Stalking is fixated, obsessive, unwanted and repeated behaviour that makes a person feel pestered and harassed. It includes behaviour that happens two or more times, directed at or towards one person by another person, which causes them to feel alarmed or distressed or to fear violence might be used against them. Stalking is like harassment, but it's more aggressive. The stalker will have an obsession with the person they're targeting. The stalker may be known to the person or be a stranger.
Stalking can consist of any type of behaviour such as regularly sending flowers or gifts, making unwanted or malicious communication, damaging property and physical or sexual assault. If the behaviour is persistent and clearly unwanted, causing someone fear, distress or anxiety then it is stalking and they should not have to live with it.
Stalking may include:
- Regularly following someone
- Repeatedly going invited to their home
- Checking someone’s internet use, email or other electronic communication
- Hanging around somewhere they know the person often visits
- Interfering with their property
- Watching or spying on someone
- Identity theft (signing up to services, buying things in someone’s name)
Online stalking and harassment
Social networking sites, chat rooms, gaming sites and other forums are often used to stalk and harass someone, for example:
- To get personal information
- To communicate (calls, texts, emails, social media, creating fake accounts)
- Damaging reputation
- Spamming and sending viruses
- Tricking other internet users into harassing or threatening
- Identity theft
- Threats to share private information, photographs, copies of messages
Stalking often has a huge emotional impact on those it affects. It can lead to feelings of depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder. It can be a psychological as well as a physical crime.