How much do you know about
stalking?
How many women in Britain are stalked at some
point in their adult life? (between ages of 16 – 59)
A)
B)
C)
D)
1 in 3
1 in 5
1 in 10
1 in 15
Answer
B) 1 in 5*
*Homicides, firearm offences and intimate violence 2009/10 (Supplementary volume
2 to Crime in England and Wales 2009/10 2nd Edition). Home Office Statistical
Bulletin 01/11.
How many men in Britain are stalked at some point
in their adult life? (between ages of 16 – 59)
A) 1 in 5
B) 1 in 10
C) 1 in 15
D) 1 in 20
Answer
B) 1 in 10*
Recent research by the University of Bedfordshire’s National Centre for Cyberstalking
Research showed that the primary fear of men and women stalking victims differed,
with men more likely to be concerned about loss of reputation and women more
concerned about the possibility of a physical assault.
*Homicides, firearm offences and intimate violence 2009/10 (Supplementary
volume 2 to Crime in England and Wales 2009/10 2nd Edition). Home Office
Statistical Bulletin 01/11.
A) Does the law in England and Wales include the word
stalking?
B) Does the law in Scotland include the word stalking?
C) Does the law in Northern Ireland include the word
stalking?
A) No – The law in England and Wales is called the Protection from
Harassment Act 1997. The Act says that it is an offence to “pursue a
course of conduct” that the perpetrator knows or ought to know would
amount to alarm, distress or fear of violence. The lack of a definition
means that the Act can cover all forms of harassment including
cyberstalking.
B) Yes – Section 39 of The Criminal Justice and Licensing (Scotland) Act
2010 refers specifically to the offence of stalking. The Act lists behaviours
that can be viewed as stalking and has a caveat at the end to include
other behaviours that are not listed.
C) No - In Northern Ireland the Protection from Harassment Order 1997
uses the same wording as the Protection from Harassment Act 1997.
What percentage of stalking victims know their stalker?
(‘know’ meaning they have had some form of prior
interaction in any setting)
A) 30%
B) 50%
C) 70%
D) 80%
Answer
D) 80%
80% of people who contacted the National Stalking Helpline had previous contact with
their stalker before the behaviour began.
8.5% of people had no idea who was stalking them and 10% where being stalked by a
stranger.
Just under 40% of people who contacted the Helpline were being stalked by an ex
partner.
What is the maximum prison sentence a perpetrator
can receive under section 4 of the Protection from
Harassment Act? (section 4 is when the victim has
been put in fear of violence)
a) 1 year
b) 3 years
c) 5 years
d) 7 years
Answer
C) 5 years
For an offence of section 2 Harassment, where there has been no threats of violence
the maximum sentence is only 6 months.
Of all the Harassment offences recorded by police in 2009, only 2.2% proceeded to
court and resulted in a custodial sentence.*
* Figures by NAPO, March 2011
Which of these behaviours should raise concern if it
occurs as part of the stalking behaviour?
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
Vandalising or damaging property
Visiting the victim at home or work
Harassing third parties, i.e. friends, family, children
Acting out violently towards other people
All of the above
Answer
E) All of the above
All of the behaviours listed on the previous page are part of the Stalking Risk
Checklist written by Dr Lorraine Sheridan and Karl Roberts who are international
experts on stalking. You can see the full checklist on the next slide and you can
download a copy from any of the stalking charities websites;
www.protectionagainststalking.org, www.stalkinghelpline.org or www.nss.org.uk
1. Are you very frightened?
2. Is there any previous domestic abuse and/or harassment history?
3. Has (…..)ever destroyed or vandalised any of your property?
4. Does (…..) turn up at your workplace, home, etc. unannounced or uninvited more
than 3 times a week?
5. Does (…..) follow you or loiter around your workplace or home?
6. Has (…..) made any threats of physical or sexual violence?
7. Has (…..) harassed any third parties since the harassment began?
8. Has (…..) acted violently towards anyone else within the stalking incident?
9. Has (…..) persuaded other people to help him/her (wittingly or unwittingly)?
10. Is (…..) known to be abusing drugs or alcohol?
11. Is (…..) known to have been violent in the past?
Most stalkers are mentally ill
A) True
B) False
Answer
B) False
Although studies show that some stalkers may suffer
from mental illness, there is no evidence to suggest
that most stalkers are mentally ill.
Technology is only used by the most intelligent stalkers
A) True
B) False
Answer
B) False
Increasingly stalkers use easily available technologies, such as
mobile phones, computers, emails, GPS and cameras to track
their victim. If you work with stalking victims in anyway it is
important you at least understand the basic forms of
cyberstalking, if you would like more information see ‘Digital
Stalking: technology risks for victims’ which can be found at
www.womensaid.org.uk or www.nss.org.uk
Anyone affected by stalking can call the National Stalking Helpline on 0808
802 0300 or email advice@stalkinghelpline.org
If you want any information about stalking or further statistics then please
email info@stalkinghelpline.org