{"id":273,"date":"2025-12-09T09:30:06","date_gmt":"2025-12-09T09:30:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.bath.ac.uk\/never-ok\/?p=273"},"modified":"2025-12-09T09:30:06","modified_gmt":"2025-12-09T09:30:06","slug":"stalking","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.bath.ac.uk\/never-ok\/2025\/12\/09\/stalking\/","title":{"rendered":"Stalking"},"content":{"rendered":"

This blog post is part of a series of posts written by specialist support staff from the University of Bath\u2019s Sexual Violence and Domestic Abuse Response Service (SVDARS)<\/a>, as part of the UN's yearly 16 Days of Activism Campaign<\/a> working to end gender-based violence. \u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

Stalking can take many forms and is a serious issue that can affect anyone. When we think about stalking, it\u2019s easy to picture the sensationalised image often portrayed in the media - a stranger lurking in the shadows. While this type of offender does exist, statistics show that harm is more likely to be perpetrated by someone known to the victim. In fact, the latest crime survey highlights that over 80% of stalking victims knew their stalker in some capacity<\/strong> (Office of National Statistics, 2025).<\/p>\n

By raising awareness, we can challenge common myths about stalking and ensure you feel informed about where to get help - whether for yourself or for a friend.<\/p>\n

What is stalking?<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Suzy Lamplugh Trust<\/a> defines 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.\u2019 A useful way to remember the checklist is that there are FOUR key elements of stalking, the behaviour is:<\/p>\n

F<\/strong>ixated<\/p>\n

O<\/strong>bsessive<\/p>\n

U<\/strong>nwanted and<\/p>\n

R<\/strong>epeated<\/p>\n

Our culture often normalises, minimises, and even romanticises these behaviours. We\u2019re taught to believe that refusing to take \u201cno\u201d for an answer is romantic, or that constant calls and messages mean someone truly cares. Stalking is not<\/strong> a sign of love; it can be a warning sign for even more dangerous behaviour in the future.<\/p>\n

Stalking behaviours can include:<\/p>\n