Stalking as a Mechanism of Coercive Control in Intimate Partner Violence: An Escalation Pattern Analysis

Stalking represents one of the most intrusive and psychologically destructive manifestations of intimate partner violence (IPV). Rather than constituting a mere sequence of unwanted contacts, stalking functions as a mechanism of coercive control that perpetuates fear and dominance beyond relationship dissolution. Although awareness of coercive control is increasing, stalking is frequently addressed as an isolated offense instead of a patterned behavioral process that may escalate to serious harm or lethality. This article utilizes the empirically informed Escalation Pattern Analysis (EPA) framework to conceptualize stalking as a dynamic trajectory of abuse. The EPA framework defines escalation along three measurable axes: Frequency, Intensity, and Inhibitory Decline, which capture the compression of repeated behaviors in time, the increase in intrusiveness, and the reduction in self-restraint. By synthesizing peer-reviewed research published between 2018 and 2025, this analysis demonstrates that intimate partner stalking exhibits identifiable patterns of compulsion and control across physical, digital, and psychological domains. EPA builds upon existing coercive-control and danger-assessment models by introducing behavioral metrics that facilitate earlier recognition of escalation. Conceptualizing stalking through the EPA framework advances theoretical understanding of IPV trajectories and provides practitioners with a structured method for assessing behavioral change, enabling timely intervention, and strengthening multi-agency safeguarding to prevent lethal outcomes.