Stalking

What is Stalking?

Stalking is a crime of power and control which can have a devastating impact on victims

The Police and Crown Prosecution Service have adopted the description;

"a pattern of unwanted, fixated and obsessive behaviour which is intrusive. It can include harassment that amounts to stalking, or stalking that causes fear of violence or serious alarm or distress."

Stalking can include a range of behaviours, not all of which are criminal in isolation. If the behaviour is persistent and clearly unwanted, causing fear, distress or anxiety then it is stalking.

Stalking or Harassment?

Harassment

is unwanted behaviour which you find offensive or which makes you feel intimidated or humiliated
tends to focus on a dispute rather than a fixation with a person

Stalking

A pattern of unwanted, fixated and obsessive behaviour which is intrusive and causes fear of violence or serious alarm or distress
Stalking focuses on a person rather than a dispute

Example Stalking Behaviours

A range of behaviours constitute stalking

Following a person
Contacting, or attempting to contact, a person
Publishing statements or material about the victim
Monitoring the victim including online
Loitering
Interfering with property
Watching or spying on a person
Regularly sending unwanted gifts

F.O.U.R

Consider the stalking mnemonic F.O.U.R. Are the behaviours;

Fixated
Obsessive
Unwanted
Repeated

Who does it affect?

Over half of all victims have not been in a relationship with the person who is stalking them
The impact of the behaviour can have a devastating effect
Victims may make changes to their routines
Friends or family members may also be affected

Stalking useful links and resources

National services

Suzy Lamplugh https://www.suzylamplugh.org/

Paladin https://paladinservice.co.uk/

Alice Ruggles https://www.alicerugglestrust.org/

This video tells the story of Alice Ruggles

Local service

GM Victim Services http://www.gmvictims.org.uk/