Added April 29th, 2010 in NSS News

The first dedicated information and advice service for people affected by stalking or harassment will start operating from today.  Launched as a result of a collaboration between Network for Surviving Stalking, Protection Against Stalking and Suzy Lamplugh Trust, the helpline  will offer information, advice and guidance for anyone affected by stalking and harassment via a telephone line (0300 636 0300) email service (advice@stalkinghelpline.org)  and website (www.stalkinghelpline.org)

The helpline is being set up by Network for Surviving Stalking, Protection Against Stalking and Suzy Lamplugh Trust.  Helpline staff will offer practical advice to people about personal safety; how to collect evidence and what to do about the different stalking behaviours – such as silent phone calls or malicious communications.  It will also provide information about the two different legal routes that can be taken under the Protection Against Harassment Act. Whilst the service aims to assist anyone who has a query regarding stalking, people are generally advised to contact their local police if they feel they are being harassed, and to call 999 if they feel they are in immediate danger.

Every police force in England and Wales now has a dedicated officer or officers to deal with the victims of stalking and harassment and helpline staff will be able to liaise with them when necessary.  ACPO lead on stalking and harassment Assistant Chief Constable Garry Shewan, said:  “ACPO is pleased to support this helpline. It’s the first of its kind and a major step forward for victims.”

The launch of the helpline is welcomed by victims’ groups and campaigners alike.  Tracey Morgan, stalked by a former work colleague for nearly ten years says, “It’s a fantastic breakthrough to have a dedicated service for victims – things have come a long way since I was first stalked.  It’s a start and we will work hard to build upon this service so that victims no longer suffer in silence as I had to.”

Tricia Bernal, whose daughter Clare was murdered by a stalker in Harvey Nichols in 2005 says “I am so pleased that we now have a dedicated service for people who are being stalked – if people are concerned about someone’s obsessive behaviour then they really must trust their instinct and do something about it. Phoning or emailing the helpline is the first step.”

Carol Faruqui’s daughter Rana was murdered by an ex-boyfriend who stalked her. She says, “I think that she would have phoned a line like this. She would have wanted to do what she could to help herself. Basically, there has been nothing for victims of stalking until now.”

The helpline is being funded by the Home Office, the Zochonis Trust and another private funder.  Funding has been secured for 2 years.  The helpline will be open during business hours and calls will cost the standard national rate.

Ends

Editor’s Notes:

• The helpline is being set up by Network for Surviving Stalking, Protection Against Stalking and Suzy Lamplugh Trust.  It’s been funded by the UK Home Office, the Zochonis Trust and another private funder.  Funding has been secured for 2 years.
• For additional facts and figures about stalking and harassment please see the following web-sites www.nss.org.uk or www.protectionagainststalking.org
• To arrange an interview with Assistant Chief Constable Garry Shewan  contact  ACPO press office on 0207 084 8948 or email swilliams@acpo.pnn.police.uk
• To interview people with experience of stalking, including Tricia Bernal, Carol Faruqui, Tracey Morgan and Claire Waxman, contact 07970 792986 or email media@nss.org.uk
• To interview Chief Executive of Network for Surviving Stalking Alexis Bowater contact 07970 792986 or email media@nss.org.uk
• To interview Acting Chief Executive of  Suzy Lamplugh Trust Jenny Fawson about the setting up of the helpline, contact 07970 792986 or email media@nss.org.uk
• To interview Criminal Behavioural Psychologist Laura Richards about stalking and the potential risk of violence contact 07970 792986 or email media@nss.org.uk

FAQs on National Stalking Helpline

Who is the Helpline aimed at?

It’s aimed at victims of stalking and harassment, their friends and family.

What advice will the Helpline offer?

• Practical advice including how to collect or preserve evidence, personal safety and what to do about different stalking behaviours e.g. silent phone calls or malicious letters.
• It will also provide advice about the two different legal routes that can be taken i.e. civil or via the police.
• It offers information about how to report stalking to the police, what to expect when you report an incident and what to take with you.

What are the opening hours of the Helpline?

Weekdays 9:30 to 16:00, except Wednesdays when it will be open 13:00 to 16:00. The Helpline will not be open on bank holidays.

What’s the number?

0300 636 0300. There is also a website at www.stalkinghelpline.org and victims will also be able to access advice via email.

How much will calls to the helpline cost?

Calls will cost the same as calling any national number (e.g. 01 or 02 numbers) and will cost the same amount from mobiles.

Will the helpline cover Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland too?

The laws against stalking and harassment are different in Scotland and Northern Ireland, so some of the advice will be slightly different. However, we welcome calls from anyone who is in need of advice and guidance on stalking or harassment issues.

Who is running the helpline?

There will be a single line operated by a small team of trained staff to begin with. We will constantly be monitoring the level of demand for the service and assessing the need to seek further funding.

How is the service being funded?

