The Impact of Intimate Partner Stalking on Women Targets: A Narrative Inquiry Analysis.

Abstract

Over the past decade, research on intimate partner stalking has been expanding. The vast majority of these studies have utilized quantitative methods to investigate the impacts of partner stalking on victims. The few qualitative studies that have been conducted were based on an American sample and did not examine women’s experiences with the criminal justice system or various other service providers (e.g., Melton, 2007b). Logan and Walker (2009) call for future research to utilize narrative inquiry methodology in order to expand on previous findings. As such, the purpose of the current study was to collect stories and experiences from women targets of male perpetrated intimate partner stalking within the Regina, Saskatchewan, area. This community-based research built on a previous study conducted by Family Service Regina’s Domestic Violence Unit, which was funded by a Prairie Action Foundation CARE Grant, designed to inform police, justice, and front line service providers about the impacts of stalking. Data collection and analyses were guided by narrative inquiry methodology as recommended by Lieblich, Tuval-Mashiach and Zilber (1998). This methodology was the most appropriate approach for the given research questions as I aimed to hear stories from the viewpoint of participants. Findings from the current study provide further information on the immediate and residual effects of intimate partner stalking. Although previous research has been conducted in this area, to date no research has utilized narrative inquiry methodology with a diverse Canadian sample of women to examine the impacts of partner stalking. Likewise, no studies to date have employed qualitative methods to examine women targets’ experiences with Canadian police and justice services.