RESEARCH
Correlates of Intimate Partner Stalking Precipitated Homicides in the United States
Intimate partner stalking ( IPS ) occurs when ‘ a former spouse , boyfriend , girlfriend , partner , or cohabitant ’ utilizes a “ pattern of harassing or threatening tactics that is unwanted and causes fear or safety concerns by the victim ”. While IPS has several predictors in common with intimate partner homicides including gender , relationship , and job performance problems , there is little research on homicides conducted by an intimate partner stalker . The purpose of this study was to examine the correlates of homicides that were committed by an intimate partner stalker .
Utilizing data from the National Violent Death Reporting System ( NVDRS ) from 2003 – 2015 , researchers identified 6,028 cases of intimate partner murder . Of these cases , 60 ( 1 %) were stalking precipitated deaths . While these 60 cases make up a small portion of the intimate partner murders , there were some unique findings by this study . Males committed 91 % of the
74 SUMMER . 2021 homicides . Victims who were not married were more than five times as likely to be murdered than those who were married . One half of all intimate partner murders by an intimate partner stalker were committed in the South , but when the numbers were weighted , victims in the Midwest were more likely to be murdered . Suspects were more than twice ( 200 %) as likely to utilize a firearm and having a documented history of abuse of the victim by the suspect tripled ( 300 %) the odds of a homicide .
The researchers ended with several recommendations . The level of female victims in this study facing job-related problems and loss of productivity almost reached the level of being statistically significant . Because of this , employers should consider providing support for employees who are victims of stalking as well as liaising with criminal justice agencies for safety planning workshops . Agencies should identify cases of stalking and work to implement early intervention programs . Education of victims regarding their legal rights and the use of restraining orders should also be encouraged .
Finally , the authors suggested the NVDRS expand the data that is collected in these cases regarding stalkers including mental health , substance abuse , and the separation status between the stalker and the victim .
Rai , Abha Tatiana Villarreal-Otálora , Julianne Blackburn , Y . Joon Choi , “ Correlates of Intimate Partner Stalking Precipitated homicides in the United States ”, Journal of Family Violence ( 2002 ), Volume 35 , pp . 705-715 .