ÌǹûÅɶÔ

A new study from the University of Southern Denmark (ÌǹûÅɶÔ) and the Danish Stalking Centre reveals that stalking is a challenging crime for both victims and authorities. Researchers are calling for closer collaboration and increased knowledge to enhance efforts.

Stalking affects up to 8.9% of Danes during their lifetime and can have severe consequences for the victim’s mental health and safety. Many experience anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress, while others have to change their daily routines or even move to protect themselves from the stalker. Additionally, many victims feel isolated from their social networks and live in constant fear.

– Stalking is a complex crime to handle, and it is difficult for both citizens and authorities to navigate. Supporting victims and dealing with cases properly requires both empathy and knowledge, explains Didde Hauch, a PhD student at The National Centre of  Psychotraumatology, Department of Psychology, ÌǹûÅɶÔ.

She is behind the study, which is based on responses from stalking victims who have been in contact with the Danish Stalking Centre.

Victims’ experiences and the role of the police

According to the study, many victims of stalking are dissatisfied with how the police handle their cases. Among the biggest barriers to contacting the police are fear of escalation (35%) and low confidence in the police’s ability to help (31%).

– Victims of stalking often feel that their situation is not taken seriously or that the police lack the proper tools to help, says Didde Hauch, highlighting the need for a more professional approach to these complex cases.

Dissatisfaction among stalking victims (47.9%) is on par with that of rape victims, who in a 2020 study reported a 47% dissatisfaction rate with police handling of their cases. Both groups point to similar problems, such as a lack of understanding and support from the police, even though stalking is now legally recognised as a criminal offence. This underscores the need for further measures to improve the police’s ability to handle these cases. The study also shows that victims of stalking by acquaintances or strangers have a more positive experience of police knowledge and support compared to those stalked by a former intimate partner.

– This suggests that the police find handling ex-partner stalking particularly challenging, says Didde Hauch.

She explains that the boundary between conflict and stalking can be blurred when the individuals involved have previously been in a relationship. For example, there are cases where ex-partners accuse each other of things that are either exaggerated or entirely unfounded, which complicates the police’s work.

Need for more police training

Didde Hauch’s study also highlights that the psychological consequences of stalking are often underestimated, as both the police and legislation have traditionally focused more on physical harm. This emphasises the need to train police officers in recognising and handling the psychological trauma experienced by stalking victims.

The study also reveals regional differences in police efforts. In North Jutland, victims more frequently report violence and threats, while stalking through public authorities is more prevalent among victims in the Zealand Region.

The police in Southern Jutland receive lower ratings when it comes to providing guidance and support.

– These regional differences may be due to variations in police training and resources, which can further impact victims’ experiences. But they may also be linked to how often stalking cases are handled. The more frequently police officers encounter and deal with stalking cases, the better they become at identifying and managing them. In less populated areas, there will statistically be fewer stalking cases, meaning that police officers come into contact with them less frequently, explains Didde Hauch.

More knowledge and collaboration is requested

Although Denmark criminalised stalking in 2022 with the introduction of a stalking provision and has established specialised police units, Didde Hauch believes there is still room for improvement.

She recommends, among other things, that police receive further training in recognising stalking patterns and have better opportunities to collaborate with municipal authorities and the Danish Stalking Centre.

– We already experience a really good collaboration with the police, who show great interest in becoming better equipped to handle stalking. The findings should therefore not be seen as criticism but as a call to action, emphasises Didde Hauch.

Knowledge must reach victims

Rikke Nue Møller, Director of the Danish Stalking Centre, also highlights the importance of spreading knowledge about stalking so that victims know where to seek help.

– For us at the Danish Stalking Centre, it is crucial to raise awareness of the form of violence that is stalking so that we can help victims when they, for example, approach the police. It takes time for new knowledge to spread in large organisations, but we work closely with the police through various forums such as network meetings, training in specialised teams, and more.

However, she also finds it concerning when stalking victims choose not to contact the police.

– As a victim of violence, you need to know your rights and where to get help. Raising awareness about this is something we continually work on at the Danish Stalking Centre.

Even with increased efforts to raise awareness, it may take time before the full effects of the stalking provision and specialised police units become apparent.

– Our data provide insight into the frustrations many stalking victims experience, but it is important to emphasise that we are still in a transitional phase. The stalking provision was introduced in 2022, and future data may show a more positive development, says Didde Hauch.

– At the same time, it is relevant to consider that users of the Danish Stalking Centre may specifically seek out the centre because they have faced challenges in their interactions with the police.

Didde Hauch points to international models for inspiration. In the Netherlands, specialised tools have been introduced that have improved police handling of stalking.

She concludes:
-There is much to learn from countries like the Netherlands. With the right efforts, we can ensure better support for the many people affected by stalking.