Stalking in the Philippines: A Literature Review
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.69569/jip.2026.344Keywords:
Cyberstalking, Female victimization, Systematic Literature Review, PhilippinesAbstract
Women are disproportionately affected by stalking, a form of gender-based violence that often results in severe psychological, emotional, and social consequences, yet limited evidence exists regarding its nature and impact in the Philippines. This study systematically reviewed the existing literature to synthesize evidence on the forms of stalking, the lived experiences of women survivors, and the impacts of stalking within the Philippine context. To collect the latest data on stalking behaviors, victim experiences, effects, and intervention measures in the Philippines, this study, entitled Female Stalking in the Philippines: A Systematic Literature Review Using the PRISMA 2020 Framework, conducted a systematic review of global studies on female victimization. The search process initially identified forty-four (44) records from multiple academic databases and other relevant sources. Eleven pertinent studies written between 2015 and 2025 were analyzed using thematic-descriptive analysis based on the PRISMA 2020 guidelines. These eleven (11) studies met all the eligibility requirements and quality standards and were included in the final thematic synthesis. Three core themes that have been found include types of stalking, including intimate partner stalking and gender-based violence; the impact of stalking, including the psychological, emotional, social, and structural ramifications; and consequences of stalking, including technologically mediated stalking and stalking in public spaces. By considering the concepts of attachment theory and resilience theory, this literature review focuses on the lasting trauma that female victims experience because of stalking and their adaptive strategies in coping with the negative effects. The findings underscore the importance of strengthening anti-stalking policies, expanding victim support services, and promoting public awareness. Future research should investigate diverse populations and assess the effectiveness of intervention and prevention strategies.
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