The Consequences of the COVID-19 Lockdown on Stalking Victimisation

Abstract

Stalking involves repeated unwanted communication, harassment, and intrusive behaviour. This brief report draws on a service evaluation undertaken immediately prior to and during the 2020 COVID-19 crisis. The pandemic creates a paradox when considering safety in the home, but it is important to recognise the dangers this presents to many victims of stalking. The information presented in this report is based on existing literature and early evidence from semi-structured interviews and discussions with 15 victims and six practitioners. Whilst lockdown measures might appear to be a time when victims are less accessible to their stalkers, early evidence from this study suggests that their vulnerability is increased. Technology has helped to facilitate stalking behaviours by providing stalkers with new approaches to control, humiliate, threaten and isolate their victims. Some lockdown restrictions have provided increased opportunities for stalkers to monitor their victims and the professional uncertainty and recognition around stalking has continued, coupled with delays in the criminal justice system. The COVID-19 crisis has reversed gains made by stalking victims and has imprisoned some victims in their homes making their whereabouts easier to monitor. Stalking behaviour has not ceased as a result of the COVID-19 restrictions and the risk of harm to victims remains significant. Effective practice, policy and legal responses are required for both the victims and perpetrators of stalking during the pandemic and afterwards.

Buddhist Monastery, Amulet, Spiritual Support and COVID-19 Outbreak

“…Özdin and Bayrak Özdin noted that the most of patients affected by the COVID-19 pandemic are women [46]. Özdin and Bayrak Özdin also found that individuals with previous psychiatric illness, individuals living in urban areas and those with an accompanying chronic disease were also common groups that had anxiety during the COVID-19 outbreak period [23].…”

“…The local government has to implement several control measures against the outbreak. A common control measure is the lockdown [20][21][22][23][24]. According to the COVID-19 lockdown policies, an abrupt cessation of normal business and transportations systems occurs and this result in several socioeconomic impacts.…”

Intimate partner violence, stalking and the pandemic: Yet more paradoxes?

“…The early evidence on COVID‐19 lockdown and stalking victims suggests that even though lockdown might appear to be a time when victims are less accessible to their stalkers (because they are ‘safe’ within their homes), the victim's vulnerability has increased (Bracewell et al, 2020). Perpetrators still have a wide arsenal to use that enables them to continue stalking and perpetrating IPV against their ex‐partners.…”

“…For example, perpetrators may deliberately withhold the use of safety items such as protective masks and hand sanitizers when meeting the child. Such actions enable the perpetrator to use new ways of coercive and controlling behaviours against the ex‐partner and children (Bracewell et al 2020; Peterman et al 2020).…”

“…When victims remain in the physically static space of home, stalkers are provided with increased opportunities for surveillance. Moreover, because stalkers are not typically law‐abiding citizens, it is unlikely that they adhere to authorities’ safety recommendations to stay at home and avoid social interaction (Bracewell et al 2020; Nikupeteri, 2017): they may still continue stalking behaviour in person.…”