Stalking and Harassment
Stalking is unwanted and repeated behaviour towards an individual by another that causes a victim to feel that violence may be used against them or another person. It can cause fear, harassment or anxiety, resulting in the victim to feel afraid, alarm and distressed. This behaviour can include regularly sending unwanted gifts or malicious communications, damaging property; and physical or sexual assault. There will be different motivations for an offenders behaviour. This may include revenge, retribution, loneliness, resentment, a desire for reconciliation, response to a perceived insult, humiliation or a desire for control.
Some offenders’ behaviour will be driven by mental health issues. These behaviours can often have a devastating effect on their victim.
Research shows that those who are at the highest risk of assault are ex-intimates who have been threatened, and where the stalking has continued for more than two weeks.
Remember to save any messages, make note of calls and any other correspondence. Write down date, time, location, any witnesses, what happened, how it made you feel and if you have reported to the police. If you are worried you are being stalked, regardless of whether you have reported any incidents to the police, please get in touch.
Download Our PDF Factsheet
Behaviour by a suspect can include:
Frequent, unwanted contact for example; Appearing at the home or workplace of the victim, telephone calls, text messages or other contact, such as via the internet (ie. social networking sites).
Remember that domestic stalkers are the most dangerous group of stalkers. A prior intimate relationship is the most powerful predictor of violence in stalking cases as there could be a shorter duration of stalking along with rapid escalation, which could signal a ‘high’ risk of serious harm.
Contacting Us
If you report a crime to Staffordshire Police, they will ask you if you are happy for your details to be passed on to the Staffordshire Victim Gateway and Restorative Justice Service. We will automatically receive your contact information and a brief overview of your experience and the crime, if you don’t specify to Staffordshire Police that you don’t want us to make contact with you. If you initially opted out of the service, you can self-refer at any time.
We can provide you with advice, information & emotional and practical support. We can liaise and advocate on your behalf, and introduce and support you to specialist services, who can help you gain the relevant support that can help in your recovery. We will be with you every step of the way. Our support is free and confidential, regardless of whether you have reported a crime or incident to the police, we are here to support you.
Crime Prevention Information
Additionally, it may also be useful for you to have advice on crime prevention that may help you to protect yourself in the future. You can find lots of useful information on local crime prevention by clicking here:
https://www.staffordshire.police.uk/cp/crime-prevention/