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Cited by 47Stalking, Cyberstalking, and HarassmentWorkplace Violence and BullyingIntimate Partner and Family Violence

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The Consequences of the COVID-19 Lockdown on Stalking Victimisation

Open access
Bracewell, Kelly, Hargreaves, Paul, Stanley, Nicky·2022·Journal of Family Violence
DOI 10.1007/s10896-020-00201-0PMC PMC7483056
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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.

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  • COVID-19 lockdown measures enabled stalkers to adapt and intensify their stalking activities as stay-at-home orders confined victims to their homes making them easier to surveil.

    “Findings from interviews with victims and practitioners suggest that COVID-19 lockdown measures enabled stalkers to adapt and intensify their stalking activities as stay-at-home orders confined victims to their homes making them easier to surveil.”

    From COVID-19 lockdowns, intimate partner violence and coercive control. (2021) · cites this paper as Bracewell et al., 2020

  • In the UK, a national stalking advocacy service reported a 50-70% increase in initial requests for support via e-mail from victims and services in the three months from April 2020 compared with the previous three months.

    “Stalking is often considered in the context of coercive control, and in the UK, a national stalking advocacy service reported a 50-70% increase in initial requests for support via e-mail from victims and services in the three months from April 2020 compared with the previous three months.”

    From COVID-19 lockdowns, intimate partner violence and coercive control. (2021) · cites this paper as Bracewell et al., 2020

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Research works printed but not linked: 27

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Metadata

Authors
Bracewell, K., Hargreaves, P., & Stanley, N.
Affiliations
University of Lancashire (GB)
Corresponding author
Bracewell, Kelly
ORCID
Venue
Journal of Family Violence
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Published
2020-09-10
Volume
37
Issue
6
Pages
951-957
ISSN
  • 0885-7482 (ISSN-L)
  • 1573-2851
DOI
10.1007/s10896-020-00201-0
PMC
PMC7483056
OpenAlex
W3085696573
Cited by
47
References
0
Citations by year
2026: 3 · 2025: 2 · 2024: 6 · 2023: 10 · 2022: 17 · 2021: 9
FWCI
1.58
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • Journal of Family Violence (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • CLOK (University of Central Lancashire) (submittedVersion)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Stalking, Cyberstalking, and Harassment
  • Social Sciences › Business, Management and Accounting › Organizational Behavior and Human Resource Management › Workplace Violence and Bullying
  • Social Sciences › Health › Intimate Partner and Family Violence
Keywords
stalking, COVID-19 lockdown, cyberstalking, victim vulnerability, home safety, criminal justice delays, victim support

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