If you are experiencing unwanted, repeated, obsessive and/or fixated behaviour or harassment from someone that is causing you fear or distress, you may be being stalked. Stalking behaviour can take many forms, and is often carried out by someone you know, such as an ex-partner. There are a number of ways in which you can access support if you are being stalked.
Practical advice: If you are being stalked, there are a number of things you can do to protect yourself.
- Do not engage with your stalker in any way. Do not agree to meet with them
- Talk to family, friends, neighbours or colleagues about the harassment if you feel comfortable doing so
- Be cautious of how much personal information you have online and take steps to protect your data
- Above everything, trust your instincts
If you think you are being followed, head to a public place, a shop or your nearest police station.
University support services
- Report + Support allows students and staff to report incidents either anonymously or with contact details for follow-up. The service also provides information on a range of different incidents, along with both internal and external support services.
- Student Wellbeing Services can provide information and advice to help support students for a number of issues and direct them to more specialist support services. They also have a counselling service which provides one-to-one, confidential support for students, in the form of short-term counselling or referral to specialised support services.
- The Advice Hub offer free, impartial and confidential advice to students about a range of issues, including mental health and wellbeing.
- Respect Ambassadors are staff members who can provide confidential guidance and support to staff who have witnessed or experienced inappropriate behaviour or are having a difficult time.
- Care First is a health package for staff, which offers support for a range of practical and emotional issues, as well as one-to-one counselling sessions.
Reporting to the Police Stalking is an criminal offence and any incidents should be reported to the Police. If you are being threatened or are in immediate danger, please contact emergency services .
Scottish Campuses and UK Specific:
The Suzy Lamplugh Trust provides further help and advice for dealing with stalking.
If you are unsure of whether you are being stalked, you can access the ‘Am I Being Stalked?’ online tool, which provides information on local services, methods of reporting, improving your personal safety and ways to gather evidence.
Stalking is an criminal offence, and any incidents should be reported to Police Scotland by visiting your local police station, online or by calling 101. You can also report the incident anonymously by calling Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. If you are being threatened or are in immediate danger, please call 999.