Addressing intimate partner stalking in Pacific contexts: A critical review of the literature
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Authors
Sang-Yum, Genevieve
Gremillion, Helen
Gremillion, Helen
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2025-12
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Conference Contribution - Oral Presentation
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Keyword
Aotearoa
New Zealand
Pasifika people in New Zealand
Pasifika women and domestic violence
stalking
intimate partner violence
domestic violence
partner violence
literature reviews
Nga vaka o kaiga tapu
Pasifika
New Zealand
Pasifika people in New Zealand
Pasifika women and domestic violence
stalking
intimate partner violence
domestic violence
partner violence
literature reviews
Nga vaka o kaiga tapu
Pasifika
ANZSRC Field of Research Code (2020)
Citation
Sang-Yum, G., & Gremillion, H. (2025, December, 1-5). Addressing intimate partner stalking in Pacific contexts: A critical review of the literature [Paper presentation]. ITP Rangahau & Research Symposium 2025 + OPSITARA 2025, New Zealand
https://hdl.handle.net/10652/7129
Abstract
This presentation reports on a critical review of literature examining social work approaches to intimate partner stalking within Pacific families in Aotearoa, identifying key themes as well as gaps in both the evidence presented and the interventions utilised. Intimate partner stalking is a serious form of coercive control and a major predictor of escalating harm or homicide in family violence cases. In mainstream family violence research, stalking behaviours are well-documented and associated with high risk. However, a comprehensive review of available literature reveals that stalking is rarely examined as a distinct behaviour within Pacific family contexts. Actions such as persistent calling, constant messaging, following a partner, or showing up unannounced are often normalised as showing ‘care,’ ‘jealousy,’ or ‘family duty.’ Social workers who engage with Pacific families often rely on generic family violence risk assessment tools that do not capture these cultural nuances. As a result, stalking behaviours can be misread or underestimated and thus underreported and unaddressed. The presentation highlights the paucity of culturally responsive approaches to identifying and challenging stalking behaviours. The gaps in both knowledge and practice uncovered pose significant risks to victim safety and can lead to culturally inappropriate interventions. The literature review is the first stage of a larger project aiming to develop a culturally responsive social work model for addressing this critical issue for family violence prevention, one that integrates Pacific cultural values and effective forms of community engagement and support.
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