Anna Nikupeteri

Children's everyday lives shadowed by stalking: postseparation stalking narratives of Finnish children and women

This qualitative study discusses postseparation stalking and its implications in children’s everyday lives. Based on narratives of 13 Finnish children and 20 women, the research fills a gap in the knowledge regarding the psychosocial, emotional, and physical impacts of stalking on children when their mothers are stalked by a former partner. It identifies four forms of impact: (a) an atmosphere of fear and feelings of insecurity; (b) disguised acts of stalking and the father’s performance of care, love, and longing; (c) exploitation of children in stalking; and (d) physical abuse, acts of violence, and threats of death. The findings indicate that stalking severely constrains children’s everyday lives and strengthens, yet often distorts, the mother–child bond. The study concludes that in cases where mothers are stalked, professionals in the social and health services, law enforcement, and criminal justice should view the children, too, as victims and construct supportive social relationships for women and children facing threatening life situations.

Professionals’ critical positionings of women as help-seekers: Finnish women’s narratives of help-seeking during post-separation stalking:

The study explores how women victims of post-separation stalking perceive the positions ascribed to them in the help-seeking process by social workers and other professionals. Applying positioning theory, the research identifies ‘critical’ positionings, namely, those hindering the women in seeking help. The ultimate aim of the inquiry is to inform professional practices by identifying how professionals position victims of stalking and the risks of misinterpretation this process entails. The data comprise narratives of 15 Finnish female victims of stalking, who were interviewed either individually or together with a professional (social worker, shelter worker or therapist) who had worked with them. A total of five such professionals participated in conducting the interviews. The analysis of the women’s perceptions posits four critical positionings: Professionals viewed them as (1) alienating parents, (2) unprotective mothers, (3) overcautious women and/or (4) implausible victims. These determinations are seen as rooted in considerations of morality, accountability, rationality and agency. The findings indicate that the complex nature of stalking, women’s reactions to it and the ambivalent appearance of their strategies for dealing with stalking may pose obstacles to professionals in positioning them as help-seekers. This in turn may hinder women in their efforts to receive adequate help or even victimise them further. The study highlights that client–professional interaction in the context of post-separation stalking needs to be more victim-sensitive. It suggests that when analysing women’s situations and providing help, professionals should be more mindful of women’s own understandings and valorise their sensitive experiences.

Stalked lives: Finnish women’s emotional experiences of post-separation stalking

Abstract This qualitative study analyses and discusses the emotional experiences of Finnish women stalked by their male ex-partners. In elucidating the phenomenon, the research informs efforts to help women in such circumstances. The study draws on interviews with 15 stalking victims and five professionals who have worked with them. It identifies two categories illuminating the nature of the women’s emotional experiences: the emotional web of stalking and the spectre of stalking. The former describes the place- and time-related emotions that tie together the discrete acts and past and potential violent experiences of being stalked; the latter captures the state of being stalked – the social reality in which the women live – created by the emotions stalking evokes and their impact on the victim’s social relations and social environment. Taken together, the two categories encompass the salience of a woman’s earlier relationship with the stalker, her social relationships, the socio-cultural context and the unpredictable nature of stalking, including violent and non-violent behaviour. Implications for social workers, as well as for other professionals working with stalking victims, are discussed. The findings highlight that women’s emotional experiences should be seen as authentic and be given full credence as statements of a need for help; doing so would avoid further risk to their lives.

Review: women's experiences of perpetrating family violence : a qualitative study

The reviewed study highlights an important perspective on family violence violence perpetrated by women. This perspective is still under-researched in Finland, although domestic violence is an acknowledged problem in the country and one compounded by inadequate and inconsistent services and interventions for victims as well as perpetrators (e.g. Husso et al., 2012). The reviewed study makes visible women’s experiences as perpetrators of family violence, such as losing their sense of self, acknowledging behaviour harmful to others and facing challenges in obtaining help. The research prompts the reader to ponder the conflicted nature of womanhood in what are morally laden and emotionally challenging situations. It illustrates women’s complicated position, one encumbered by the broader taboo nature of femininity shaped by cultural and communal codes and norms (e.g. Hurtig, 2013). The reviewed study’s findings echo those of studies examining women who have been victims of different forms of intimate partner violence or whose children have been sexually abused by family members or relatives (e.g. Laitinen and Väyrynen, 2011; Nikupeteri, 2016). Whether a woman is perpetrator, victim or inadequate carer – due to her ignorance of violence in the family – cultural perceptions of gender identity and roles render her situation conflicted. Among other factors, women’s role as mothers figures crucially both where women are perpetrators and where they are victims. Society’s expectations of women and the responsibilities and duties it imputes to them often leave their agency unrealistic and burdensome in situations involving violence. One sees this easily reproduced in service encounters: professionals may place women into cultural categories and positions and overlook differences between individual clients. Women experience this pigeonholing as negatively affecting their emotions, actions and sense of self (Laitinen and Väyrynen, 2011). In this light, future research would do well to

42 Wounded integrities: finnish women’s and children’s experiences of post-separation stalking

Background In this study, we examined the under-researched area of Finnish women’s and children’s experiences of post-separation stalking to learn how they experience it in their everyday lives and the impact it has on their wellbeing. In particular, we looked at how post-separation stalking threatens women’s and children’s integrity and how it should be acknowledged in the prevention of stalking and the promotion of victims’ safety. Methods The data consist of narratives of 20 Finnish women and 13 children who were exposed to post-separation stalking. The women were interviewed individually. The data was collected from children through therapeutic group sessions, thematic interviews and one mother-and-child therapy session. Results Although women/mothers are the main targets of stalking, it also threatens children’s wellbeing. The latter are used to carry out stalking, as targets of revenge or as abused informants. The data analysis shows that stalking threatens women and children’s integrity socially, psychologically, emotionally, physically, ontologically and morally. As a consequence of these different dimensions of wounding, women’s and children’s safety and security are severely threatened. Wounded integrity reflects on victims’ identities, social relations and everyday activities and is visible in help-seeking processes. Wounded integrity takes on different meanings in the aspects of wellbeing, safety and security. Conclusions The findings highlight the need for professionals in social and health services, law enforcement and criminal justice to consider the different dimension of how stalking wounds women’s and children’s integrity. Taking these different dimensions of wounding into account will enable the implementation of more effective means to prevent post-separation stalking and promote victims’ safety, security and wellbeing.