Stalking can be defined as a pattern of repeated and unwanted behaviour directed towards an individual, which causes them fear, distress, or concern for their safety.

Unlike a single incident, stalking involves ongoing actions such as persistent messaging, following someone, monitoring their social media, or appearing uninvited in places they regularly visit. These behaviours may seem minor in isolation, but when they are repeated over time, they can have a serious psychological impact on the victim. In the UK, stalking is recognised as a criminal offence due to the level of harm it can cause and the risk that it may escalate into more serious forms of violence.

This issue is particularly relevant in the context of National Stalking Awareness Week 2026, which places a strong emphasis on the link between stalking and more extreme forms of harm, including homicide. The focus of this year’s campaign is important because it challenges the common misconception that stalking is simply irritating or obsessive behaviour, rather than something dangerous. Research and case studies have shown that stalking is often a precursor to more serious violence, especially in cases involving domestic abuse. This highlights the need to treat stalking as an early warning sign rather than a low-level offence.

A key theme emerging from this year’s awareness week is the importance of early intervention. In many cases, stalking behaviours begin after the breakdown of a relationship, where one individual continues to exert control through unwanted contact or surveillance. These actions are sometimes minimised or misinterpreted as emotional vulnerability; however, they can quickly escalate if not addressed. By recognising these patterns early, there is a greater opportunity for legal and social interventions to take place, potentially preventing more severe outcomes.

In addition, stalking is increasingly linked to broader contemporary issues such as digital safety and privacy. The rise of social media and mobile technology has made it easier for perpetrators to engage in what is often referred to as cyberstalking. This can include tracking someone’s location, repeatedly messaging them across multiple platforms, or monitoring their online presence. As a result, victims may feel that there is no clear boundary between their public and private lives, intensifying the sense of fear and lack of control.

Overall, the focus of National Stalking Awareness Week 2026 reinforces the idea that stalking should be taken seriously as a form of harmful and potentially escalating behaviour. By drawing attention to its connection with severe violence and homicide, the campaign encourages a shift in how stalking is perceived, promoting earlier recognition, stronger legal responses, and greater public awareness.

Our Armed Forces Helpline has new hours. Please see them below.

Monday: Phone call 9:00 – 15:00

Tuesday: Phone call and WhatsApp chat 9:00 – 15:00

Wednesday: Phone call 9:00 – 15:00 AND phone call and WhatsApp chat 17:00 – 20:00

Thursday: Phone call 9:00 – 15:00 AND phone call and WhatsApp chat 17:00 – 20:00

Friday: Phone call 9:00 – 15:00

Saturday: Helpline closed

Sunday: Phone call and WhatsApp chat 10:00 – 14:00

Our helpline can be reached on +44 (0)333 0912 527 and is for Royal Navy, British Army, and Royal Air Force personnel and their family members who are victims and survivors of Domestic Abuse, Sexual Violence or Stalking.

Read more about our helpline here

Enjoy a musical journey of Survival, Healing and Empowerment on the 1st of March to support Aurora New Dawn!

Join Kelly Fuller and a host of musical theatre friends for an evening of songs and dances from Stage and Screen, including The Greatest Showman, Wicked, Dear Evan Hansen, Rent, The Great Gatsby and many more.

Kelly has been raising funds for domestic abuse charities for many years and Titchfield Festival Theatre are delighted to be partnering her for this very special night.

From the creator of Being Alive, in aid of the domestic abuse charity Aurora New Dawn.

• When: Sunday 1st March 2026
• Doors Open: 6:00PM
• Starts: 7:00PM
• Where: Titchfield Festival Theatre – The Arden Theatre, Fareham, PO14 4BG

Book your tickets here!

The Armed Forces Bill marks a notable shift in how the Government intends to support personnel, veterans, and their families.

At Aurora New Dawn, we have spent nearly a decade delivering specialist services to victims and survivors of domestic abuse, sexual violence, and stalking within Armed Forces communities. From our perspective, the Bill presents both welcome progress and clear challenges that must be addressed if these reforms are to deliver meaningful change on the ground.

The expansion of the Armed Forces Covenant duty across all public authorities is a significant step. For too long, victims and survivors have struggled within systems that did not fully grasp the complexities of military life. A consistent legal obligation on public services has the potential to close long-standing gaps in support, but only if it is implemented with genuine accountability and a real commitment to understanding the specific ways in which victims and survivors within these communities need support, rather than relying on symbolic intent.

We also recognise the potential impact of the new Defence Housing Service. Safe, stable accommodation is fundamental to the safety and recovery of victims and survivors, particularly those whose lives are shaped by mobility, isolation, and command structures. Enforceable housing standards and the right to a dedicated housing officer are welcome moves that could reduce the housing-related risks that too many Armed Forces families currently face.

