STALKING RISK AND THE WORKPLACE:
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Stalking became a criminal offence in 2012 following our successful All Party Parliamentary
Stalking Law Reform Inquiry http://paladinservice.co.uk/wpcontent/uploads/2013/10/Stalking-Law-Reform-Findings-Report-2012.pdf
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There is no legal definition of stalking, but most experts agree it is a label for:
‘a long term pattern of unwanted persistent pursuit and intrusive behaviour directed by
one person to another, that engenders fear and distress in the victim’ (Meloy and
Ghothard, 1995; Mullen and Pathé, 1994; Mullen et al., 2000; Zona, Sharma and Lane 1993)
• Stalking is the most dramatic form of tracking and the most common behavioural component of coercive control next to assault (Stark, 2007). Domestic violence stalkers are most likely to be violent.
• 1 in 2 domestic violence stalkers will make a threat and act on it. 1 in 10 of those who are not in relationship, if they make a threat, will act on it (Mckenzie, McEwan, Pathé, James,
Olgoff 2009). Take all threats seriously.
• Homicide is the ultimate act of control. Control, abuse, stalking and assaultive behaviours may precede it. It is when an abuser has nothing left to lose and they feel they need to reassert control over the victim that they harm and, sometimes, murder.
• Ensure you have a rigorous policy and procedures and that staff are aware of it. The better your business/service understands stalking, the better protection you and your fellow employees will have
WORKPLACE STALKING:
• Many stalkers devote hours each day to their stalking campaign, are capable of stalking their victims for many years and use multiple means of contact (Richards 2011).
• Stalking rarely takes place at a distance. Some stalkers approach victims regularly.
• 75% of domestic stalkers will target their victim at work, with 79% of male perpetrators using work resources to target the victim.
• Research shows that those stalkers who visit the victim’s home, workplace, or other places frequented by the victim more than three times in a week are those who are most likely to attack.
IMPACT ON THE WORKPLACE:
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Stalking will have detrimental impact on work performance of the victim and others they work with.
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50 per cent of stalking victims reduce or stop work as a consequence of being stalked
(Mullen et al 2006).
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To reduce the impact that stalking may have on productivity, it is important to understand reasons why job performance may deteriorate and look to ways that your organisation can help employees to overcome these problems.
Paladin – National Stalking Advocacy Services CIC
Postal Address: PO BOX 64640, London, SW8 9DJ
Company Number: 8361675

The workplace can be impacted in a number of ways:
Time off work
• Sick leave – the victim and third parties with psychological symptoms
• Frightened to leave house
• Attending to legal matters
• Avoiding work if the stalker is a co-worker
Deteriorating work performance and relations
• Unable to concentrate on work when in attendance
• Difficulty catching up after missed days
• Time lost due to stalking intruding on the workplace e.g. phone calls, approaches etc
• Tension in the workplace arising from allegations made against the victim that they have somehow encouraged the stalker or are over reacting.
PREVENTATIVE MEASURES:
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The best way to reduce the possibility of stalking harassment in the workplace is to ensure that all employees understand how to deal effectively with potential problems that may result in a stalking situation.
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Stalking situations are more effectively managed when employees are aware of exactly what they need to do under such circumstances and therefore feel better equipped to deal with the problem.
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A rigorous policy on stalking and harassment, along with training, is vital.
RISK ASSESSMENT:
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It’s important for an evidence based tool to be used for risk screening. Paladin are experts in risk assessment and can formulate a course of action that is evidence based and takes account of the context and the behaviour.
SAFETY PLANNING CONSIDERATIONS:
Please do not:
• Think it any less serious if there has been no physical violence.
• Rationalise or excuse stalking behaviour.
• Collude with the inappropriate behaviour or inadvertently provide alternative avenues of stalking harassment.
• Send the person away believing that it is not serious or say that they are ‘lucky’ to receive this level of attention.
• Tell them to ignore messages/e-mails.
• Mediate or suggest that the victim talk/meet with the stalker to resolve issues.
GOLDEN RULES FOR PROFESSIONALS:
• Always take victims seriously. Believe them. Ensure they know they have your support.
Paladin – National Stalking Advocacy Services CIC
Postal Address: PO BOX 64640, London, SW8 9DJ
Company Number: 8361675

• Use the 11 stalking screening tool (S-DASH) questions.
• Advise victim to cease all contact immediately.
• Victim log/diary – detail all incidents, when, where, other witnesses etc.
• Collect and preserve evidence.
• Contact law enforcement early or ensure you get specialist expert advice.
• Create a proactive risk management strategy/safety plan with victim.
• Contact experts when required - Paladin, National Stalking Advocacy Service.
REFERRING A CASE TO PALADIN:
• Use the referral form on Paladin Website www.paladinservice.co.uk
• Victims can refer themselves using our self-referral form on our website
• Complete as much information as possible along with a VS-DASH, also available on our website.
• These forms allow our accredited and specialist Independent Stalking Advocacy Caseworkers
– ISACs for short - to make an assessment of risk and the level of support and intervention required.
WORKPLACE POLICY AND PACKAGE:
We have developed a gold standard and specific workplace package which includes a policy on stalking and harassment, implementation guide, posters, leaflets, pens and training. Please contact us and reference ‘workplace package’
CONTACT:
For more information on our workplace policy packages and training please contact
Paladin National Stalking Advocacy Service:
(T): 0207 840 8960
(W): www.paladinservice.co.uk
(E): info@paladinservice.co.uk
(T): @paladinservice
Paladin – National Stalking Advocacy Services CIC
Postal Address: PO BOX 64640, London, SW8 9DJ
Company Number: 8361675