There is a strong correlation between some key stalking behaviours and homicide, according to a six-month study by the Homicide Research Group at the University of Gloucestershire. Identifying the intention behind the stalking, and then managing the fixation, may reveal opportunities to save lives, the researchers suggest. Research into more than 350 cases of criminal homicide highlighted:
– Stalking behaviours were present in 94pc of the cases
– Surveillance activity, including covert watching, was recorded in 63pc of the cases (estimated to be much higher in reality as the victim is unaware)
– Escalation of concerning behaviours was identified in 79pc of the cases
– Control was recorded in 92pc of the cases
– Isolation of the victim was recorded in 78pc of cases
– Acknowledged high risk action markers were present across the sample. For example: strangulation assault 24pc, threats to kill 55pc, suicidal threats 23pc (estimate the presence of these markers could be much higher due to under-reporting).
– Diverse activities like court actions were not recognised as stalking.
– Coercive control and stalking were more often simultaneously present where there has been an intimate partner relationship. This type of relationship formed 71pc of the study sample.
– Threats to kill occurred in 55pc of cases, and in some cases the threat was articulated to third parties as well as the victim; and
– 85pc of homicides occurred in the victim’s home.
The lead researcher, Dr Jane Monckton Smith, a former police officer, is now a senior lecturer in criminology at University of Gloucestershire. She found that in almost every case the killer displayed the obsessive, fixated behaviour associated with stalking. The academic, with the Suzy Lamplugh Trust, the UK personal safety charity, has called on the professionals across the criminal justice system to review their approach to assessing risk, so that victims of stalking can be offered greater protection.
Dr Monckton Smith said: “Practically every case we looked at featured examples of the obsessive, fixated behaviour that typifies stalking. Sadly, it is too late for the women and children that formed part of our research so we need to do justice to their memory by acting earlier, when stalkers are demonstrating these behaviours, rather than waiting for the escalation, which can have such profound and tragic results. Understanding the motivation behind these behaviours, and the risk that they present, is profoundly important.”
Suzy Lamplugh Trust runs the National Stalking Helpline and argues that the police and CPS fail to consider stalking as part of a wider threat because they are instead too focused on the incident reported. The trust, a charity, believes that it is very important that these behaviours are recognised by the courts as being indicators of a broader problem and pattern of behaviour. Rachel Griffin, Chief Executive at the Suzy Lamplugh Trust said: “Stalking is an obsession which can increase in risk and severity and needs to be addressed under an early intervention model. Acting on what are currently considered to be minor, unrelated incidents, but which are driven by a malicious intent which could later put the victim at great risk, could help to save lives.”
Stalking is often motivated by a need to assert control or to have a presence in someone’s life against their wishes, the researchers suggest. This type of behaviour could present itself in acts as simple as rearranging a victim’s garden furniture, sending unwanted gifts, loitering on the pavement outside their house, or calling social services to maliciously report ‘poor’ parenting. Despite not presenting an immediate physical risk, it is behaviours like these that were found frequently in Dr Monckton Smith’s research, which demonstrate a fixation, and should raise a flag with whoever is investigating.
Supt Simon Atkinson from the Public Protection Bureau at Gloucestershire Police Constabulary said: “Stalking is estimated to affect one in five women and one in 12 men during their lifetime in the UK. We know that stalking is still significantly under-reported and there is a need to ensure all services can identify and respond effectively to stalking to protect people and improve public confidence. As part of this whole system approach we see the stalking clinic best practice model as a vital element to early identification and intervention and are working closely with the Hollie Gazzard Trust in Gloucestershire to make that happen.”
For the research paper visit the Suzy Lamplugh Trust website.
