This week is National Stalking Awareness Week 2020. The Suzy Lamplugh Trust is calling on the Government to ensure that victims of stalking are recognised during the Covid-19 lockdown.
Calls to the National Stalking Helpline, run by the Trust, indicate that victims are still being stalked despite lockdown, particularly through online methods and social media, says the charity the Suzy Lamplugh Trust.
The impact that stalking can have on the victim is huge, particularly in terms of their mental well-being, the Trust adds. It infiltrates all aspects of a victim’s life which can be immensely traumatic. The Covid-19 virus lockdown means that stalkers are now able to almost guarantee where their victim will be for most of the time, the Trust says. One caller to the National Stalking Helpline described feeling like a ‘sitting duck’ during the lockdown.
Suky Bhaker, CEO of the Suzy Lamplugh Trust said: “Stalking is a crime of psychological terror that impacts on all aspects of a victim’s life, often in ways that are long-lasting and irreparable. During the immensely difficult circumstances that many are experiencing amidst the Covid-19 pandemic, it is essential that victims of stalking are not forgotten and that essential services continue to support them. We know from the calls we have received to the National Stalking Helpline in recent weeks that stalking victims need support as much as ever and we want to reiterate our message that we are here to support you.”
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At Gwent Police, Detective Chief Inspector and force lead on stalking and harassment, Steve Maloney said: “Gwent Police recognise ‘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.’
“Over the last 12 months, we’ve provided education and awareness training to our front line staff which has led to suspects responsible for this type of crime being successfully prosecuted and survivors of this crime provided with additional support in the way of restraining orders.
“We appreciate the uncertainty at the moment in relation to COVID-19, but this remains a priority for Gwent Police and we will continue to tackle this form of crime.”
And Hertfordshire Detective Supt Stuart Cheek, who is strategic lead for the force on stalking, said: “Stalking is something that Hertfordshire Constabulary takes very seriously and that is why we are supporting this week.
“We want to make sure victims and witnesses can recognise stalking behaviour as a criminal act and something that should be reported to police. It is sadly the case that some perpetrators have gone on to commit serious assaults or even murder against their victims, therefore it is vital that early warning signs are understood and victims feel able to ask for help.
For ways to contact the helpline – calls are free on 0808 802 0300 – visit https://www.suzylamplugh.org/refer-someone-to-us. See also an advice sheet for victims. The Helpline responds to over 3,500 requests for help a year, and about 75 per cent of calls are from people who have been stalked by some kind of technologically-assisted means.
