O stalking como prática de controle sobre mulheres

Abstract

This study aims to understand stalking as a social practice of control shaped by gender relations and power dynamics. It is a qualitative, exploratory, and descriptive research developed through an integrative literature review based on national and international scientific databases. The findings indicate that stalking predominantly affects women, especially within intimate relationship contexts, being characterized as a persistent practice of surveillance, invasion of privacy, and control over female autonomy. Psychosocial impacts identified include anxiety, constant fear, hypervigilance, social isolation, and significant changes in victims’ daily routines. Furthermore, cyberstalking intensifies these forms of violence by enabling continuous digital monitoring. The analysis also demonstrates that the romanticization of stalking behaviors and institutional limitations in recognizing this type of violence hinder the effectiveness of protective measures. It is concluded that stalking cannot be understood merely as an individual behavior, but rather as a social phenomenon sustained by structural gender inequalities, requiring interdisciplinary approaches and public policies aimed at protecting women’s autonomy and mental health.