CAPS-project | Faculty of Social Sciences

Conclusion of the research project: A Keynote Series on Children and Post-Separation Stalking

Post-separation stalking as a form of domestic violence and abuse challenges families, professionals working with them, and societal structures and processes. Our understanding of stalking as violence has advanced along with the public debate, but especially the position of children and young people is still overlooked in situations where one parent stalks the other.

In a project funded by the Academy of Finland, we have studied children and young people who have experienced stalking after their parents’ separation. Through the study, the researchers have narrated stalking from the viewpoint of children and endeavoured to show where people still fail to recognise and understand children’s experiences, knowledge and agency.

As the project drew to an end, we invited prominent researchers of violence against children to contemplate children’s position and rights in the intricate situations of stalking. Through their videoed presentations, Professors Maria Eriksson and Nicky Stanley and Associate Professors Emma Katz and Molly Dragiewicz open up different perspectives on the phenomenon. The presentations have drawn inspiration from Alina Korotovskaia’s comic strips that capture some of the core findings of our study. Through the comic strips and their own research backgrounds, the speakers bring out views on violence against children that they consider important and meaningful.

The presentations can be used freely for instance in instruction in the fields of social and health services, education and law.

To support the work of professionals, some of the project’s core research publications and related literature have been compiled below the video clips. The texts can be used as backup for the presentations.

Come and hear what it’s all about!

Emma Katz - Coercive control

In her presentation, Associate Professor Emma Katz outlines the mechanisms of coercive control and parental stalking, particularly children’s experiences of them. To make sure that children will get help, it is essential to first recognise and understand children’s experiences and their negative effects.

In case the video doesn't play, you can watch it here>>

Molly Dragiewicz - How Children Are Involved in Technology-Facilitated Coercive Control

Associate Professor Molly Dragiewicz looks into the role of technology in coercive control and post-separation stalking. She shows how abusive behavior can be conducted through children and their devices especially in cases of post-separation parenting.

In case the video doesn't play, you can watch it here>>

Maria Eriksson - Children’s Agency in the Context of Intimate Partner Violence: Everyday life and recovery post-separation

Professor Maria Eriksson investigates children’s daily life and construction of agency in connection with intimate partner violence. The presentation relates particularly to children’s coping, inclusion and role in post-separation situations of violence and stalking and in the service system.

In case the video doesn't play, you can watch it here>>

Nicky Stanley - Strenghtening the Professional Response to Children Living with Domestic Violence and Abuse and Stalking

Professor Nicky Stanley looks into the responses of different professionals to children living with domestic violence and abuse. She pays attention especially to the role of police, teachers in schools and family doctors who are in frontline encountering children’s experiences.

In case the video doesn't play, you can watch it here>>

Keynote speakers

Maria Eriksson

Professor of Social Work (Marie Cederschiöld University)

Professor Maria Eriksson explores the ways in which different forms of inequality affect policy and practice as regards parenthood and children’s rights. Her previous work includes a project on how the Swedish framework for the assessment of children’s needs ”BBIC – Barns Behov I Centrum” [Children’s needs in the centre] is used in cases of intimate partner violence, and a project developing the assessment of risks and safety when children are exposed to or subjected to violence in their family.

Nicky Stanley

Professor of Social Work (University of Central Lancashire)

Nicky Stanley has led numerous international and national research studies on children’s and families’ experience of domestic abuse and the service response. She publishes widely and has produced books on domestic violence and child protection, health and social care inquiries and mothers’ mental health needs. She has also widely contributed to national guidelines and policy on domestic violence.

Emma Katz

Associate Professor in Sociology (Durham University)

Dr Emma Katz is widely regarded as the world's leading academic expert on how coercive control - a severe form of domestic abuse - impacts on children and young people. She researches the impacts of domestic violence and abuse on children and young people, exploring coercive control, agency, resistance, recovery and mother-child supportiveness in domestic abuse contexts.

Molly Dragiewicz

Associate Professor in Criminology and Criminal Justice (Griffith University)

Molly Dragiewicz is an internationally award-winning criminologist who studies violence, gender, and technology. She was the first person to conduct study of women’s experiences of technology-facilitated coercive control and the study on the ways children are involved in technology abuse. She is highly involved in interdisciplinary, collaborative research with community organisations working to end violence against women.

Key Research Reports