The Relationship Between Men’s Persistent Stalking and Harassment Behaviors in Domestic Violence Against Women: Case Report

Year 2024, Volume: 5 Issue: 3, 124 - 127, 31.07.2024

Birgül Tüzün , Duygu Buğa , Ersi Kalfoğlu

Abstract

In the case presented, the aim is to discuss the causes of men's
persistent stalking and harassment behaviors and the precautions that can be taken, as well as what should be done
in terms of protecting women, ensuring their safety and the
legal aspect. It is emphasized that the men's persistent stalking
and harassment behaviors can escalate into domestic violence
against women within a certain period. The case involves a
43-year-old woman seeking divorce from her 41-year-old
husband, where persistent stalking behaviors escalated into
domestic violence. The men's actions, starting from the dating period, included following the woman, waiting outside
her home, and workplace harassment. Despite the woman
perceiving these behaviors as love, the marriage resulted in
physical, mental, and verbal abuse, leading to her job loss.
Despite obtaining a protection order and filing for divorce,
the men's stalking and harassment behaviors continued for
eight years. In light of such cases, it is evident that forensic
medical evaluation and psychiatric follow-up are crucial for
effective treatment. Equally important is the need for reporting and documenting instances of violence against women.
Furthermore, recognizing the persistence of stalking behavior
as a crime in legal regulations is imperative. It is suggested
that making such incidents public should not solely rely on
the woman's complaint; instead, it should be addressed within the framework of legal regulations pertaining to persistent
stalking behaviors. This comprehensive approach ensures a
more robust and proactive response to the complex dynamics involved in cases of stalking and domestic violence against
women.

Keywords

Stalking, domestic violence, trauma, medicolegal report, forensic medicine.

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