What is stalking?
Stalking involves a person becomes fixated or obsessed with another.
Stalking is a pattern of persistent and unwanted attention that makes you feel pestered, scared, anxious or harassed. Some examples of stalking are:
- Regularly giving unwanted gifts
- Making unwanted communication
- Damaging property
- Repeatedly following you or spying on you
- Threats
Taken in isolation, some of the behaviours may seem like small acts, but together they make up a consistent pattern of behaviour that is frightening and upsetting. It’s important to know that stalking is a criminal offence and because of this, if you go to the police they will take it seriously.
Useful help and advice
Paladin, the National Stalking Advisory Service has the following advice:
- Trust yourself and your instincts
- Report it as early as possible to the police and tell others what is happening
- Get advice from Paladin or the Suzy Lamplugh Trust
- Keep evidence of what’s happening, try writing a diary
If you need help:
- Call the National Stalking Helpline on 0808 802 0300 run by Suzy Lamplugh Trust
- Call Paladin, the National Stalking Advisory Service on 020 3866 4107
