Investigating the relationship between stalking and intimate partner abuse

The association between post-relationship stalking and intimate partner abuse that occurs during a relationship is poorly understood and under-researched. Between 2012 and 2016, researchers at the Centre for Forensic Behavioural Science were involved in a project led by doctoral candidate Svenja Senkans to investigate this relationship further. This research has examined the co-occurrence of intimate partner abuse during a relationship and stalking after its end, and investigated psychological characteristics associated with perpetrating post-relationship stalking, such as the role of various attitudinal and cognitive factors.

Research into the relationship between IPV and post-relationship stalking is ongoing, with publications examining the relationship between various psychological constructs and these behaviours expected over coming years.

McEwan, T.E., Shea, D.E., Nazarewicz, J. & Senkans, S. (2017). Re-assessing the link between stalking and intimate partner abuse. Partner Abuse, 8(2), 223-250

Senkans, S., McEwan, T.E. & Ogloff, J.R.P. (2017). Assessing the link between intimate partner violence and post-relationship stalking: A gender-inclusive study. Journal of Interpersonal Violence. Advance online publication.