Ex-Partner Stalking and Children

Book excerpt: PROVIDES AN AUTHORITATIVE OVERVIEW OF STALKING BEHAVIOR PERPETRATED BY PARENTS AND ITS IMPACTS ON CHILDREN Stalking targeted at one of the child’s parents by the other poses a major psychosocial and physical threat to children’s wellbeing and security. Although interdisciplinary research on stalking has expanded in recent decades, intimate partner/ex-partner stalking has been viewed as an “adults only” problem. Ex-Partner Stalking and Children brings together scholars and practitioners from different disciplines in the field to examine ex-partner stalking as a psychosocial and criminological issue in children’s and young people’s lives. Providing both theoretical and practical perspectives, this comprehensive volume explores approaches for increasing awareness of parental stalking, addressing its impacts on children and young people, and advancing interventions and methods of support for them. Throughout the text, the authors challenge existing conceptions of intimate partner/ex-partner stalking as a phenomenon that exists only between the partners, rather than a form of gendered violence that creates a victimizing environment for the children. A novel contribution to both scholarly and practical understandings of ex-partner stalking, this important book: Addresses a gap in knowledge on the socially, ethically, and legally challenging phenomenon of cases when one parent is stalking the other Offers insights and tools to help practitioners better recognize, support, and intervene in parental stalking situations involving children Examines research findings on stalking behavior, including psychological and trauma perspectives Discusses best practices and working methods, challenges in identifying the child’s experiences, and factors preventing children from receiving help Recommends future directions in promoting children’s and young people’s rights in ex-partner stalking Part of the acclaimed Psycho-Criminology of Crime, Mental Health, and the Law series, Ex-Partner Stalking and Children: The Impact on Children When One Parent is Stalking the Other is essential reading for undergraduate and graduate students in disciplines such as criminology, social work, healthcare, psychology, and education, and an invaluable resource for law enforcement staff, nurses, psychologists, therapists, social workers, teachers, and other professionals who work with victims of stalking.