Vale of Glamorgan Council
Cyngor Bro Morgannwg
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Stalking

Stalking is a pattern of unwanted, Fixated, Obsessive and repeated behaviour which is intrusive

 

Stalking is a form of harassment and may include: 

  • Unwanted contact – through phone calls, texts and social media 

  • Unwanted gifts 

  • Showing up /approaching an individual or their family/friends. 

  • Following someone 

  • Hanging around somewhere they know the person attends 

  • Watching or spying on someone 

  • Writing or posting online about someone if its unwanted or the person doesn’t know 

The behaviour is classed as stalking if the unwanted behaviour takes place two times or more and has made the individual feel scared, threatened or distressed.  

 

The Impact of Stalking 

The behaviours linked to stalking can have an impact on an individuals mental and physical health as well as having an impact on their daily life. Therefore, it is important to seek advice and support if you are experiencing this behaviour.  

 

Types of Stalkers 

  • The rejected - Who Pursue Ex-Partners, in the hope of reconciliation, for vengeance or both. 
  • Intimacy Seekers – Who stalk someone they believe that they love and who they think will reciprocate. 
  • Incompetent Suitors – Who inappropriately intrude on someone, usually seeking a date or brief sexual encounter.  
  • The Resentful – Who Pursue victims to take out revenge. 
  • The Predatory – Whose Stalking forms part of sexual offending. 

Online Stalking and Harassment 

Online stalking and harassment is when someone monitors, harasses, threatens another person using the internet or other forms of technology.  

 

This can include: 

  • Monitoring someone’s internet use 

  • Someone sending you inappropriate images without your permission 

  • Spamming 

  • Stealing someone’s identity 

  • Threatening to share private information 

  • The use of tracking devices 

How does UK law define Stalking? 

Stalking is considered a form of harassment under the Protection from Harassment Act 1997. Stalking was further criminalised and its behaviours explicitly listed by the protection of Freedoms Act 2012. The Act clarified that following a person, watching and ‘or spying, repeated contact, Loitering near their home or place of work, interfering with their property and publishing information without their consent, are all examples of stalking behaviour. 

What to do if you are being stalked

If you, or someone you know, has experienced two or more incidents of stalking or harassment you can report it to the Police.  

 

If you are in immediate danger call the police by dialling 999. If you would like to speak to a police officer but it isn’t urgent then you can call 101. 

 

National Stalking Helpline

To get more advice, help and support about stalking and harassment you can contact the National Stalking Helpline. 

  • 0808 802 0300 

 

South Wales Victim Focus

South Wales Victim Focus Officer can support and help to access specialist help. 

  • 0300 30 30 161