1. Stalking Effects and what can be done to help

2. What’s covered Stalking-a recap The effects on the victim What you can do to help How the victim can be proactive Useful contacts Useful resources

3. Stalking Stalking is a very serious crime and should be treated as such Stalking is the persistent and unwanted contact between a stalker and essentially their ‘prey’. They will use an array of methods. More awareness and training is needed It is dealt with under the Protection from Harassment Act 1997 (England and Wales), Criminal Justice and Licensing Act 2010 (Scotland) and Protection from Harassment Order 1997 (Northern Ireland)

4. The effects on the victim Isolation and feelings of helplessness and violation Effects on work (50% having to quit or reduce hours and some being fired by unsympathetic employers- Pathe) Having to make lifestyle changes Anxiety Depression (25% have suicidal thoughts) Post traumatic stress disorder PTSD

5. What you can do to help Go through the stalking DASH checklist with them. Available here- http://www.stalkinghelpline.org/wpcms/wp- content/uploads/Stalking-risk-checklist.pdf http://www.stalkinghelpline.org/wpcms/wp- content/uploads/Stalking-risk-checklist.pdf Believe what they are saying and treat it seriously Signpost them to support or provide support yourself (such support could be information about legislation, practical steps or emotional support)

6. What you can do to help-practical steps? Talk to the victim about personal safety Victims can find the Criminal Justice System daunting- can you be there for them or help explain procedures? Allow the victim to make their own decisions Seek further advice Consider also taking steps to protect yourself

7. How the victims can be proactive Report to police Seek legal advice Keep a log (what happened, time, date, effect) Keep any evidence Make sure computers and phones are secure Do not interact with the stalker Obtain an injunction

8. How the victims can be proactive Tell family and friends Tell employers and talk to them about safety measures Use a PO Box Take personal safety measures for your person and your home Change numbers or get ‘white listing’ (only allows calls from approved contacts-still logs other calls)

9. How the victims can be proactive Change routines Keep to hand the numbers and details of all officers and personnel involved in your case Seek emotional/medical support if needed If high risk keep an emergency bag containing essentials such as change of clothes, important documents and numbers as well as duplications of any evidence

10. Useful Contacts and resources National Stalking Helpline 0808 802 0300 advice@stalkinghelpline.org www.stalkinghelpline.org advice@stalkinghelpline.org www.stalkinghelpline.org Network for Surviving Stalking www.nss.org.ukwww.nss.org.uk Protection Against Stalking www.protectionagainststalking.org www.protectionagainststalking.org Suzy Lamplugh Trust www.suzylamplugh.orgwww.suzylamplugh.org

11. Useful contacts and resources Digital Stalking; A guide to technology risks for victims by Jennifer Perry (available here http://www.e-victims.org/victim-advice/digital- stalking-how-to-factsheets/network-for-stalking-and- womens-aid-digital-stalking-guideli.html ) http://www.e-victims.org/victim-advice/digital- stalking-how-to-factsheets/network-for-stalking-and- womens-aid-digital-stalking-guideli.html Surviving Stalking by Michele Pathe 2002