Stalking

Suzy Lamplugh Trust defines stalking as ‘a pattern of repeated, unwanted behaviours that causes you to feel distressed or scared.’

Stalking can happen with or without a fear of violence. This means that if someone is receiving persistent unwanted contact that is causing distress but the person has never threatened them, this is still stalking and is not acceptable.

Anyone can become a victim of stalking regardless of their age, background, gender identity, sex, religion, sexual orientation or ethnicity.

Stalking can consist of any type of behaviour such as regularly sending flowers or gifts, making unwanted or malicious communication, damaging property and physical or sexual assault. If the behaviour is persistent and clearly unwanted, causing you fear, distress, or anxiety then it is stalking, and you should not have to live with it.

What to do if you are being stalked or someone you know.

Talk to someone

Tell them everything that has happened. There is nothing that seems small that should not be shared as all of the details are important.

For advice and information, you can call the National Stalking Helpline on 0808 802 0300.

To report incidents to the police, call 101, but if you ever feel in danger, call 999 immediately.

Record what is happening

Keep a log of any incidents and any evidence you may have. This log can help support services to better understand the pattern of behaviour and helps the police to see it is not an isolated incident. However, please remember you don’t need to have collected a log in order to report to the police – it can help make things clearer to you and them, but it is not required.

Be digitally aware

Ensure your devices have not been compromised, (those who stalk will go to extreme length to invade your privacy and find your location). If you’re concerned that your stalker had access to your phone or another device of yours, turn the device off immediately and seek professional advice

A couple of suggestions

Review your privacy settings on all social media, and ask friends and family to do the same
Change email, social media and bank account passwords regularly.
Regularly check your location access on your mobile phone; your location is easy to share with a contact or via an App.
Ask friends to not post photos or information of you or about your location online

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