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Let's Talk Stalking

As you may be aware, there are many TV and film story lines at the moment which involve sexual violence. We are aware of how triggering this may be for survivors and wanted to pull some information together about one of the most talked about topics at the moment, stalking.

 

What is stalking?

According to Scottish Law, any act that occurs as part of a course of conduct (two or more instances) that cause fear and alarm for the victim can be considered an incident of stalking.

Stalking is unwanted, focussed behaviours carried out by one person, or persons, against another, causing fear and alarm. A wide range of behaviours may qualify as stalking including (but not limited to):

• Telephone calls.
• Sending unwanted messages and gifts.
• Harassment and monitoring on social media.
• Following and loitering.
• Verbal abuse.

This means that non-criminal acts, like a text message that says ‘your hair looks nice today’ can become criminal when they happen twice or more and cause the victim to feel afraid. A text message like this could easily make someone feel afraid, because it is intended to let them know that they are being watched.

 

This handy acronym can help to determine whether a behaviour is stalking:

• Fixated - in the stalker's world, everything revolves around the victim. 
• Obsessive - never leaving the victim alone and always thinking about them.
• Unwanted - the victim constantly receiving attention that they do not want.
• Repeated - the stalker is always contacting the victim despite being told to stop. 

 

The impact of stalking

Stalking has a devastating impact on victims which can be the main goal of a stalker. Often offenders aren't interested in the feelings of the person being targeted and are only focused on their own motivations.

TV and social media can trivialise the seriousness of stalking and its physical, psychological and financial impact and as a result this can leave victims isolated and struggling to have their experience understood and invalidated. 

 

Statistics on Stalking*

• Those aged under 25 are more likely to experience stalking.
• Around 20% of victims of stalking are men.
• Women are more likely to be victims of stalking than men.
• 11% of adults in Scotland have experienced stalking behaviours.
• A quarter of stalking victims experience suicidal thoughts.

*source - Non-profit organisation | Action Against Stalking | Scotland

 

How we can help

Here at FRASAC we support anyone of any gender aged 12+ who has been affected by sexual violence at any time in their lives. This could mean that you may have experienced something personally or you may have supported a friend or loved one through their own experience. This may have been recently or may have been years ago - we can still support you. You can contact us on 01592 642336 during office hours to make a referral. Please note, you do not need to be referred via a professional to access our services. Alternatively, you can email us at info@frasac.org.uk.

 

Resources

Please check our resources page here which we have some resources, websites and helplines which may be useful.

 

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