Stalking

About stalking

Stalking can consist of any type of behaviour, including online, that is fixated, obsessive, unwanted and repeated and causes fear, distress and anxiety.

Anyone can become a victim of stalking and the stalker can be someone you know or a stranger. Even if you know/knew the stalker, it is not your fault. Stalking and harassment is something that no one should have to experience. You can find out more about harassment here on our harassment page.

In the age of digital communication and social media, cyberstalking is often used as a extension of 'offline' stalking. However, it can also be done by itself.

Cyberstalking should be treated as seriously as 'offline' stalking. You will find all of the information about cyberstalking on its own page.

 

Am I being stalked?

The following questions may help you identify if it is stalking you are experiencing.

  • Are you experiencing behaviours such as watching, phone calls, emails, gifts, spying, following, threats, hacking
  • Have you experienced at least two incidents of any of the unwanted behaviour?
  • Do you feel that the behaviours are being carried out because of an obsession towards you?
  • Is the behaviour impacting your daily activities?
  • Is the behaviour having a negative impact on your wellbeing?
  • Think FOUR- Are the behaviours Fixated, Obsessive, Unwanted and Repeated?

If you answered yes to the above, you may be experiencing stalking. Reach out to the services on this site, and report the incidents to the Police. 

 

What is the difference between stalking and harassment?

Harassment

Legally, the term harassment is used to cover the 'causing alarm or distress' and 'putting people in fear of violence' offences under a certain law (Protection from Harassment Act 1997).

Harassment can include repeated attempts to carry out unwanted communications and contact on someone in a manner that could be expected to cause distress or fear.

 

Stalking

Stalking has no strict legal definition. However, changes to law in 2012 set out a number of behaviours associated with stalking which gives an indication of the types of behaviour that may be displayed in a stalking offence. For something to be considered stalking it must include the act of harassment.

The behaviour carried out is to limit a persons feeling of freedom and safety. In many cases, the acts on their own may appear innocent, but when carried out repeatedly it causes significant alarm or distress.

In other terms, stalking is behaviour that is fixated, obsessive, unwanted and repeated and causes you fear.

Think FOUR

Fixated

Obsessive

Unwanted

Repeated

 

Reporting stalking

If you believe you are experiencing stalking, report it to Sussex Police either online or by calling 101.

If someone is in immediate danger, or it is an emergency please call 999 and ask for the Police. 

If you're in danger but can't talk on the phone, still call 999 and follow the below:

-From a mobile- 

If you don't speak or answer questions, press 55 when prompted and your call will be transferred to the police. 

Pressing 55 only works on mobiles and doesn't allow the police to track your location.

If you don't press 55 your call will be ended.

-From a landline

If you don't speak or answer questions and the operator can only hear background noise, they'll transfer your call to the police. 

If you replace the handset, the landline may remain connected for 45 seconds in case you pick it up again.

Calling 999 from a landline automatically gives the police information about your location.

 

What can I do?

If you believe you are being stalked, reach out to a Support Service and report the incidents to the Police.

Below is some practical advice you can also do to help keep yourself safe

  • Keep a diary of all incidents and their impact on your daily life
  • Preserve all communications and gifts
  • Don't mediate or engage with the stalker unless unavoidable
  • Be aware of how much of your personal information is available online
  • Change passwords on your devices, accounts and social media
  • Check your privacy settings on any mobile apps and social networking sites

You can also see more information about steps you can take to help keep you safe from cyber stalking on the Cyber Stalking page. 

 

Court Orders and Stalking Protection Orders

You can take forward action through civil law courts by applying for an injunction. This is an order from a court that the person stops doing the acts that amount to stalking or harassment.

You do have to pay for civil proceedings, including court costs and the cost of any lawyer you instruct.

The Police also now have the power to apply for Stalking Protection Orders. These are civil orders that when broken are a criminal offence. Within the Order, the Police can attach terms such as prohibitions (an activity that cannot be done) and positive requirements (activities that should be done).

Leave site now