April 24 is National Stalking Awareness Day. A Working Without Fear Conference will be held in central London to inform employers about the issue of stalking in the workplace.
Rachel Griffin, Director of Suzy Lamplugh Trust, which manages the National Stalking Helpline and National Stalking Awareness Day, says: “The issue of stalking in the workplace is far more common than many people think. Research shows that in the UK, one in give women and one in ten men are stalked at some point in their lives (British Crime Survey 2011). Stalkers can be colleagues or clients – and of those stalkers who are not, 50pc will still present themselves at the victim’s workplace. This creates risk not only for the victim but also their colleagues or manager who may have to interact with the stalker if they do turn up to the premises.”
Stalking is repeated unwanted contact from one person to another which demonstrates either a fixation or obsession and cause the victim to feel alarm, distress or fear of violence. Stalkers who are not related to the workplace often make contact with the victim there because of ease of access or simply in order to cause them further distress.
The conference is aimed at Employers, Police, Support Workers, HR Managers, Facilities Managers, Trade Unions and Security Officers. The conference will cover:
Support and protection for those stalked at work
Understanding the stalking experience
Policing and the law
Assessing risk
The role of unions
Speakers include:
ELFYN LLWYD MP Plaid Cymru; SIOBHAN BLAKE Deputy District Crown Prosecutor for Wales; RACHEL GRIFFIN Suzy Lamplugh Trust; ACC GARRY SHEWAN Greater Manchester Police.
Email: [email protected] | Telephone: 020 7091 0014
Website: www.suzylamplugh.org
