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Good morning The below is an extract from the Staffordshire Police Web-site containing information about Stalking. Please take your time to read the information if you, or somebody you know is, or has been affected by this.
Stalking and harassment is when someone repeatedly behaves in a way that makes you feel scared, distressed or threatened. There are different types of stalking and harassment and anyone can be a victim. Stalking and harassment are offences under the Protection from Harassment Act 1997. HarassmentSomeone you know could be harassing you, like a neighbour, or people from your local area or it could be a stranger. Harassment may include: bullying at school or in the workplace cyber stalking (using the internet to harass someone) antisocial behaviour sending abusive text messages sending unwanted gifts unwanted phone calls, letters, emails or visits It's harassment if the unwanted behaviour has happened more than once. Sexual harassmentSexual harassment is unlawful, as a form of discrimination, under the Equality Act 2010. The Act says it’s sexual harassment if the unwanted behaviour: violates your dignity creates an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating or offensive environment (this includes the digital environment, online)
sexual comments, jokes or gestures staring or leering at your body using names like ’slut’ or ‘whore’ unwanted sexual communications, like emails, texts, DMs sharing sexual photos or videos groping and touching someone exposing themselves pressuring you to do sexual things or offering you something in exchange for sex Some of these are also forms of sexual or indecent assault. If you’ve experienced any of these it’s not your fault and you don’t have to put up with it. You can report it to us. If you don’t feel ready to contact us, you can report anonymously to Crimestoppers. StalkingStalking is like harassment, but it's more aggressive. The stalker will have an obsession with the person they're targeting. Someone you know could be stalking you; an ex partner or a person you were friends with, or it might be a stranger. If it's someone you know, or knew, it doesn't mean that it's your fault; it's still stalking and it's an offence. Stalking may include: regularly following someone repeatedly going uninvited to their home checking someone’s internet use, email or other electronic communication hanging around somewhere they know the person often visits interfering with their property watching or spying on someone identity theft (signing-up to services, buying things in someone's name) It's stalking if the unwanted behaviour has happened more than once. The four warning signs of stalkingIf the behaviour you're experiencing is: Fixated You can report the crime or you can contact the National Stalking Helpline for more advice. Online stalking and harassmentSocial networking sites, chat rooms, gaming sites and other forums are often used to stalk and harass someone, for example: to get personal information to communicate (calls, texts, emails, social media, creating fake accounts) damaging the reputation spamming and sending viruses tricking other internet users into harassing or threatening identity theft threats to share private information, photographs, copies of messages How to report stalking or harassmentIf you, or someone you know, has been a victim of stalking or harassment there are a few different ways you can report it to the police. We understand it can be difficult. Our officers and partner organisations are here to listen and work together to support you in any way we can. Importantly, your information could help us bring the offender to justice and make sure you, and other people in a similar situation, are kept safe. Is it an emergency?
Is someone in immediate danger? Is a crime taking place or has one just happened? If so, call 999 now and ask for the police. If you're deaf or hard of hearing, use our textphone service 18000 or text us on 999 if you’ve pre-registered with the emergencySMS service. Report onlineIf you’d like to report online, rather than speaking to an officer by telephone in the first instance, you can use our online crime reporting service which is secure and confidential. All reports made using this service are reviewed by our 24/7 contact centre within a few hours and an officer will get back to you in a maximum of two days (although usually quicker). Call 101If you’d like to talk to someone, our national non-emergency telephone number is staffed 24/7. Call us on 101 and report what happened or just get some advice. Visit a police stationIf you’d like to speak to an officer in person, we can provide a safe and comfortable environment at any of our police stations.
Kind Regards Police Community Support Officer 17017 Costas Karpi
Areas covered: Mease Tame & Whittington, Bourne Vale & Fazeley Rural & Wildlife Crime Officer Lichfield District
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