Do you know the signs of stalking?
Date Added: 25/04/2022
Victims don’t report until the 100th incident, on average
This week is Stalking Awareness Week. With victims of stalking not reporting their concerns until the 100th incident, on average*, we are raising awareness of the signs of stalking to empower anyone experiencing it to report it.
Stalking is ‘a pattern of unwanted, fixated and obsessive behaviour which is intrusive and causes fear of violence or serious alarm or distress’. Although it includes following, watching or spying on someone, it also includes:
• sending unwanted or malicious communications
• regularly sending unwanted gifts or flowers
• monitoring someone’s internet use, email or other electronic communication
• interfering with or damaging property or possessions
Is someone’s behaviour persistent and unwanted? Or causing you to feel fear, distress or anxiety? Then it is stalking.
Am I being stalked?
The Suzy Lamplugh Trust website has a tool to allow you to take an assessment to find out whether what you’re experiencing is stalking. Take the assessment here.
It is important survivors of domestic abuse who are receiving unwanted texts and calls from their ex-partner report their concerns. To report stalking, call 101 and tell the call handler ‘I am being stalked’. If you’re in immediate danger or your life is at risk, call 999.
Protection Against Stalking has some advice on their website about what to do if you are being stalked, including keeping a record of communications with as much detail as possible. Find out more here.
If you think you’re being stalked, don’t confront or engage with your stalker.
Where can I find out more?
There is more information about stalking and harassment on the Bedfordshire Domestic Abuse Partnership (BDAP) website.
You can call the National Stalking Helpline on 0808 802 0300. The helpline is open from 9.30am – 4pm every weekday apart from Wednesdays, when it is open from 9.30am until 8pm. The Helpline is not open on weekends or bank holidays. More information about the helpline is available on the Suzy Lamplugh Trust website.
*(Sheridan, 2005)