Privacy, Stalking & Harassment Support
A lot of people think stalking is something that just happens to celebrities, but the reality is that it can happen to anyone.
If you’re experiencing persistent and unwanted attention, and the behaviour is making you feel fearful, harassed or anxious, then you are a victim of stalking. It’s not something that you should have to live with, and there is support here. You do not deserve to experience this.
What is stalking?
Stalking can be defined as persistent and unwanted attention that makes you feel pestered and harassed. It includes behaviour that happens two or more times, directed at or towards you by another person, which causes you to feel alarmed or distressed or to fear that violence might be used against you.
What makes the problem particularly hard to cope with is that it can go on for a long period of time, making you feel constantly anxious and afraid. Sometimes the problem can build up slowly and it can take a while for you to realise you are caught up in an ongoing campaign of abuse.
The problem isn’t always ‘physical’ — stalking can affect you psychologically as well. Social media and the internet are often used for stalking and harassment, and ‘cyber-stalking’ or online threats can be just as intimidating. If you've been affected by cyber-stalking, you can get more information and safety tips from Get Safe Online.
Am I being stalked?
Are you worried that someone might be stalking you? It can feel difficult seeking support and this tool is here to help you with the following:
The law in relation to stalking and harassment in the United Kingdom
Reporting stalking or harassment
Effective gathering of evidence
Improving your personal safety and that of your friends and family
Practical steps to reduce the risk
Accessing local services such as housing, emotional support etc.
Please be aware that this tool is unable to give you a definitive answer as to whether you are being stalked or not, if you would like to know more about this, please call or email the National Stalking Helpline (see below).
The National Stalking Helpline (Suzy Lamplugh Trust)
Website: https://www.suzylamplugh.org/Pages/Category/am-i-being-stalked
Where can I get help and support?
National Stalking Helpline
The National Stalking Helpline provides guidance and information to anybody who is currently or has previously been affected by harassment or stalking.
Helpline: 0808 802 0300
Website: stalkinghelpline.org
Protection Against Stalking
Protection against Stalking works jointly with relevant agencies to increase awareness of Stalking and Harassment to ensure victims receive all the protection and help they need to rebuild their lives and live free of fear.
Get Safe Online
Get Safe Online is the UK’s leading source of unbiased, factual and easy-to-understand information on online safety.
Their website provides practical advice on how to protect yourself, your computers and mobiles device and your business against fraud, identity theft, viruses and many other problems encountered online. It contains guidance on many other related subjects too – including performing backups and how to avoid theft or loss of your computer, or smartphone.
Website: https://www.getsafeonline.org/
Paladin NSAS (National Stalking Advocacy Service)
Paladin is a trauma-informed service established to assist high risk victims of stalking in England and Wales. Their team of accredited Independent Stalking Advocacy Caseworkers (ISACs) ensure that high risk victims of stalking are supported and that a coordinated community response is developed locally to keep victims and their children safe.
Website: paladinservice.co.uk
Victim Support
If you’ve been affected by any crime, Victim Support can give you the support you need to move forward. Their services are free, confidential and available to anyone in England and Wales, regardless of whether the crime has been reported or how long ago it happened.
Stalking and Harassment Help: As well as giving you emotional support to deal with the upset and trauma of this kind of crime, they can also give you practical help. This can include helping you to deal with the police if you decide to report incidents. They can also help with security measures in some cases.
Helpline: 08081 689 111
Website: https://www.victimsupport.org.uk/crime-info/types-crime/stalking-and-harassment
