ABSTRACT
Healthcare professionals offering treatment in stalking and/or domestic violence cases require two different approaches – one is based on traditional therapeutic interventions enlarged by offence-focused issues, and the other is ongoing risk assessment. The clinical needs for stalking and domestic violence are primarily defined by the fact that the goal of the clinical work is always directed towards the clients. Professional training and knowledge in domestic violence, including intimate partner violence, are essential. A clinician always faces two duties when completing an assessment in stalking and violent cases. One is the ongoing risk assessment per se; the other one is the duty to protect potential victims. Therapeutic interventions and psycho-educative training for victims help them overcome any ambivalent feelings and attitudes towards the offenders. Static risk factors for predicting future developments are: age, gender, origin, socio-economic background, educational level and own biographic experiences.
