What is cyberstalking – and what support is available?

What is stalking? Stalkers are fixated and obsessive offenders who will not stop.

According to Sussex Police, stalking is when someone shows repeated and unwanted attention towards another person.

Often when individual incidents are put together they can reveal a pattern of obsessive behaviour.

Stalking is a crime that is distressing and malicious and is something no one should have to put up with.

In order to consider whether someone’s behaviour constitutes stalking, people should ‘think FOUR’. Is the behaviour; F – fixated O – obsessive U – unwanted R – repeated

What is cyberstalking? Cyberstalking, or online enabled stalking, is a serious crime where a perpetrator uses the internet to harass, intimidate or frighten their victim with persistent and unwanted electronic communications or surveillance.

Cyberstalking may include texts, emails, phone calls, including voicemail messages, social media posts and comments. It can also be through messaging apps or games consoles.

When these communications display fixation and obsession, this may be considered cyberstalking.

A Sussex Police spokesman said: “Technology has provided stalkers with a way to continue their campaigns online with a certain degree of anonymity.

“A readily accessible, very affordable and easily usable set of ‘tools’ are available to stalking perpetrators around the clock, including hacking and tracking software, and vehicle or possession tracking devices.”

How common is this offence?

Statistics show that one in six women and one in 12 men will experience stalking nationally – but this is believed to be grossly underestimated.

And when they become victims, they tend not to report to the police until the 100th incident.

Eighty per cent of victims who contact the National Stalking Helpline are female and the majority of their stalkers are male, according to Out of Sight Out of Mind – a report by the Suzy Lamplugh Trust.

Stalkers can be any age – the helpline has dealt with cases where the stalker was under 18 and others where the stalker was over 70.

Victims can be stalked for years, with the average case lasting 15 months.

But many cases last longer – 30 per cent of people who contact the helpline have experienced stalking for over two years and 13 per cent have been stalked for over five years.

Most victims know their stalker, and the largest group of stalkers (45 per cent of all cases) is ex-partners.

What help is available to victims?

If you are being stalked or harassed it is important that you report it.

– Always call 999 if you are in danger. Sussex Police officers and staff will undertake a risk assessment and focus on keeping you safe.

– You can report stalking or harassment online or by calling 101 or in person at your local police station.

– To learn more about stalking and harassment and how to report this dangerous and debilitating crime, visit www.sussex.police.uk

– For further information on local support services go to Safe Space Sussex at www. safespacesussex.org.uk/

There are several organisations that specilise in providing advice and support to victims of stalking.

– Veritas is a local organisation which provides advocacy and support for victims of stalking. Find its website at www.veritasjustice.co.uk

You can contact Veritas at support@veritas-justice. co.uk or call 01273234773

– The National Stalking Helpline provides advice and guidance to current or previous victims of stalking or harassment and can be contacted on 0808 802 0300.

– The Suzy Lamplugh Trust provides practical personal safety advice. Call on 020 7091 0014.