Stalking
Stalking is when someone watches, follows, or bothers you repeatedly, making you feel unsafe and scared.
This can also include receiving unwanted gifts or attention, or turning up invited when you are seeing your friends or family. These behaviours can be perceived as romantic, but if it’s non-consensual, breaks your boundaries and makes you feel comfortable that’s abuse.
If you ever feel like someone is following you or bothering you in a way that makes you uncomfortable, it’s important to get help and tell someone.
Useful help and advice
Paladin, the National Stalking Advisory Service has the following advice:
- Trust yourself and your instincts
- Report it as early as possible to the police and tell others what is happening
- Get advice from Paladin or the Suzy Lamplugh Trust
- Keep evidence of what’s happening, try writing a diary