The Bill’s strengthened approach to sexual harm, domestic abuse, and stalking is a long-overdue alignment with the protections already available in civilian contexts. We are pleased that service-specific protection orders will give victims clearer routes to safety, something we have long advocated for. However, these measures must be accompanied by training, cultural change, and leadership commitment if they are to be used confidently and consistently across the chain of command.

The introduction of improved rights for victims of service offences, alongside the establishment of the Armed Forces Commissioner, signals a shift towards greater transparency. Independent oversight is essential. Victims and survivors in Armed Forces settings repeatedly tell us that fear of repercussions, rank, or reputational damage continues to deter reporting. If the Government is serious about culture change, then independence must not only exist on paper but be visible, trusted, and properly resourced.

Aurora New Dawn stands ready to support the implementation of these reforms. But we will continue to hold the Government to account to ensure that the rights introduced in Westminster translate into safety, justice, and real-world protection for victims and survivors across the British Armed Forces.

Dr Shonagh Dillon LLB, DCrimJ
CEO – Aurora New Dawn

If you are an Armed Forces personnel or family member who has been affected by domestic abuse, you can contact our independent, confidential, and free helpline for advice and support.

Today is the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women – #IDEVAW – the first day of the #16Days of Activism.

This year’s theme is #NoExcuse for online abuse – something we wholeheartedly agree with.

“What can start small, on screens – a message, a comment, or a post – can quickly spiral into a torrent of threats and violence in real life.”

Read more about 16 Days on the UN Women website and keep an eye on our website and social media over the next 16 days as we share insights, quotes, and advice from our team and service users.

It has been a little over two weeks since we held our first conference at Aurora – Joining Forces Against VAWG, Independent but Alongside. Having worked in the violence against women sector for over three decades I recognise that once a big job is ‘done’, I have a temptation just to move onto the next most stressful event. I think when you have worked in crisis for a long time the most comfortable space is always in the highest stress environments. But I promised myself I would reflect on the work we collectively did together over those two days in Portsmouth – after all the purpose of the conference wasn’t just a one and done, and I promise it wasn’t just an excuse for good food  – my goodness that food 😉…if anyone can re-create those little cake balls come see me immediately – actually don’t, that would be very bad for my menopausal waistline…

Anyway…I digress.

The first day felt like a whirlwind to begin with, on a personal level it was a bit of a gate fever moment, I just wanted to get started and get on with it. But having arrived at the conference an hour and a half prior to the conference kicking off I had to wait…patience has never been my strongest attribute.

We had long chats internally about how were going to pitch the conference to make it as interesting and accessible to all the different types of professionals in attendance. Given this was the first UK conference exploring the landscape of Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) in Armed Forces communities it was the first time we had has one room where people from MOD, Armed Forces, VAWG sector, academics, and victims, were all together. We could have got it very wrong, and we knew that – in the end we settled with just being ourselves – and once we did get started, I recognised quite quickly the atmosphere and culture of the conference was going to be quite unique.

Of course, I’d like to say that was down to us at Aurora, but that would be an outrageous exercise in misinformation. On reflection I think the success of the atmosphere created was for one simple reason – everyone wanted to be there – and let’s be honest we’ve all been to conferences we don’t want to go to. Of course, if I were to brag further I’d say everyone wanted to be there because of Aurora (you see the theme here), but that would be a lie too…everyone wanted to be there because they all want to make a difference in this space, and that is really something quite special – we need harness that energy and use it as a catalyst to propel us forward.  

It’s really important to recognise we don’t all agree, our agendas and cultures in our respective work environments are often very different – some of us challenge the state and the systems within it, and some of us work for the state and create those systems – but that is exactly what we want. We want to have respectful, inspiring, and creative dialogues where we get to the heart of the issues that we care most about and in that vein all we care about at Aurora is getting it right for victims and survivors.

At the conference, that is what everyone cared about – delegates and speakers alike.

I have lost count of the number of contacts I have made and conversations I have had following the conference – and we are proud to have been part of such a wonderful few days. In the following months we are aiming to continue the conversations and there will be an opportunity to involve yourselves in those discussions, please keep an eye on our website and social media for updates.

Ultimately, in the end it wasn’t ‘our’ conference, we merely hosted it, and because of the energy created by everyone who attended, it took on a life of its own. Aurora were simply the conduit – and that is the success we wanted – to create a movement for change, a commitment to collaboration, and a lasting legacy for victims and survivors in Armed Forces Communities.  

Dr Shonagh Dillon LLB, DCrimJ

CEO – Aurora New Dawn

If you are interested in fundraising for us, you can link to our JustGiving account here

From October 26, 2024, employers across the UK will have a new legal duty to prevent sexual harassment.
Is your organisation prepared to support staff experiencing domestic abuse, stalking, or sexual harassment?

