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Last Updated: 09/10/2024 09:31:03
Stalking Awareness Day 18 April 2013 - ‘Know the Law, Use the Law’
Tuesday, 23 April 2013 08:49
The Domestic Abuse and Violence Against Women Partnership (DAVAWP) endorses the national stalking 2013 awareness campaign “Know the Law, Use the Law”.
The DAVAWP is responsible for the development of a local strategy to tackle domestic abuse and other forms of violence against women, including stalking, throughout the region.
The DAVAWP consists of representatives from:
• Dumfries and Galloway Council (Education, Housing and Social Work Services)
• NHS Dumfries and Galloway
• The Voluntary Sector (Women's Aid - Wigtownshire, Dumfriesshire and Stewartry and the South West Rape Crisis and Sexual Abuse Centre)
• Police Scotland - Dumfries and Galloway Division
• Scottish Prison Service
• A local solicitor specialising in family law
What is stalking?
Stalking includes a range of behaviours like following, loitering nearby, maintaining surveillance, and sending unwanted gifts or messages which trigger fear and concern. Stalking can have an emotional/psychological impact on the victim and it can result in physical or sexual abuse or even murder.
More examples of stalking can include: spying; unsolicited mail, postcards, photographs gifts; repeatedly texting/emailing/leaving voicemails; using spyware; hacking into your computer, email, social media accounts; spreading rumours; threats or violence against the victim, family, friends or pets; damage to property; stealing victims belongings; going through rubbish bins, breaking into the victim’s car or home/office; applying for jobs where the victims works; joining the victim’s gym/church, professional/social/sports groups or clubs, moving into your neighbourhood or building, etc.
In general, stalkers communicate with the people they are stalking. It is not uncommon for stalkers to target friends and family. This could be in an attempt to 'get' at the victim or in revenge for helping the victim. (Source: ASAS http://www.scotlandagainststalking.com/ )
People are most commonly stalked by a former intimate partner. In Dumfries and Galloway reported incidents are low, but are treated very seriously by the police. Anyone reporting such incidents can expect to be given advice and may be referred to other partner agencies for additional support.
What to do if you think that you are (or someone is) being stalked:
• Monitor what is happening and keep a diary of it.
• Report it to the police if it continues.
• If you need further help or advice contact:
• Police: 101 or 999 if you are in immediate danger
• National Stalking Helpline: 0808 802 0300 (09:30 – 16:00 Weekdays) (except Wed 13:00 – 16:00) or e-mail advice@stalkinghelpline.org
Kerry Herriott – DAVAWP Development Officer – said: “Stalking is a crime, it can feature in abusive relationships especially after separation and can have devastating consequences. This is an opportunity to raise awareness of this issue and of the fact that now there is legal protection for victims of stalking. The DAVAWP’s vision is a Dumfries and Galloway free from any kind of violence against women, including stalking.”
For more information, please visit:
o The National Stalking Helpline: http://www.stalkinghelpline.org/
o ASAS (Action Scotland Against Stalking): http://www.scotlandagainststalking.com/
o Network For Surviving Stalking http://www.nssadvice.org/
o The Criminal Justice and Licensing (Scotland) Act http://www.legislation.gov.uk/asp/2010/13/section/39/enacted
o Domestic Abuse and Violence Against women Partnership (DAVAWP) www.dumgal.gov.uk/davawp
The DAVAWP is responsible for the development of a local strategy to tackle domestic abuse and other forms of violence against women, including stalking, throughout the region.
The DAVAWP consists of representatives from:
• Dumfries and Galloway Council (Education, Housing and Social Work Services)
• NHS Dumfries and Galloway
• The Voluntary Sector (Women's Aid - Wigtownshire, Dumfriesshire and Stewartry and the South West Rape Crisis and Sexual Abuse Centre)
• Police Scotland - Dumfries and Galloway Division
• Scottish Prison Service
• A local solicitor specialising in family law
What is stalking?
Stalking includes a range of behaviours like following, loitering nearby, maintaining surveillance, and sending unwanted gifts or messages which trigger fear and concern. Stalking can have an emotional/psychological impact on the victim and it can result in physical or sexual abuse or even murder.
More examples of stalking can include: spying; unsolicited mail, postcards, photographs gifts; repeatedly texting/emailing/leaving voicemails; using spyware; hacking into your computer, email, social media accounts; spreading rumours; threats or violence against the victim, family, friends or pets; damage to property; stealing victims belongings; going through rubbish bins, breaking into the victim’s car or home/office; applying for jobs where the victims works; joining the victim’s gym/church, professional/social/sports groups or clubs, moving into your neighbourhood or building, etc.
In general, stalkers communicate with the people they are stalking. It is not uncommon for stalkers to target friends and family. This could be in an attempt to 'get' at the victim or in revenge for helping the victim. (Source: ASAS http://www.scotlandagainststalking.com/ )
People are most commonly stalked by a former intimate partner. In Dumfries and Galloway reported incidents are low, but are treated very seriously by the police. Anyone reporting such incidents can expect to be given advice and may be referred to other partner agencies for additional support.
What to do if you think that you are (or someone is) being stalked:
• Monitor what is happening and keep a diary of it.
• Report it to the police if it continues.
• If you need further help or advice contact:
• Police: 101 or 999 if you are in immediate danger
• National Stalking Helpline: 0808 802 0300 (09:30 – 16:00 Weekdays) (except Wed 13:00 – 16:00) or e-mail advice@stalkinghelpline.org
Kerry Herriott – DAVAWP Development Officer – said: “Stalking is a crime, it can feature in abusive relationships especially after separation and can have devastating consequences. This is an opportunity to raise awareness of this issue and of the fact that now there is legal protection for victims of stalking. The DAVAWP’s vision is a Dumfries and Galloway free from any kind of violence against women, including stalking.”
For more information, please visit:
o The National Stalking Helpline: http://www.stalkinghelpline.org/
o ASAS (Action Scotland Against Stalking): http://www.scotlandagainststalking.com/
o Network For Surviving Stalking http://www.nssadvice.org/
o The Criminal Justice and Licensing (Scotland) Act http://www.legislation.gov.uk/asp/2010/13/section/39/enacted
o Domestic Abuse and Violence Against women Partnership (DAVAWP) www.dumgal.gov.uk/davawp
Page last updated: 20/05/2022
