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Stalking and harassment: Support and advice

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Though this campaign is focused on women and girls, we recognise that anyone can be a victim of abuse and violence. Some of the information and guidance on this page is not specific and will be relevant to everyone, and you can also find specialist services at the bottom of this webpage.

Support for everyone

reported instances of violence against women and girls* in North East Lincolnshire in 2023/24

of women were victims of stalking and harassment last year

*Violence against women and girls (VAWG) is an umbrella term used to cover a wide range of abuses against women and girls such as domestic abuse, sexual assault, female genital mutilation (FGM), forced marriage and harassment in work and public life.

Figures from Office of National Statistics, 2023 and Suzy Lampugh Trust.

Advice for victims

It is not your fault if you are the victim of stalking or harassment, however, there is some advice to help you feel safer:

  • Log everything and keep a record of what happens.
  • If you are able to do so safely, film the incidents. This could be with a doorbell camera or security footage.
  • Don’t keep it to yourself and make others aware of what is going on. This will help keep you safe, but also offer you a support system.
  • Try not to engage with the person who is stalking or harassing you.
  • Lock down your social media privacy settings.
  • If you ever feel like you are being followed in your car, drive to the nearest open supermarket if this is closer than a police station. They often have security at the front door, are busy with other people and have cameras in the car park.
  • Reach out to support services as soon as possible. These people are experts and will be able to help.

What is stalking and harassment?

The Suzy Lampugh Trust defines stalking as “A pattern of fixated and obsessive behaviour which is repeated, persistent, intrusive and causes fear of violence or engenders alarm and distress in the victim.”

Stalking can be spotted by remembering FOUR – stalking behaviour is often

  • Fixated
  • Obsessive
  • Unwanted
  • Repetitive

Stalking can consist of any type of behaviour such as regularly sending flowers or gifts, making unwanted or malicious communication, damaging property and physical or sexual assault.

If the behaviour is persistent and clearly unwanted, causing you fear, distress or anxiety then it is stalking and you don’t have to live with it.

Stalking can happen with or without fear of violence. This means that if you are receiving persistent unwanted contact that is causing you distress but the person has never threatened you, this is still stalking and is not acceptable.

  • Harassment may include
  • Sending abusive text messages or images
  • Posting abusive messages on social media
  • Neighbour disputes that involve abusive behaviour or damage to property
  • Repeated antisocial behaviour
  • Making unwanted or offensive phone calls
  • Bullying at school or in the workplace
  • Using the internet to harass someone
  • Sending unwanted gifts

It’s harassment if the unwanted behaviour has happened two times or more and made you feel distressed or threatened.

Protection from Harassment Act (1997) (s2) explains that: harassment causes harm or distress, putting people in fear in any reasonable situation and a fear of violence; and there will be repeated attempts of imposed communications.

Your stories

Hearing the stories of women who have experienced these situations is important to tell us where we’re going wrong, giving us ideas and helping us make sure victims are not afraid to speak up and be heard.

They have been where you might be now and have come out of the other side to be brave and inspiring survivors.

  • It seemed that everywhere I went, he wouldn’t be far behind.
  • My son brought home a gift – we found a tracker in it.
  • I couldn’t prove it was my ex-husband, but I knew.
  • He will just keep calling and calling until I answer.

*Please note, the images, names and stories have been altered to protect the identity of the women who told us their stories.

Get support

Please call 999 if you are in immediate danger. If you cannot speak, press 55 when prompted.

Report crimes, issues or incidents.

Help and advice for victims of stalking.

Free, confidential service for victims of crime.

Domestic abuse support, help and advice.

Support services for victims of stalking.


Other services

Abuse and violence are never okay under any circumstances. There are specialist services who can help.

Culturally specific support

Older people

Support for people with a disability