STOP - Stalking, Threat and Opression Prevention

Stalking, being subjected to persistent and unwanted pursuit, has been highlighted in the media and in the literature for several decades, most often in cases involving public figures. However, stalking is far more common in situations where there is an existing relationship between the stalker and the victim, such as an ex-intimate partner, a colleague, a neighbor, or an acquaintance. In many cases, stalkers can be stopped early on, before the behavior escalates into more intense stalking. This makes it crucial to identify potential stalkers at an early stage. By detecting these individuals and intervening promptly, the long-term harm of victims can often be prevented.

Within the research group STOP, we study stalking as well as various forms of threats and oppression and how to prevent such violent behavior. This includes threats against public figures, intimate partner violence, and honor-related violence and oppression. The aim of the research is to shed light on and investigate how psychological violence is connected to physical violence—and how both can be prevented.

These areas share many points of intersection, creating opportunities for research synergies. In our research on stalking and intimate partner violence, we examine both physical and psychological violence to improve the effect of preventive strategies. We conduct research on risk assessment and risk management across different forms of violence and in various contexts, with applied criminology as our academic base. Much of this research is carried out in close collaboration with the police, including evaluations of police methods for assessing and managing risks faced by victims. Research has shown that structured checklists are an effective tool for helping police prioritize cases where protective measures are needed. Our work also includes a specific focus on victimization in rural and remote areas.

Key research areas of particular interest to us include:

• Prevalence of such violence in different settings
• Typologies of perpetrators and victims
• Methods for risk assessment and management