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About the Course

This interactive five-part online programme equips HR professionals, managers, and leaders to:

• Understand your legal responsibilities
• Recognise and respond to IPV and sexual harassment
• Support colleagues safely and sensitively
• Foster a safer, survivor-centered workplace culture

Why Aurora?

• Delivered by frontline IPV professionals
• Practical, trauma-informed, and legally aligned
• Flexible delivery for your team

Who Should Attend?

• HR teams and managers
• Safeguarding leads
• EDI champions
• Senior leadership teams

Ready to prepare your organisation?

Contact us for pricing and booking:

We’re proud to launch our new report: Invisible Battles – Strengthening Advocacy and Support for the Armed Forces Community Affected by Domestic Abuse, Sexual Violence, and Stalking.

Rooted in Aurora’s deep experience working with armed forces personnel, this report sheds light on the often-overlooked experiences of victims and survivors within the armed forces community. It explores the barriers they face when seeking help and the urgent need for specialist services that truly understand and meet their unique needs.

Drawing on insights from survivors, frontline professionals, and specialist advocates, Invisible Battles outlines seven key principles – essential foundations for any frontline service supporting armed forces personnel and their families.

This report is both a tribute to the strength and resilience of survivors and a powerful call to action for frontline services and the Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) sector.

At Aurora, we’re committed to sharing best practice and fostering stronger collaboration to better support survivors. Stay tuned for further updates, including the launch of our Armed Forces Service Standards later this year.

You can read and download Invisible Battles below.

In October we’re hosting ‘Joining Forces Against VAWG – Independent but Alongside’ – the UK’s first conference bringing together the VAWG sector and the armed forces community. Get your tickets on Eventbrite here.

Find information on our armed forces services here.

The Aurora New Dawn main offices, and main office number for general enquiries, will be closed from 5pm on Thursday 17th April until 9am on Tuesday 22nd April.

The Armed Forces Helpline will be open as usual on +44 (0)333 0912 527

Available on WhatsApp chat

Easter Sunday 1000 – 1400

Easter Monday 0900 – 1500

Open by phone

Good Friday 0900 – 1500

Easter Monday 0900 – 1500

In any emergency call 999.

We wish you all a Happy Easter, and a happy long weekend if you are taking a break.

Kate* came through as a referral on our Armed Forces Advocacy service and subsequently accessed our Athena FA course. She now mentors other women through our women only groups.

As part of her journey through the work with the FA Kate is also doing all her footballing coach qualifications and now runs a U12 girls team herself.

I spent some time interviewing Kate for the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women (IDEVAW2021).

Here is that interview:

Shonagh – What would you say Kate to a victim reading this now?

Kate – I think the first thing that I would really want them to understand is that it really isn’t their fault. It really helped me when I was part of the group work when other women gave me examples of what they had experienced at the hands of their abusers. I could relate to that and now when I volunteer for the group work now, I try and do the same. It resonates with victims.

Shonagh – So what helped the most when you disclosed your experiences?

Kate – What helped the most with me was people being genuine with me. Being interested, understanding what I was saying and wanting to help, rather than just being seen to be helping, but not actually giving a shit. We can always tell the difference when someone is being genuine with us. With Aurora it worked well for me because it is just a normal conversation… you already feel as a victim that you are a bit abnormal anyway, because of the drip, drip affect of what my ex had done to me. My personality was stripped away, and I ended up fighting against my natural personality and gut instinct.

Shonagh – So what you need from professionals is people being honest and realistic and down to earth?

Kate – Yes, just giving you a chance to be honest and just to talk. Even if it isn’t to do with the abuse, just a space to gain confidence in speaking to people again, that connection with someone outside of the abuse is so important and that is what has been missing for such a long time.

Shonagh – I remember when you started group and I could see your anxiety in connecting with anyone, just walking in the room and making eye contact was such a struggle because of what you had been through. Your self-esteem was shattered.

Kate – Yea it was massive walking into that room. Even just the chit chat was so hard. I wasn’t used to that at all anymore, it wasn’t my reality. When you live with an abuser it is a bit like getting hacked, you don’t realise that there is anything wrong until things start shutting down and there are all these glitches on your hard drive.

Shonagh – That is such a good analogy.

Kate – Yeah the other one I use is the ‘Kerplunk effect’ – All these drawers are being pulled out and the marbles are dropping and all of a sudden my mind can declutter and I can focus on, well, on me to be honest.

Shonagh – So what hasn’t helped from people around you?

