Stalking is a "feature" in most domestic abuse cases we deal with says West Mercia Women's Aid
Latest Office for National Statistics figures estimate 1.5 million people aged 16 years and over experienced stalking in the year ending March 2024.
A Herefordshire, Worcestershire and Shropshire charity says work to raise awareness of the impact on stalking is vital.
It's as this week is known as national stalking awareness week, with the theme this year focusing on how those in the health sector can help spot signs of stalking.
Latest figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) show one in five women and around 1 in 11 men aged 16 years and over has been a victim of stalking, which estimates 1.5 million people aged 16 years and over experienced stalking in the year ending March 2024.
They also say that through the data, it shows younger people were more likely to be stalking victims in the year ending March 2024.
Sue Coleman is the chief executive from West Mercia Women's Aid who help victims of domestic abuse, she says stalking is a feature in most cases they help people with.
"Working for a domestic abuse organisation that supports the victims and survivors of domestic abuse, stalking is a feature in over 80% of the victims and survivors of domestic abuse in this country, whether they're men or women," she said.
"There are many ways in which people's lives can be disrupted in which they can be controlled and can be made to feel fearful and isolated and have their privacy invaded by by others, whether that be through cyber means or just plain traditional disrupting people's lives.
"Only last year, over 1,200 women that we worked with were also experiencing stalking, but we understand that this is something that can happen to anyone."
In December the government announced that Stalking Protection Orders (SPOs) would be made more widely available.
It has also announced other measures to tackle stalking, including giving victims the right to know the identity of their online stalker and a review of stalking legislation to assess whether changes are needed to support police to better identify stalking and arrest offenders.