LiftHER

Stalking is a pattern of persistent, unwanted behaviour that causes fear, distress, or alarm. It is not about occasional contact or misunderstanding. Stalking involves repeated actions intended to monitor, harass, or intimidate someone and often escalates over time. It can happen in person, online, or through a combination of both.

In England and Wales, around 1.5 million women experience stalking each year, making it a widespread but often misunderstood form of abuse. Many women do not recognise stalking immediately, particularly when behaviours are minimised or framed as attention rather than control.

How it presents

Stalking can take many forms. In person, it may involve following someone, turning up at their home, workplace, or school, loitering nearby, sending unwanted gifts, or making repeated phone calls. Online, stalking often includes persistent messaging, monitoring social media activity, threats, or misuse of technology to track movements or access private information.

Some perpetrators target friends, family members, or colleagues to gather information or exert pressure. Others use tracking devices, spyware, or shared accounts to maintain surveillance. While stalking is sometimes dismissed as obsession or unwanted interest, the defining feature is persistence and control. What begins as repeated contact can escalate into threats or physical violence, making early recognition critical.

The impact

Stalking has a serious and lasting impact on wellbeing. Many women live with constant fear, anxiety, and hypervigilance, always anticipating the next incident. Sleep disruption, difficulty concentrating, and low mood are common, affecting work, education, and daily life.

To stay safe, victims often change routines, avoid places, limit social contact, or withdraw from employment. Cyberstalking can intensify this harm by creating the sense that there is no escape, even at home. Over time, stalking can lead to trauma-related symptoms, including post-traumatic stress and difficulty trusting others. The threat of escalation is often ever-present, leaving women feeling unsafe for prolonged periods.

The system response

Stalking is a criminal offence in the UK, but recognition and response can still be inconsistent. Police and courts usually require evidence of repeated behaviour, which can be difficult to gather when victims fear reporting or delete messages to protect their own wellbeing.

Specialist services often advise keeping a detailed log of incidents, saving digital evidence, and seeking protective measures such as Stalking Protection Orders. Despite this, many women report not being taken seriously until behaviour escalates. Legal processes can be lengthy and emotionally draining, requiring survivors to repeatedly recount their experiences. While awareness has improved, many stalking cases still fall through gaps in understanding and enforcement.