What is Stalking?
Unfortunately, many women are affected by stalking – which may be from an ex-partner/person known to them or from a perpetrator relatively known to them or a complete stranger. It may be difficult to identify the behaviours experienced as actual Stalking, and many victims may adapt and or change their lifestyle and patterns of movement to avoid the perpetrator, as well as somehow feeling “responsible“ for somehow causing these behaviours to happen. It can be very frightening and intimidating for the victim, and you can get help and advice here at Beiras Place as well as legal advice and support from the police and specialist services (see below).
If you have recently separated from a controlling partner, you may be at more risk of them stalking you as a means of exhibiting their power and control, as well as intimidating you (and any children) to cause fear and force your return to the relationship. This type of post separation stalking can indicate an increasing indicator of risk, and please do not hesitate to seek support from external services (see below).
Stalking is a standalone offence in Scotland under Section 39 of the Criminal Justice and Licensing Act (2010). Stalking behaviours are often covert and deemed ‘non-criminal,’ but when they are considered within a course of conduct or pattern, a crime has been committed.
Stalking is often misunderstood or overlooked, so it is important to recognise the harmful impacts of these behaviours.
Consider the acronym F.O.U.R. Are the behaviours
- Fixated,
- Obsessive,
- Unwanted and
- Repeated?
Then stalking could be taking place.
Stalking behaviours can take place online, in person or both. Some common stalking behaviours include, but are not limited to:
- Sending unwanted letters or cards;
- Sending unwanted emails, text messages, or posts on social media sites;
- Making unwanted phone calls;
- Delivering unwanted gifts to a workplace or home;
- Waiting outside someone’s home or workplace;
- Following someone or spying on them;
- Sharing intimate pictures of them without their consent, for example, by text, on a website, or a social media site;
- Posting information publicly about someone, making public accusations or contacting someone’s employer;
- Making threats;
- Contacting someone through social media and messaging apps;
- Accessing or hacking personal accounts/phones/devices/belongings for tracking purposes (i.e. tracking apps, airtags, or other methods of tracking devices)
- Accessing a phone to view personal information.
The Impacts of Stalking
Stalking can leave victims with long-lasting psychological, physical and financial impacts. The Scottish Crime and Justice Survey 2018-20 found that 11.8% of adults in Scotland are stalked annually. The survey also reported that:
- 94% said they made changes to their life or work patterns.
- 53% said they changed or left jobs.
- 39% said they moved home.
- 83% reported increased anxiety.
- 75% felt powerless.
- 74% had experienced disrupted sleep.
- 55% said they suffered fatigue.
- 55% had flashbacks and intrusive thoughts.
- 24% had suicidal thoughts.
* Scottish Crime and Justice Survey 2018-20
About Action Against Stalking
Action Against Stalking (AAS) is Scotland’s only dedicated anti-stalking support charity. The charity was founded in 2014 by stalking victim-survivor Dr Ann Moulds CBE after her successful campaign to make stalking a standalone offence in Scotland. AAS recognise the prevalence of stalking in our communities and the life-changing impact this crime has on victims.
AAS’s Throughcare Support Service puts victims at the heart of its work, offering free, confidential, and professional support and advocacy to those affected by stalking. AAS empowers victims with the knowledge that they are not alone, and for those with more complex cases, we also provide Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT).
You can learn more about AAS’s work by visiting their website, which also has informative, downloadable leaflets – www.actionagainststalking.org
Access Action Against Stalking Support:
- Phone: 0800 820 2427
- Email: support@actionagainststalking.org
- Referral Form: www.actionagainststalking.org/referral
- General Enquiries: enquiries@actionagainststalking.org
Other useful contacts
Help & Advice Resources
These resources have been created for survivors of sexual violence, abuse or sexual exploitation but may also be useful for anyone who is supporting a survivor.
Need to speak to someone?
Get in touch with one of our practitioners.
We’re here to help.