Release of findings from Family Violence Death Review data related to stalking, 2020-2024
Please note, this webpage and the content linked to below contain potentially distressing information relating to homicide events, so please take care when reading.
In October, the Family Violence Subject Matter Experts (FV SMEs) released a paper summarising findings from death review data relating to stalking. The paper was released on behalf of the National Mortality Review Committee and looks at intimate partner and child abuse and neglect homicides from January 2020 to June 2024.
It draws from a number of cases to highlight the different ways stalking can occur, describing common themes and stalking behaviours from the data. For example:
- non-compliance with protection orders/bail conditions
- use of children as a form of stalking or control
- use of many different forms of behaviour – such as physical stalking, property damage, harrassment
- inadequate responses to people seeking help
- threats to kill.
Each theme is accompanied by some reflective questions for those in the practice setting, to consider how responses to those experiencing stalking might be improved.
This work was originally undertaken to help inform the development of new stalking legislation and the information is now being made more widely accessible.
The paper contributes to a wider understanding of what stalking might look like and how it can impact victims and their wider family or whānau. In doing so, it may be possible to develop better responses to people affected by and perpetrating stalking behaviours, in order to minimise further harm.
Kiri Matiatos (Principal Advisor, Family Violence Mortality Review) and Dr. Nicola Atwool (FV SME Chair) presented the findings at an Evidence to Practice session, run by Te Puna Aonui on October 30. You can watch the recording at the link below.