Stalker victims urged to report crimes

Victims of stalking are being urged to seek help and realise that stalking is a crime as part of National Stalking Awareness Day 2013 on 18 April.

One in five women and one in 10 men are stalked at some point in their life yet many people do not realise the seriousness of the crime and are unsure of the measures available to them if they or someone they know falls victim to a stalker.

Over the past year the National Stalking Helpline has spoken to 2,000 victims of stalking and the latest Crime Survey of England and Wales shows that 4% of women and 3% of men have experienced stalking.

National Stalking Awareness Day has been launched by the National Stalking Helpline to make victims aware that they are being stalked and encourage police officers and practitioners working with stalking victims to have a better understanding of the law and how they can use it.

Stalking is against the law across the UK and in November 2012 the Protection from Harassment Act 1997 created two new stalking offences – stalking and stalking that causes serious distress or fear of violence. The latter has a maximum sentence of five years in prison.

Assistant Chief Constable and ACPO lead for stalking and harassment Garry Shewan said: “We are acutely aware that the experience of being stalked can destroy the lives of victims and tragically, in some cases, may end in violence or murder.

“Being stalked can force a victim to move house, change jobs or feel unable to socialise and many victims do not realise just how serious a crime stalking is. We know that on average victims will experience between 70 and 100 incidents before contacting the police and only 50% of people who contact the Stalking Helpline have been to the police before.

“The aim of National Stalking Awareness Day is to raise awareness of the crime and give victims the confidence to come forward. Please be assured that the police take reports of stalking, whether it is cyber or offline, very seriously. Having met and listened to victims of these sustained and insidious crimes, I can assure you that stalking is no laughing matter and anybody who feels intimidated, threatened or scared for their safety should seek help and report it to the police.”

To report an incident of stalking, contact the police on 101 or visit your local police station. In an emergency dial 999.

For support, contact the National Stalking Helpline on 0808 802 0300 or visit www.stalkinghelpline.org