Stalking is one of the most frequently experienced forms of abuse
It is insidious and terrifying and can escalate to rape and murder. There are many misconceptions about what stalking is, it is not romantic, it is about fixation and obsession, it is a crime and it can destroy lives.
Stalking is a pattern of repeat and persistent unwanted behaviour that is intrusive and engenders fear. It is when one person becomes fixated or obsessed with another and the attention is unwanted. threats may not be made but victims may feel scared. Even if there is no threat, this is still stalking and it is a crime.
Data from the crimes survey of England and Wales (Year ending March 2019) estimates that 952’000 Women were stalked, 279’000 of those cases were stalked by a current or ex-partner.
1 in 5 women will experience stalking in their adult life (Office for National Statistics 2013).
Victims do not tend to report to the police until the 100th incident. (Sheridan 2005).
Statistics show that the majority of victims (80%) are female, while the majority of perpetrators (70%) are male. (National Stalking Helpline 2011).
Stalking is often used as a pattern of coercive control in the perpetration of domestic abuse. In 2020 Paladin, the National Stalking Advocacy Service evidenced domestic abuse as a prevalent factor in 89% of referred cases.
The Metropolitan Police Service found that 40% of victims of domestic homicides had also been stalked (ACPO Homicide Working Group 2003).
Services at the Centre
The Emily Davison Centre works in close partnership with the National Stalking Advocacy Service, PALADIN. There are two Independent Stalking Advocacy Case Workers (ISAC) based at the centre. ISAC’s ensure high-risk victims of stalking are supported and that a co-ordinated community response is developed locally to keep victims and their children safe. The ISAC’s work closely with the Police, probation, local authorities, crown prosecution service and domestic abuse specialists.
For more information about this service, telephone: 020 3866 4107 | www.paladinservice.co.uk | info@paladinservice.co.uk | Twitter @paladinservice | Instagram @paladin_nsas
To make a direct referral to Paladin please follow the link below: https://paladinservice.co.uk/advice-for-victims/referring-cases-to-paladin/