Dr Piotr Misztal, in cooperation with HBO Max, has prepared an extensive series of educational materials dedicated to the phenomenon of stalking. As part of his podcast, "Świadek ze słyszenia" he has created a series of episodes discussing the issue of stalking from the perspective of victims and experts. He explains the mechanisms of the phenomenon, its psychological and legal consequences, and demonstrates how to recognise the first signs of danger. The project is informative and preventative – its goal is to raise awareness that stalking is not a manifestation of interest or love, but a form of violence that can lead to tragic consequences.
From the very beginning, I wanted to present the phenomenon of stalking from the broadest possible perspective – both from the perspective of the victim and the professional participants in the proceedings, particularly the attorney and prosecutor. Stalking isn't just a legal issue, so the project included interviews with psychologists, psychiatrists and sexologists. It's a real phenomenon in society that needs to be discussed openly.
The project serves as a "knowledge pill" for individuals experiencing persistent harassment, while also providing practical guidance for law enforcement agencies. Another important goal is to sensitise these agencies to the specific nature of this crime and the need to prevent repeat victimisation. At the same time, I strive to debunk the false beliefs and myths that have arisen around Article 190a of the Penal Code over the past dozen or so years.
I believe that popularising scientific knowledge in the academic profession is not only a duty, but above all a special privilege. It offers a real opportunity to reach beyond the walls of the university and reach those who need it most with reliable, experience-based knowledge – victims and practitioners who deal with criminal law on a daily basis. I am convinced that only such a multifaceted approach to stalking allows not only for a better understanding of it but also for more effective countermeasures
– says Dr Piotr Misztal.
In December, the Max platform, together with the ITAKA Foundation, ran the "Stalking Stop!" social campaign. It accompanied the premiere of the documentary series "Zabić Miss" which tells the dramatic story of Agnieszka Kotlarska, a model and Miss Poland who was killed by a stalker. The campaign used real-life events to demonstrate how dangerous it can be to ignore signs of harassment and how important it is to respond to them early.
Guests of the "Świadek ze słyszenia" podcast include:
- Ewa Wilczyńska who is the co-writer of the documentary series “Zabić Miss”
- Maciej Bieliński who is the director of the documentary series “Zabić Miss”
- Aneta Bańkowska who is a psychologist and a sexologist at the "ITAKA" Foundation
- Katarzyna Dacyszyn who is a stalker victim, STOP-STALKING activist and the author of the book “Kobieta z blizną”
- Dr Krystyna Patora who is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Criminal Law, University of Lodz, and a prosecutor at the Regional Prosecutor's Office in Lodz
- Bartosz Tiutiunik who is an attorney, the Vice President of the Supreme Bar Council
- Dr n. med. Maciej Klimarczyk who is a psychiatrist and a sexologist
Both initiatives, i.e. the educational series and the social campaign, convey a consistent message: stalking is a serious crime that requires awareness, vigilance and knowledge of available support. These initiatives emphasise that people experiencing stalking are not helpless – they can access support from organisations, institutions and legal tools designed to protect them.
The "Świadek ze słyszenia" podcast is available on YouTube and Spotify.
BIOGRAPHY
Dr Piotr Misztal is an attorney and an Assistant Professor at the Department of Criminal Law and Criminalistics at the University of Lodz. He also works as a legal expert at the Office of the Commissioner for Human Rights, where he reviews cassation appeals and extraordinary appeals in criminal cases. He is an author of numerous publications on criminal procedural law. The podcast "Świadek ze słyszenia" can be found on YouTube, Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
Source and photos: Daniel Maliński (Faculty of Law and Administration, University of Lodz)
