How much do you know about stalking?

How many women in Britain are stalked at some

point in their adult life? (between ages of 16 – 59)

A) 1 in 3B) 1 in 5C) 1 in 10D) 1 in 15

Answer

B) 1 in 5*

*Homicides, firearm offences and intimate violence 2009/10 (Supplementary volume 2 to Crime in England and Wales 2009/10

2nd Edition). Home Office Statistical Bulletin 01/11.

How many men in Britain are stalked at some point in their adult life? (between ages of 16 – 59)

A) 1 in 5B) 1 in 10C) 1 in 15D) 1 in 20

Answer

B) 1 in 10* Recent research by the University of Bedfordshire’s National Centre for

Cyberstalking Research showed that the primary fear of men and women stalking victims differed, with men more likely to be concerned about loss of reputation and women more concerned about the possibility of a physical assault.

*Homicides, firearm offences and intimate violence 2009/10 (Supplementary volume 2 to Crime in England and Wales 2009/10 2nd Edition). Home Office Statistical Bulletin 01/11.

A) Does the law in England and Wales include the word stalking?

B) Does the law in Scotland include the word stalking?

C) Does the law in Northern Ireland include the word stalking?

Answer

A) No – The law in England and Wales is called the Protection from Harassment Act 1997. The Act says that it is an offence to “pursue a course of conduct” that the perpetrator knows or ought to know would amount to alarm, distress or fear of violence. The lack of a definition means that the Act can cover all forms of harassment including cyberstalking.

B) Yes – Section 39 of The Criminal Justice and Licensing (Scotland) Act 2010 refers specifically to the offence of stalking. The Act lists behaviours that can be viewed as stalking and has a caveat at the end to include other behaviours that are not listed.

C) No - In Northern Ireland the Protection from Harassment Order 1997 uses the same wording as the Protection from Harassment Act 1997.

What percentage of stalking victims know their stalker? (‘know’ meaning they have had some form of prior interaction in any setting)

A) 30%B) 50%C) 70%D) 80%

Answer

D) 80%

80% of people who contacted the National Stalking Helpline had previous contact with their stalker before the behaviour began.

8.5% of people had no idea who was stalking them and 10% where being stalked by a stranger.

Just under 40% of people who contacted the Helpline were being stalked by an ex partner.

What is the maximum prison sentence a perpetrator can receive under section 4 of the Protection from Harassment Act? (section 4 is when the victim has been put in fear of violence)

a) 1 yearb) 3 yearsc) 5 yearsd) 7 years

Answer

C) 5 years

For an offence of section 2 Harassment, where there has been no threats of violence the maximum sentence is only 6 months.

Of all the Harassment offences recorded by police in 2009, only 2.2% proceeded to court and resulted in a custodial sentence.*

* Figures by NAPO, March 2011

Which of these behaviours should raise concern if it occurs as part of the stalking behaviour?

a) Vandalising or damaging propertyb) Visiting the victim at home or workc) Harassing third parties, i.e. friends, family,

childrend) Acting out violently towards other peoplee) All of the above

Answer

E) All of the above

All of the behaviours listed on the previous page are part of the Stalking Risk Checklist written by Dr Lorraine Sheridan and Karl Roberts who are international experts on stalking. You can see the full checklist on the next slide and you can download a copy from any of the stalking charities websites; www.protectionagainststalking.org, www.stalkinghelpline.org or www.nss.org.uk

1.Are you very frightened?2.Is there any previous domestic abuse and/or harassment history?3.Has (…..)ever destroyed or vandalised any of your property?4.Does (…..) turn up at your workplace, home, etc. unannounced or

uninvited more than 3 times a week?5.Does (…..) follow you or loiter around your workplace or home?6.Has (…..) made any threats of physical or sexual violence?7.Has (…..) harassed any third parties since the harassment began?8.Has (…..) acted violently towards anyone else within the stalking

incident?9.Has (…..) persuaded other people to help him/her (wittingly or

unwittingly)?10.Is (…..) known to be abusing drugs or alcohol?11.Is (…..) known to have been violent in the past?

Most stalkers are mentally ill

A) TrueB) False

Answer

B) False

Although studies show that some stalkers may suffer from mental illness, there is no evidence to suggest that most stalkers are

mentally ill.

Technology is only used by the most intelligent stalkers

A) TrueB) False

Answer

B) False

Increasingly stalkers use easily available technologies, such as mobile phones, computers, emails, GPS and cameras to track their victim. If you work with stalking victims in anyway it is important you at least understand the basic forms of cyberstalking, if you would like more information see ‘Digital Stalking: technology risks for victims’ which can be found at www.womensaid.org.uk or www.nss.org.uk

Anyone affected by stalking can call the National Stalking Helpline on 0808 802 0300 or email advice@stalkinghelpline.org

If you want any information about stalking or further statistics then please email info@stalkinghelpline.org