The National Stalking Awareness Week 2024 is an annual event that is led by the Suzy Lamplugh Trust , a specialist support service for victims/survivors of stalking. 

The theme this year led by the Suzy Lamplugh Trust is ‘Join Forces Against Stalking’. Effective multi-agency working is crucial for ensuring victims of stalking are supported from their point of disclosure right through to formal reporting processes, such as the Student Conduct Process or the Police.

Check out our blog post on Sharepoint with Prof. Clive Ruggles
Monday 22 - Friday 26 April: National Stalking Awareness Week (sharepoint.com)

Social Media Handles
Standing Together will be active across the week on social media (X and Instagram)
Follow us on X
Follow us on Instagram

What is Stalking?
Stalking is defined as persistent and unwanted attention by any person including; partner, family member or stranger. To be defined as stalking, the behaviour needs to be seen as; fixated, obsessive, unwanted and repeated. This can result in the victim experiencing; alarm, distress, fear and significantly impact their quality of life. 

Often, stalkers and their tactics are perceived as less risky or trivial in society, and this impacts how victims/survivors may recognise the behaviour initially and access support. Stalking is often romanticised, and this was evident in the selection of Valentines card this year for example, such as “You say stalker... I prefer valentine” with an image of Joe Goldberg from the Netflix series – You. 

Stalkers’ tactics will focus on; surveillance, interference, life invasions and/or intimidation towards the victim. This could look like; phone calls, messages, loitering outside of the workplace, home or education setting, sending unwanted gifts, property damage or hacking electronic devices. Technology has increased accessibility for stalkers and their tactics and given 24/7 access to victims’/survivors’ lives.

Impact of Stalking:

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What to do if you are being stalked?
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The Alice Ruggles Trust has produced a three-minute animated video to help raise awareness of stalking and what to do if you are being stalked
Link to Video - https://alicerugglestrust.org/stalking-video


Links and resources:
Internal Support
- Security Team
If you have concerns for your safety on campus, you can contact the Security Team on 0116 252 2023 (Non-emergency) and 0116 252 2888 ( Emergency - Internal). All students and staff need to download the Safezone app to help inform security patrols and respond to incidents and First Aid reports.
For more information - University of Leicester - Security

- Standing Together Team
Students can disclose an incident of inappropriate behaviour, such as stalking via the university's disclosure system - -Report and Support.
Standing Together is the team that offer practical support and guidance on a 1:1 basis in a holistic and empowering manner. Standing Together will conduct risk assessments to help ensure safety measures are in place and coordinated across the university. Standing Together support students through formal processes, such as the Police and the Student Conduct Process.

- Student Wellbeing Service
Is a free, confidential and professional service which offers wellbeing support, such as counselling for registered students at the University of Leicester.
For more information - Wellbeing - Student Support Service

- Health Assured
Is an external service that the university has teamed up with to ensure students can access mental health support 24/7, this is also free and confidential
For more information - Health Assured Service

- Student Welfare Service
 Offer advice and guidance on a range of issues from student finance, maximising your income, assistance with funding applications, help in liaising with your local authority if needed, support with any personal concern you may have and coordinating support both internal and external of the university.
 For more information - Financial Wellbeing Support 

 - AccessAbility
Is available for disabled students and those with long-term conditions looking for extra support to support their university journey.
For more information - Accessability Centre

- Academic Support
Utilise personal tutors and department support team i.e. Law school - Law Support Team, Medical School - Pastoral Support Team etc.

- Leicester Student Union - Advice Service
The Student Union is independent from the university and the advice service offers; confidential, impartial advice and guidance relating to academic, budgeting, housing, signposting and wellbeing advice.
For more information - Leicester Student Union - Advice Service

External Support:
 
-Victim First
  Is the local victim support service in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland. They support victims of crime and offer; free, confidential emotional support, practical support in relation to advocacy and crime prevention, restorative justice and signposting and advice. You can access their support via their helpline or webchat facility on their website.
  Website: https://victimfirst.org/
Telephone: 0800 953 9595
 
-Leicestershire Police
If you have concerns for your safety or believe a crime has been committed, contact the police on the below numbers. You can also create an online crime report via their website.
Website: https://www.leics.police.uk/
Telephone – 101 (non-emergency) 999 (for emergency)
 
-Paladin Service
Is a specialist stalking service that provides; trauma-informed support, advice and advocacy to high-risk victims, raise awareness of the dangers and risks associated with stalking
Website: https://www.paladinservice.co.uk/
Telephone: 020 3866 4107
 
-Suzy Lamplugh Trust
  Is a specialist stalking service that provides; trauma-informed support, advice and advocacy to victims of stalking, support campaigns, training and research into personal safety, lone working and stalking.
  Website: https://www.suzylamplugh.org/
Telephone – 0808 802 0300

-Alice Ruggles Trust
Is a specialist stalking service that helps raise awareness of stalking,  and the risks associated with it, supporting training and research and campaigning for provisions for victims.
Website: https://alicerugglestrust.org/





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