Help Offered for Victims of Stalking On the Yorkshire Coast

Victims of stalking are being reminded that support is available to help them cope with their ordeals ahead of a series of events during national Stalking Awareness Week.

North Yorkshire Council staff will be joined by police and professionals from Independent Domestic Abuse Services (IDAS) at help and advice events to be held in Scarborough, Kirkbymoorside, and Whitby between Wednesday and Friday (April 23 and 25).

Nationally, the theme of the week is Health Response: Spotting Stalking and will promote how specialist stalking services work with the healthcare sector to recognise victims of stalking, both men and women, and ensure they access the support they need.

In North Yorkshire, emphasis will also be placed upon informing people of the county’s multi-agency approach to the crime.

Stalking and harassment are offences under the Protection from Harassment Act 1997.

According to the Office for National Statistics, one in five women, or 20.2 per cent, have experienced stalking at some point since the age of 16. The same can be said for 8.7 per cent of men.

In the year ending March 2024, one in 25 aged 16 years and over was a victim of stalking. In the same period, 2.3 per cent of men were a victim.

North Yorkshire Council’s head of community safety, Odette Robson, said: 

“Victims of stalking should not live in fear. They should know that by reporting incidents to the police they will be listened to and given the support they need.

“Stalking Awareness Week provides us with an opportunity to get this message out there, but these services are available 24/7 throughout the year.

“Together with our partners we want to make clear that behaviour such as this is not acceptable, and victims should not suffer in silence.

“I would encourage everyone to visit our stands and find out how to identify stalking and harassment, learn how it can be reported and discover what help is out there to enable people to move on with their lives.”

North Yorkshire Police’s lead for stalking, Detective Inspector Clare Crossan, said stalking was a strategic priority for the force, with a dedicated team of specialists to support the most high-risk cases and provide advice to frontline officers.

She said: 

“We recognise the devastating impact that stalking can have on victims, not to mention the alarming statistics that show many women who are murdered have been stalked prior to their death.

“However, it can also happen to men and our Stalking Support Team currently support a number of high-risk cases involving male victims.

“We believe it is under-reported as many people find it hard to report stalking or harassment and may also not be aware of the signs.

“We urge anyone who believes they are being stalked to get help straight away. If you are not ready to contact the police, there are a number of organisations that can help you including the Suzy Lamplugh Trust and Paladin. But please always call 999 in an emergency.”

This week's events are taking place as follows:

• Wednesday April 23: Co-op, Kirkbymoorside, 4pm to 6pm;  
• Wednesday April 23: Scarborough TEC, Filey Road, Scarborough, 10am to 1pm.
• Friday April 25: Whitby Library, Windsor Terrace, Whitby, 10am to 12pm.

The National Stalking Helpline is available on 0808 802 0300) and people can also use a useful online tool at https://www.suzylamplugh.org/am-i-being-stalked-tool

If you are in immediate danger, call 999. If it is not safe to speak when you call 999 on your mobile, press 55 this lets the 999 operator know your call is genuine.

If you believe that you are being stalked or harassed report it on 101 or online via https://www.northyorkshire.police.uk

Housing advice for those suffering domestic abuse can be found on the North Yorkshire Council website at https://www.northyorks.gov.uk/housing-and-homelessness/

IDAS is the largest specialist charity in the North supporting people affected by domestic abuse and sexual violence. For more information visit the IDAS website at https://idas.org.uk/