The relationship between stalking, homicide, and coercive control in an Australian population

Abstract

Stalking-precipitated homicide is a recognized phenomenon with devastating consequences, yet there is no literature identifying its population-level prevalence. This study examined all homicide-related deaths between 1997 and 2015 (n = 855) that were reported by a court in the Australian state of Victoria. Three aims were addressed: (1) to identify how often homicide is precipitated by stalking, (2) to describe characteristics of cases of stalking-precipitated homicide and explore differences between cases involving ex-partners and other relationships, and (3) to investigate the association between stalking and coercive control in homicide cases involving a current or former partner. Data were extracted from three state- and national-level databases. Stalking was clearly present in 6.41% (n = 54) of all homicide-related deaths and 63.41% (n = 26) of Ex-Partner homicides. Both ex-partner and other homicide offenders were mostly male (93.10%/96.15%), and nearly half (44.83%/46.15%) were born outside Australia. Evidence of planning, a trigger event, and last-resort thinking were found in most stalking precipitated homicides (67.31%–88.37%). Evidence of previous coercive control was present in 30.77% (n = 8) of ex-partner stalking precipitated homicides compared to 12.50% (n = 2) ex-partner homicides without stalking and 21.93% (n = 25) of current partner homicides.