Intimate Partner Homicides After Break-Ups: Stalking and Prevention Approaches

On average, the police in Germany record at least one attempted or completed homicide involving partners or ex-partners every day. A significant proportion of these crimes occur in the context of, or following, a break-up. International studies highlight the high prevalence of stalking in the lead-up to intimate partner homicides, though they often do not distinguish between cases within ongoing relationships and those that occur post-separation. This study explores the extent, forms, and circumstances under which individuals who kill (or attempt to kill) their intimate partners after a break-up engage in prior stalking behaviour. Using a file-based analysis of post-separation homicides, the research examines the patterns of stalking leading up to these crimes, as well as the demographic, situational, and behavioural characteristics of the perpetrators.