Initially, the helpline is being funded by the Home Office, the Zochonis Charitable Trust and a second private trust.

How do you know there is a need for this service?

According to the British Crime Survey, nearly 20% of women and 10% of men have been the victim of stalking and harassment at some point in their lives. Over the past year, Suzy Lamplugh Trust has been taking calls from victims on an ad hoc basis – there is clearly a need for victims of stalking and harassment to access advice, guidance and reassurance.

How will the Helpline work with police?

The helpline has the full support of the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO). Every force in the country has nominated a Single Point of Contact (SPOC) to deal with victims of stalking and harassment and the helpline will have an open dialogue with these officers.  In extreme cases the helpline will make referrals to these SPOCs; our number one priority is the victim.

Background on Interviewee Panel

Alexis Bowater is Chief Executive of the charity Network for Surviving Stalking.  Alexis anchored ITV West Country news for seven years. During her fifteen years working in the media she has had experience of stalking on 3 separate occasions.

Jenny Fawson is Joint Chief Executive of Suzy Lamplugh Trust, the UK’s leading personal safety charity. The Trust was established in 1986 by Paul and Diana Lamplugh after their daughter Suzy went missing whilst working as an estate agent. It played a vital role in establishing the Protection Against Harassment Act in 1997. Now 24 years on from its inception, the charity continues to enable people to avoid becoming victims of violence and aggression.

Laura Richards is a criminal behavioural psychologist who has worked in intelligence and serious crime for the last decade at New Scotland Yard. She advises the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO), Police Services across the UK and the Home Office on violent crime and public protection. She is also consultant to Co-ordinated Action against Domestic Abuse (CAADA) and has more recently been asked to be Director of the Protection Against Stalking. The Trust was established by three mothers Tricia Bernal, Carol Faruqui and Stella Moore, whose daughters, Clare, Rana and Tania were murdered by their stalkers.

Assistant Chief Constable Garry Shewan from Greater Manchester Police is ACPO lead on Stalking and Harassment.

Tricia Bernal’s 22 year old daughter Clare was killed by a stalker in Harvey Nichols on 13^th September 2005. Since her daughter’s death Tricia has campaigned tirelessly on behalf of stalking victims. With Carol Faruqui, Ray Donelan and Laura Richards she’s founded Protection Against Stalking. PAS has 8 key objectives – one of which is the establishment of a National Stalking helpline.  For more information visit www.protectionagainststalking.com.

Carol Faruqui’s daughter Rana was murdered on 2nd August 2003 by a former partner who had been stalking her for 3 months. Failed by the police and the courts, Carol is determined to show that Rana’s life ‘was not for nothing’
and that her death would not be in vain so, with Tricia Bernal, has helped establish the campaigning charity Protection Against Stalking. PAS is dedicated to increasing awareness of stalking through communication and education, and promotes thorough risk assessment and early intervention – and help prevent a tragedy like this from ever happening
again.

Tracey Morgan has campaigned for the rights of stalking victims for over 15 years. She was stalked by a former work colleague and her case and subsequent campaign led to the Protection From Harassment Act 1997. Tracey’s spoken out about stalking to audiences across the UK, including the police, CPS, magistrates and victims’ groups and in the media. She is a member of the ACPO Working Group on Stalking/Harassment, she founded Network For Surviving Stalking and although no longer involved, is still passionate about the needs and rights of victims.  Her website is www.survivingstalking.com

Claire Waxman has endured 7-years of harassment from a stalker. She’s spoken out about the crime in a bid to improve the rights of victims and has founded Claire’s campaign on Facebook, as well as launching a Downing St petition.

Background briefing on stalking

Stalking is a term describing the repeated following of, communication with or other intrusions of privacy of an individual. (Association of Chief Police Officers)

Stalking behaviour can involve malicious phone calls, being followed, being bombarded by texts or emails, being sent presents.  Some stalking cases lead to violence including rape and murder. Find more information about assessing the risk of violence a stalker may pose at http://www.nss.org.uk/risk/ or www.protectionagainststalking.org

Stalking isn’t a ‘one off’ crime.  It’s a series of incidents – taken in isolation they can appear trivial (bumping into someone outside your house for example or getting text messages) but put them together and they become far more sinister.

Over 1.2 million women and 900,000 men are stalked every year according to the British Crime Survey.

8% of women and 6% of men are stalked every year. (BCS)

19% of women and 12% of men have experienced stalking or harassment at some point in their lives. (BCS)

50% of stalking cases involve ex-partners. Statistically these victims are at a higher risk of violence.

Early intervention in a stalking case is important – it can stop it and gives the victim the best chance of protection.

Many people don’t recognise what’s happening until it’s too late. A study of over 2000 stalking victims published in Sept 2009 (Sheridan & NSS) revealed that 77% of victims didn’t report the crime until over 100 incidents had taken place.