IN AN EMERGENCY CALL 999
Stalking Advocacy Service
Confidential advice and support for people affected by stalking.
Stalking became a criminal offence on the 25th of November 2012. Stalking has no single definition in legislation, which has contributed to an unacceptably low number of recorded crimes and prosecutions. However there is a nationally agreed working definition of stalking as “a pattern of fixated and obsessive behaviour, which is unwanted, repeated, persistent and intrusive and causes fear of violence or engenders alarm and distress in the victim”.
Due to the repetitive nature of stalking and the psychological stress this places on victims, coping and recovering from stalking can be difficult. Victims are often isolated, unable to turn to friends and family or professionals who lack understanding of the nature of stalking behaviour and are often quick to dismiss seemingly ‘harmless’ behaviour. Many stalking behaviours can be viewed as ‘low-level’ actions, for example delivering flowers, sending text messages, malicious social media posts, contacting friends and damaging property.
We are currently funded by the Office of the Sussex Police and Crime commissioner to provide advocacy and support to all victims of stalking across Sussex, regardless of whether they have reported to the police or not.
If you need free confidential advice and support please contact us by email or use the referral forms available on our referrals page – click here.
Are you being stalked?
The college of policing has also adopted the acronym “FOUR” in an attempt to simplify and make more visible the signs of stalking. Use the acronym below to assist you in identifying stalking.
Is the behaviour:
Fixated: Does the perpetrator’s behaviour indicate a disproportionate investment of time, effort and resources?
Obsessive: Does the perpetrator appear to have an unhealthy and persistent preoccupation with the victim(s)?
Unwanted: Does the victim report to you that the behaviour is not wanted?
Repeated: Is there a pattern of behaviour, meaning 2 or more incidents of unwanted contact whether or not they have been reported to the police?
- 1-1 advocacy support (delivered face to face and over the phone)
- Stalking specific risk assessment, safety planning
- Evidence gathering checklist
- We can liaise with police and relevant agencies on your behalf
- Be your voice in the system
- Listen to your concerns
We can support you making your victim personal statements and give you advice on restraining orders and civil remedies
- 1 -1 IT ethical interventions, cyber safety planning
- Onward signposting for ongoing support or other relevant agencies where appropriate
Veritas Justice is one of the services listed on Safe Space Sussex providing access to support for people when they are at their most vulnerable safespacesussex.org.uk