Effects and what can be done to help

• Stalking-a recap
• The effects on the victim
• What you can do to help
• How the victim can be proactive
• Useful contacts
• Useful resources

• Stalking is a very serious crime and should be treated as such
• Stalking is the persistent and unwanted contact between a stalker and essentially their ‘prey’. They will use an array of methods.
• More awareness and training is needed
• It is dealt with under the Protection from Harassment Act
1997 (England and Wales), Criminal Justice and Licensing Act
2010 (Scotland) and Protection from Harassment Order 1997
(Northern Ireland)

• Isolation and feelings of helplessness and violation
• Effects on work (50% having to quit or reduce hours and some being fired by unsympathetic employers-
Pathe)
• Having to make lifestyle changes
• Anxiety
• Depression (25% have suicidal thoughts)
• Post traumatic stress disorder PTSD

• Go through the stalking DASH checklist with them.
Available herehttp://www.stalkinghelpline.org/wpcms/wpcontent/uploads/Stalking-risk-checklist.pdf
• Believe what they are saying and treat it seriously
• Signpost them to support or provide support yourself
(such support could be information about legislation, practical steps or emotional support)

• Talk to the victim about personal safety
• Victims can find the Criminal Justice System daunting- can you be there for them or help explain procedures?
• Allow the victim to make their own decisions
• Seek further advice
• Consider also taking steps to protect yourself

• Report to police
• Seek legal advice
• Keep a log (what happened, time, date, effect)
• Keep any evidence
• Make sure computers and phones are secure
• Do not interact with the stalker
• Obtain an injunction

• Tell family and friends
• Tell employers and talk to them about safety measures
• Use a PO Box
• Take personal safety measures for your person and your home
• Change numbers or get ‘white listing’ (only allows calls from approved contacts-still logs other calls)

• Change routines
• Keep to hand the numbers and details of all officers and personnel involved in your case
• Seek emotional/medical support if needed
• If high risk keep an emergency bag containing essentials such as change of clothes, important documents and numbers as well as duplications of any evidence

• National Stalking Helpline 0808 802 0300 advice@stalkinghelpline.org
www.stalkinghelpline.org
• Network for Surviving Stalking www.nss.org.uk
• Protection Against Stalking www.protectionagainststalking.org
• Suzy Lamplugh Trust www.suzylamplugh.org

• Digital Stalking; A guide to technology risks for victims by Jennifer Perry (available here http://www.e-victims.org/victim-advice/digitalstalking-how-to-factsheets/network-for-stalking-andwomens-aid-digital-stalking-guideli.html
)
• Surviving Stalking by Michele Pathe 2002