Stalking and harassment are a pattern of persistent and unwanted attention that makes you feel scared, anxious, harassed, or pestered. Stalkers may be ex-partners, work colleagues or even someone you don't know. They often use multiple differing methods, and may continue for years.
Warning If there is immediate danger to you or someone else, call the police immediately on 999.
Report stalking or harassment to the police as early as possible. They will take it seriously.
If you don't want to contact the police, you can report anonymously to Crimestoppers, or report the local areas where you feel unsafe by using an Avon & Somerset Police Streetsafe form.
Identify stalking and harassment
Below are some examples of this type of abuse. Does your abuser do any of the following?
- Repeatedly follow or spy on you
- Let you know that they are watching you, or know your routines
- Regularly give you unwanted gifts
- Make unwanted, malicious or threatening communication (this could be by phone or text, or harassing you on social media)
- Send messages or tell lies about you to a partner, friends or family
- Claim to be in a relationship with you, when this isn't true
- Damage your property
- Hack your emails or phone calls
- Cyber-stalking (following your activity online)
- Physical or sexual assault
Stay safe
Do the following things, to help you to cope and keep safe from a stalker.
Record it
- Keep a journal or diary with you to make notes. Keep evidence of what is happening and write information down as soon as possible while events are still fresh in your mind.
- Keep a record of what happened, when and where every time you are followed, phoned, or harassed in any way.
- Keep unwanted gifts as evidence. This includes letters and parcels. Do not throw them away, even if they contain upsetting or frightening messages.
- Record phone calls if you can and keep any stored text messages you might receive.
- If possible, record any details about the offender, such as how they looked and sounded, what they were wearing including make, number plate or colour of their car.
- Try to get photographic or video evidence of your stalker (particularly if police have warned them not to come near you).
- Keep copies of emails on external media, such as a USB flash drive, screenshot or print out any evidence from social networking sites, including times and dates.
Tell people
- Let others know what is happening and seek help and support from professionals.
- If you feel unsafe going out on your own, ask friends to accompany you.
- Always let someone know your plans.
Protect yourself
- Always trust yourself and your instincts.
- Consider carrying a personal attack alarm and take a mobile phone with you whenever you go out.
- Keep your routine varied and take different routes to and from work if you can.
- Talk to the police about installing CCTV, a panic button or alarm system in your home.
- Find out where your nearest safe location is. For example, a police station or nearby supermarket with security guards and CCTV.
- Contact your phone provider or company, to see what action they can take against malicious callers.
- If your stalker is an ex-partner, and you're going into a refuge or emergency accommodation for your own safety, it is important to disconnect any smartphone devices or online accounts, such as Netflix, which may enable them to track your location.
Be aware of online safety
- Check your computer for malware and key logging software.
- Keep your anti-virus software up to date.
- Report stalking and harassment activity to website administrators.
- Check your privacy settings and try to set social media pages to private.
- Limit the information you share about yourself online.
- Frequently change your passwords. Ensure you create strong passwords and never use the same password for everything.
If you find out who your stalker is
- Never confront or engage your stalker in conversation.
- Do not respond to any calls, letters, or messages. Once a stalker has your attention, they may feel encouraged to carry on.
- Never, under any circumstances, agree to a meet your stalker to talk about how you feel about their behaviour.
- Always seek advice from the police, a solicitor, or the National Stalking Helpline about what you should do.
Get support
| Organisation | Services | Contacts and links |
|---|---|---|
| Suzy Lamplugh Trust |
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| Paladin (National Stalking Advisory Service) |
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| Protection Against Stalking |
National charity working to:
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Email support@protectionagainststalking.org (non-emergency support) |
| Cyber Helpline | Expert help for victims of cyber crime and online harm |
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Related forms of abuse
Stalking and harassment often happen in combination with other forms of domestic abuse. Find out more by visiting our separate pages on: