South West charity is encouraging people to talk about stalking
The charity says more needs to be done to highlight the impact of stalking
Last updated 29th May 2024
Charity FearFree say stalking has a devastating impact on people's lives and for many victims the impact can last for their whole lifetime.
Stalking is a repeated pattern of behaviour that causes a person to feel frightened, nervous or in danger. The behaviour can include unwanted contact by phone, social media or email, or unwanted visits to your workplace or home address or other places you regularly frequent.
However, victims can struggle to seek support as stalking is often trivialised, and for some is a source of embarrassment.
FearFree's CEO Claire Marshall, said: "People tend to joke about stalking, but it can be terrifying for the victim and can escalate."
Following the success of recent television series 'Baby Reindeer'- which told the story of a man being stalked by an older woman- more people are starting to speak about stalking and some victims are feeling able to tell their own stories.
Claire Marshall, said: "It's extremely important that difficult subjects are publicised and put into the public conscience so more people feel comfortable talking about their own experiences.
"Anything that brings difficult topics into the public domain and that people can identify with and debate is really important. If more people come forward and seek help for what they're experiencing then that is absolutely vital."
The series has also shed light on male victims of stalking. FearFree say men often struggle to seek help and feel embarrassed by the situation.
Claire Marshall, said: "I think men definitely find it more challenging to come forward, maybe it's a societal notion that men should be able to handle it. Building awareness of what stalking is whether it is a male or a female victim is a source for good."