Police seek to raise awareness of digital stalking
Derbyshire police are raising awareness of digital stalking as part of a national campaign.
Today (April 18) marks National Stalking Awareness Day. As well as offering advice to people who suspect they are being stalked, Derbyshire police have also invited digital stalking expert Jennifer Perry to hold a special training session at Ripley headquarters this afternoon.
The seminar is for police officers, staff and partners to raise awareness of stalking, better equip people with the expertise to gather evidence and teach them how to provide the best possible support for victims.
The law has recently changed, meaning that stalking is now a criminal offence. Police are concerned that although the legislation came into effect four months ago, victims are still not coming forward to get the help and advice available.
Stalking is unwanted contacted with a person, but this is not just limited to physical stalking. As technology has advanced, so too has the means by which people can target and stalk their victims. It can take the form of unwanted texts, letters, emails and phone calls. One in five women and one in ten men will be stalked at some point in their lives.
People who stalk their victims online often monitor their posts on social networking sites to see where they go and who they are with. They can hack into their victim’s online accounts, send hurtful or threatening messages via the internet or even put spyware software on phones or computers to monitor their victim.
Police are urging people to take the following action if they think they are being stalked;
- Tell the police, friends, family and colleagues about what is happening
- Make sure you get good, practical advice. Contact the National Stalking Helpline for support
- Gather evidence against your stalker. Keep any texts or messages as evidence
- Keep a diary and log any contact and details of what has happened
- Don’t post too much information on your social network sites. Private message or text your friends instead
Detective Inspector Hayley Barnett from the force’s Public Protection department said: “People often assume that stalkers follow their victims to their place of work, or send them presents. But with the development of technology, cyber stalking is becoming more common.
“We want to make people aware of this and encourage them to come forward to speak to the police if they believe they’re being targeted. Stalking is illegal and is unacceptable in any form.
“We are here to offer help and support to victims and I’m very pleased that Jennifer agreed to provide extra training to officers, staff and partners so we can be more effective in how we tackle cyber stalking.”
Jennifer Perry said: “Stalking awareness and training are really important because taking action quickly reduces the risks and harm to victims from stalking.
"Technology is increasing stalking. It makes it easier to monitor, harass, threaten and humiliate victims 24 hours a day, seven days a week. A stalker can cause a lot of damage without ever leaving their home."
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