It’s Stalking Awareness Week between 24th and 28th April: a national campaign raising awareness about stalking and the dire effects it can have on victims.

Stalking is when someone carries out a pattern of repeated and persistent unwanted behaviour against you that makes you feel scared and threatened. It is a crime and is not something you should have to put up with. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) estimates that 2.5 million people every year experience stalking in England and Wales.

Local service the West Midlands Stalking Support Service (a project of Black Country Women’s Aid) support both women and men across the region who are experiencing stalking and harassment. To raise awareness about the issue, they have compiled a list of 5 things you should know about stalking. By understanding the nature and scope of stalking, we can all work together to prevent it and support its victims.

Here are 5 things about stalking that everyone needs to know:

1.       Stalking isn’t always violent. Under the Protection from Harassment Act, violence or threats of violence are not necessary for the criminal offense of stalking to be prosecuted. The key factor is that the behaviour causes alarm and distress.

2.       Stalking isn’t romantic. Sending flowers after you said no? Thirty missed calls after you said no? Movies and music can make us believe that this kind of behaviour is romantic, but constant persistence after rejection is not okay.

3.       If someone tells you they’re frightened, believe them. Stalking can cause victims to feel extremely hyper-vigilant. Try not to dismiss their feelings as many victims don’t know what their person stalking them is capable of.

4.       Stalking is serious. Are you changing your routines? Is your day-to-day life affected? A quick way to decide if it is stalking: remember F.O.U.R. Is the behaviour fixated? Obsessive? Unwanted? Repetitive?

5.       Stalking is a crime. We urge everyone to take stalking seriously and to learn more about how to protect themselves and their loved ones from this dangerous behaviour. If you or someone you know is being stalked, please seek help immediately.

Don’t suffer in silence. If you are experiencing this kind of unwanted attention, the West Midlands Stalking Support Service can help, support, and advise you. Call 0121 553 0090 today. In an emergency, call the police on 101 or 999. Visit www.blackcountrywomensaid.co.uk/services/stalking-harassment/ for more information.