Kate – God I don’t know where to start… Just not having that genuine support. So considering the situation and the fact that both myself and my ex were in the forces, it became really difficult. At times I felt really vulnerable and at risk, but I did have Aurora advocating for me and my line manager was excellent, she really supported me. That friendship with my boss really made all the difference, her and my other friend were amazing, they knew something wasn’t right. I remember walking to a medical appointment and I just had this moment where I realised what was happening and I burst into tears, but without them I wouldn’t have had that moment, I trusted them so much.

Shonagh – So that made all the difference just that simple act of believing you?

Kate – Yes. And at that medical appointment I was able to talk to the doctor and he was able to give me advice. It was really interesting actually, because before the abuse started, I never went to the doctors, but by the end I was there all the time. My body was obviously physically responding to the abuse, I had the most excruciating pains in my legs, I thought it was shin splints, but it wasn’t. Even the medical appointments my ex used against me in the end, claiming they were the one needing support for stress…

I had miscarriages and everything, but nobody asked me anything, it all led me to not have any faith in anyone… if they looked at my medical records they would have known there was something not right there, but nobody asked me anything until I outright told them that day when my friends helped me.

Shonagh – Yes health professionals should routinely ask their patients if they are experiencing domestic abuse and this still doesn’t happen enough. There are so many opportunities missed because of a lack of professional curiosity.

Kate – Yes and all of my symptoms were psychosomatic because I was holding in so much trauma, I wish someone had asked me about it.

Shonagh – So tell me about how you feel when you think back six months ago when you first started the Athena course?

Kate – God it feels mad. Especially now that I have gone back to support the new women coming through. It was so weird to hear them talking and thinking back. It made me realise I said those exact same things. At first it really knocked me back, but it also helped, I just wanted to reassure them. They even said the same things we all say like “Mine isn’t as bad as anyone else’s…” and I was like fu**ing hell this is ridiculous, why do we all blame ourselves. I just want those women to get more confidence like I did…

Shonagh – Do you see a difference in yourself now?

Kate – I do, it is hard to take on the compliments sometimes. I think other people see the growth more than me. The girls football team has been everything for me, it has given me such a purpose and a focus, I love it so much and am like a real Mother hen with them. I absolutely love it!

Just when I feel shit about stuff, I concentrate on the girls team and think up random ideas and it makes me feel so good. I want to do so much stuff for them. The confidence and focus it has given me has made me go through a storage unit of my ex’s old stuff and get rid of it, I wouldn’t have been able to do that without the work I do with the girls. They inspire me, they are only young but it makes me energised each time I work with them.

Looking back at photos with my ex I am like a statue just standing there. I have nothing in me, I am just like a ghost. I know I can’t get back the woman I was…

Shonagh – Do you want to? In fact, do you even have to?

Kate – No I don’t think I do actually. I have grieved a lot. I don’t want to be put in a box anymore, I just want to be Kate, I just want to be me. I am slowly getting there…

Shonagh – Do you feel happier in yourself?

Kate – I do, I know I am crying now, but generally I am so much happier.

Shonagh – You are so entitled to cry, it is a journey and there is no quick fix to trauma, especially having been subjected to it at the hands of someone you love. It really irritates me when people expect victims and survivors to be over stuff, you take as long as you need to, to grieve for what happened to you. I understand, just because the relationship has ended, no matter how many years ago, you are still in pain.

Kate – Yes and I have to process that pain. All the stuff in my head because I did love that person. I didn’t even know how to act, and everything has changed. Just making decisions was difficult. I see a future now though and I didn’t before.

I am just thinking about what I want to do careerwise as I have left the forces. But I won’t settle for a job I don’t want. I have already had a few jobs offers which is great. It has taken me ages just to stop thinking about what my ex would think about my career choices, but I am not in that space anymore so I am able to start narrowing things down better and do what is right for me.

The best thing is I will be able to carry on all the stuff that I love, all the footballing stuff that I never even thought would exist before in my life, that is the stuff I want to hold onto because it just fills me up and makes me so happy.

Shonagh – Is there anything else you want to say?

Kate – Yes. Whatever is going on and whatever the fear is please talk to someone. Talk to a friend if you can, real true friends will be there no matter what. If you can’t talk to your friends, contact an organisation like Aurora or anyone that you can trust. Also remember sometimes it takes a few times to leave, it is all part of the confidence of it. When I finally was able to do it, I just felt ready and it stuck.

It has been over 2 years since I left my ex, I wouldn’t say I’m over it, think I’ve just put it in to perspective and made ‘me’ my priority… I hope after reading this other victims and survivors will know they are worth much more than the abuse they have experienced and they can make themselves a priority too.

A huge thank you to Kate for sharing her story.

#IDEVAW2021

*not her real name

If you would like to support our female only group work and you are able to donate you can do so here:

Aurora’s helpline – 6pm to 9am Monday to Friday and 24hrs over the weekend 02394 216 816