Being a victim of stalking can be an extremely scary experience. A stalker can come in the form of an ex-boyfriend, a completely random stranger, or someone you’ve only met a handful of times. On top of this, there’s no clear cut way to stalk someone. It can come in the form of letters, coincidentally meeting, or being followed. It’s unfair, frightening, and traumatic for the victim or victims involved.

On average, a victim will experience stalking anytime between 1 and 5 years in the UK, and the Crime Survey for England and Wales estimates that around 4.9 million adults have experienced stalking at some point in their lifetime. In the same study, it was found that women are twice as likely to experience stalking when compared to men, with mixed-race women and those aged 20–24 years at greater risk.

On top of this, over 2000 offenders were charged with stalking between 2019 and 2020 (double that of the previous year), and that’s just the offenders who were reported. Unfortunately, we’ll never know the true number of cases when it comes to stalking, and methods of stalking are evolving year after year. This year for example, we’ve seen a rise in cyberstalking correlating with the country going into lockdown. It’s become much easier to gain personal information about a person online, especially with more and more of us having social media accounts.

This is a huge issue that needs addressing, which is why we’ve partnered with Paladin, the world’s first National Stalking Advocacy Service, to raise awareness and provide support to those affected. Paladin was set up following the success of the All Party Parliamentary Stalking Law Reform Campaign, headed up by Paladin founder Laura Richards, which led to stalking becoming a criminal offence in 2012. Paladin works with victims to amplify their voices and is used by the NHS, the police and domestic abuse caseworkers. In England and Wales, Paladin has seen cases of stalking in women from many different backgrounds, with a range of methods being used.

What to do if you are experiencing stalking

Understanding stalking and taking precautions if you feel you are a victim of stalking is extremely important.

Sometimes, there is a grey area between understanding harassment and stalking, and Paladin likes to use the rule of F.O.U.R as an identifier - Fixated, Obsessive, Unwanted and Repeated. Do you believe that someone fits the rule of F.O.U.R? If so, it’s time to take action. Below are some of their top tips to help you if you experience stalking.

Report to the police

The first thing you should do if you suspect that you’re a victim of stalking is to call the police. The easiest way to do this is to call 101, visiting your local police station or if you think there’s an emergency, call 999. Try and make a note of everything that has happened up until this point, and make sure to jot down any crime reference number you may be given.

Take precautions

This includes talking to safe and trusted people around you about what is happening, including friends and family or work colleagues, etc. You could also keep a diary in order to record all incidents that occur. From messages, calls or sightings to screenshots or unwanted gifts. You may also wish to record how stalking is affecting you mentally.

Another way to take precautions if you’re asking yourself “am I being stalked?” is to ensure that your phone is always charged and that you plan your routes in advance. This is so you can let loved ones know your location at any point, or when you’re likely to be returning home.

You can also consider installing CCTV and/or door alarms for your home, for both your peace of mind and your safety.

Apps & Devices

On top of ensuring that your phone is fully charged, it’s also a great idea to buy a second phone and keep your main one switched off. This will allow you to keep evidence for the police while staying safe in the knowledge that your new phone is free from any potential spyware. When it comes to your passwords, we know it’s easy to use the same password for everything, but it’s a good idea to change your passwords regularly and even set up two-factor authentication where possible.

Although blocking the perpetrator on social media may seem like the right thing to do, Paladin advises that you don’t do this in order to stop any escalation in behaviour by the perpetrator.

When it comes to apps, we suggest installing our app One Scream, which is the ideal app to have if you are ever in danger and can’t reach your phone. It will automatically detect your panic scream and send your location to a nominated contact. For android users, your contact will be called, and the line will stay open for them.

At work

Involving your workspace in your safety plan can help you feel a bit more at ease, so speaking with your manager about your circumstances is a really good place to start. You may be able to change your route to work, shift patterns or even set up a buddy scheme to ensure that you’re getting to and from work with someone who works with you and knows that you’re safe.

In public

If you drive, consider purchasing a dashcam and always park in well-lit areas with CCTV. If you’re concerned about a tracking device on your car, consider getting it checked out by a local garage.

How to contact Paladin

If you’re being stalked by an ex, a stranger or an acquaintance, then contact the police. Paladin is not an emergency service and they do not offer a helpline service - they are an advocacy service working on a referral basis only. You can self-refer by contacting Paladin for a referral pack or by downloading it from their website. Agencies such as the police, domestic abuse caseworkers, or the NHS may also refer you if high-risk stalking has been identified.

You can contact Paladin via the following means:

Paladin

PO Box 72962

London

N7 1DZ

Email: info@paladinservice.co.uk Secure Email: info.mailbox@paladin.cjsm.net

Telephone: 020 3866 4107

(Opening hours: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday: 9am to 3pm - Wednesdays: 11am to 5pm)

The One Scream app is available to download via the App store or Google Play.

Advice: what to do if you experience stalking