Research 64
Living Alongside the Stalked Mother 64
Risks for the Children 65
Conclusions 67
Note 69
References 69
Part 2 Challenges in Identifying Children’s Needs for Help 73
5 Factors Preventing Children from Receiving Help: Barriers of the Service System and Gaps in Professional Expertise in the Cases of Ex-Partnership/Parental Stalking and Coercive Control 75
Birgitta Vinkka, Anna Nikupeteri, and Merja Laitinen
Introduction 75
Data and Methods 77
Qualitative Survey 77
Data Analysis 79
Results and Discussion 79
Barriers of the Service System 79
Gaps in Expertise 85
Conclusion 89
Note 92
References 93
6 Challenges in Identifying the Child’s Experiences and Assessing Adverse Consequences of Stalking from the Child’s Perspective: Insights from the Finnish Practice 97
Eveliina Nilosaari, Salla Kaikkonen, Tiina Arpiainen, and Minna Goman
Introduction 97
Identifying the Social Boundary Conditions for Helping the Child 98
Ensuring the Importance of Listening to the Child’s Experiences and Views 100
The Importance of Risk Assessment 102
Managing the Challenges of the Service and Legal Systems 106
Conclusion 110
References 111
Part 3 Encountering Ex- Partner Stalking from the Child’s Perspective 113
7 A Child Perspective on Risk Management for Intimate Partner Violence and Stalking in Sweden 115
Susanne Strand, Åsa Källström, and Martina Vikander
Introduction 115
How Children are Affected by IPV and Stalking 117
Perpetrators Impact on Children 118
The Risk Principle: Conducting Risk Assessment for Violence 119
Assessing and Managing Risk for IPV and Stalking in Sweden 120
The Need Principle: Creating a Risk Management Strategy in Collaboration 122
The Responsivity Principle: Victim and Perpetrator Cooperation 123
The RNR-Based RISKSAM Model 124
Risk Assessment’s Effect on Children 125
Risk and Vulnerability Factors for Children 125
Protective Factors for Children 125
Risk Management and Children 127
Conclusion 128
References 129
8 Best Practices and Working Methods for Children and Young People: The Finnish Experience of Supporting a Child’s Coping 135
Eveliina Nilosaari, Salla Kaikkonen, Pirjo Ervasti, and Minna Goman
Introduction 135
Supporting the Child’s Safety and Coping 136
A Child-Focused Safety Plan 139
Home Safety 139
Safety of the Immediate Environment 141
Self-Regulation of Alertness Levels 143
Safe Relationships 144
Other Factors to Consider When Drafting a Safety Plan 145
Model for Enabling Contact Based on Strong Support 145
The Purpose and Content of the Strong Support-Based Contact-Enabling Model 146
One-on-One Work with Parties Engaged in or Exposed to Stalking 147
Practices Related to Supervised Contact between the Child and the Parent 148
Cooperation between Professionals 149
Possibilities and Challenges of the Contact-Enabling Model 149
Conclusion 151
Note 152
References 153
9 Conclusions and Future Directions: Promoting Children’s and Young People’s Rights in Ex-Partner Stalking 155
Merja Laitinen, Anna Nikupeteri, and Heng Choon (Oliver) Chan
References 159
Index 161
