Help! I’m being stalked.

Stalking is a crime. Our service is here to help you and make sure you do not have to cope with stalking alone. A stalker will use as many tools as possible both online and offline to carry out their behaviours. Aurora New Dawn offers services to Thames Valley and the Armed forces, we are here to help you feel safe again.

What is stalking?

Stalking is a unique crime, driven by the fixation and obsession of the stalker and each stalking incident is different. It is a long-term pattern of behaviour that can last for weeks, months or even years. The psychological impact of persistent stalking can be absolutely devastating.

If you are experiencing stalking, we encourage you to make contact with a specialist support service.

What is a stalker?

Stalkers are not a homogeneous group. Stalking is characterised by fixation and obsession from one person to another. Stalkers often use a combination of online and offline behaviours to gain contact such as calls, texts, contacting family, friends and work, sending gifts, researching online and using fake profiles.

Aurora works to the Stalking Risk Profile model^[3] of stalking risk assessment and management. We use the Mullen, Pathe and Purcell typologies, identifying stalkers and the risks they present from their initial motivation. This identifies five distinct types of stalker.

Aurora’s Stalking Advocacy team are trained in the Stalking Risk Profile model of risk assessment and management and are experienced in advocating for clients using this shared language.

Who can help if I am being stalked?

Following changes to the law in 2012, stalking is now recognised as a criminal offence. Aurora New Dawn believes stalking is a serious offence that requires urgent intervention. Victims require and deserve extensive and long-term support. If you are being stalked please reach out to a specialist service.

If you are not sure whether you are being stalked and would like help and advice, please reach out to a specialist service.

If you are in Thames Valley or the Armed Forces, you can contact us:

• Via email: stalking.thamesvalley@aurorand.org.uk
• Or call us for advice and support on 02392479254

If you are outside of Thames Valley, you can contact:

• The Suzy Lamplugh Trust national helpline number 0808 802 0300

• Or call the Paladin National Stalking Advocacy Service on 0203 866 4107

What precautions should I take?

It may be tempting to approach the stalker yourself and ask them to stop, if you have done this please do not worry, it is a natural response. If you are receiving unwanted attention and you are concerned someone is stalking you please consider the following options:

• Keep a diary of incidents (no matter how small) that includes what happened, when, who else witnessed it and how it made you feel.

• Check your social media contacts, privacy settings and the security of your devices (for more on cyber security see here).
• Report to the police at any time and if you are in danger please do not hesitate to dial 999.

• Trust your instinct. If you are unsure and would like to talk anything through, please reach out and contact a specialist agency.

How can Aurora help me?

Our Stalking Advocates are always on hand to offer support whenever we’re needed and to ensure that victims are protected, safe and aware of their rights under the law. Importantly, this support includes support throughout the court process, ensuring that victims and survivors of stalking are supported at every stage of their journey.

Aurora works with all victims of stalking and does not require clients to report to the police in order to access specialist support.

At Aurora our sole purpose is to offer support, advice and guidance for all our beneficiaries. We offer a non-judgmental service we are here to believe you, value you and provide you with the information you need to keep you safe. Our work is trauma informed and we are very clear that for victims of stalking the negative impact on mental health can be catastrophic and incredibly difficult to live with. We will offer you practical options to maximise your safety and assess your risk as well as offer you the much needed emotional support you deserve.

You do not need to have been in a relationship with the stalker to get our support. We will assist with any case for people from age 16+.

Aurora’s experience and expertise:

We currently have services in Thames Valley, and our Armed Forces Advocacy service offers bespoke support to stalking victims who are either personnel or their dependents. Previously, we have provided services in Hampshire and IOW, at which time we were active partners of the Hants and IOW multi-agency stalking clinic. Aurora is also a member of the National Stalking Consortium. We work with our national partners to ensure a joined up approach for victims of stalking and share best practice with other organisations.

At Aurora we have developed a unique service of support having worked with stalking victims since 2013. We believe in working in true multi-agency collaboration to ensure the voices of victims are at the front and centre of the response to the pernicious crime of stalking.

We were proud to be part of the Hampshire clinic model since inception, which led the way nationally in multi-agency responses to stalking. We are delighted our services have expanded over the years and are supporting our partners in each area to develop their own unique models of support and interventions for victims and offenders. The Clinic provides a multi-faceted approach that aims to:

• Identify, assess and manage the risk posed by stalkers; minimise the risk of continued offending; identify mentally unwell stalkers and reduce their offending through appropriate intervention.
• Coordinate appropriate investigation and offender management action in relation to identified stalkers.
• Provide a comprehensive support package to victims of stalking – importantly – a dedicated, victim advocate to ensure that specialist support is available to victims, and their safety is kept central at every step of the process.

We have received and been nominated for multiple awards for our stalking work and the Hampshire clinic was highlighted as an area of best practice in 2017 by Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC). Aurora’s advocacy role was specifically mentioned^[4].

Stalking and the law

On the 25th November 2012 the government Protection of Freedoms Act came into force. This legislation contributed to the 1997 Protection From Harassment Act and enabled legislation to be much more robust for victims of stalking. The act includes the following legislation:

It is important to understand that as a victim of stalking you have the right to contact the police and have the case investigated under stalking legislation. The behaviours that occur within a course of stalking conduct can seem bizarre and unconnected and it is essential that the police look at the whole picture.

As a victim of stalking, you have a right to access an enhanced service under The Victims Code.