What is Stalking?
Stalking can be defined as persistent and unwanted attention that makes you feel pestered and harassed. It includes behaviour that happens two or more times, directed at or towards you by another person, which causes you to feel alarmed or distressed or to fear that violence might be used against you. Sometimes the problem can build up slowly and it can take a while for you to realise you are caught up in an ongoing campaign of abuse.
Stalking can be defined as persistent and unwanted attention that makes you feel pestered and harassed. It includes behaviour that happens two or more times, directed at or towards you by another person, which causes you to feel alarmed or distressed or to fear that violence might be used against you. Sometimes the problem can build up slowly and it can take a while for you to realise you are caught up in an ongoing campaign of abuse.
The problem isn’t always ‘physical’ — stalking can affect you psychologically as well. Social media and the internet are often used for stalking and harassment, and ‘cyber-stalking’ or online threats can be just as intimidating. It is important to remember that harassment and stalking can take many different forms and can include emails, instant messaging, images, chat rooms, forums or social networking sites.
Stalking can include, but is not limited to, the following:
- Making unwanted communication
- Consistently sending gifts
- Damaging property
- Monitoring a person’s use of the internet, email or any other form of electronic communication
- Loitering in any place (public or private)
- Watching or spying on an individual
Immediate and Ongoing Support
If you are on campus, or in a University building and would like support, please contact our Security Service on 0116 252 2888 who are available all day, every day. If you are in need of urgent NHS Mental Health Support you should call the 24-hour Central Access Point on 0116 295 3060. If it’s a life-threatening emergency or you need immediate help please call 999.
Students and staff can disclose an incident using the University’s Report and Support system. You can choose to do this anonymously or you can leave your email address to seek further support from Student Support.
Internal Support
Student Support Services (University):
- Standing Together team: can offer practical support and guidance in relation to unacceptable behaviours. Our work involves supporting students on a 1:1 basis, and providing holistic support options and referrals, where relevant. After an initial needs and risk assessment, we can provide students with options in relation to reporting and support – including those detailed above and below. We can also support students in accessing services and coordinating this. In order to access this support, please leave your contact email address when completing the online disclosure form. For more information, please visit the campaigns tab of this system.
- Counselling and Wellbeing team: Click here.
- Self Referral form for On-campus Counselling: Click here.
- AccessAbility team: Click here.
- Welfare team: Click here.
(particularly for financial concerns, support for underrepresented groups, and general advice and signposting)
For more information about University and Students’ Union support, please see: www.le.ac.uk/wellbeing
External Support
- National Stalking Helpline- Freephone, helpline open 09:30 - 16:00 weekdays, except for Wednesday when it is open 13:00 to 16:00. The Helpline is not open on bank holidays. Helpline 0808 802 0300.
- Paladin- The National Stalking Advocacy Service provides trauma informed support, advice and advocacy to high risk victims of stalking. Call: 0203 866 4107 9am-3pm Monday-Friday except Wednesday’s when the line is open 10am-5pm
- Victim Support- As well as emotional support to deal with the upset and trauma of this kind of behaviour, they can also provide practical help. This can include helping you to deal with the police if you decide to report incidents and helping with security measures where needed. Helpline 0808 168 9111- They also have a live chat service.
- My Support Space- Victim Support’s online resource containing an interactive guide on stalking and harassment
- Free from Fear Project- A local project within Leicester/shire supporting victims of stalking by providing emotional and practical support. You can refer into this service by calling: 07966 391 823 or by emailing stalking@wallaction.org.uk
- Freeva provides co-ordinated sexual and domestic violence services across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland for anyone over the age of 13. You do not need to report to the police to access this service. Call 0808 80 200 28
- Qwell- Online support service offering online support as well as 1-1 chat based counselling with a qualified counsellor. Counsellors are available from 12noon to 10pm on weekdays and 6pm to 10pm at weekends, every day of the year on a drop in basis. No referral is required- please visit their website to register.
- Togetherall- a free online mental health support community, available 24/7. Access a variety of courses and resources to help manage mental health. The platform is ran by trained professionals and allows users to share anonymously and receive support from others. No referral required- please visit their website to register.
For online information and guidance related to Revenge Porn, Stalking and Sextortion: https://revengepornhelpline.org.uk/resources/university-student-advice/