What is Stalking?
Stalking is unwanted attention repeatedly directed at an individual that makes them feel unsafe and distressed. There isn’t a strict legal definition for stalking, but the Protection from Harrassment Act 1997 gives examples of situations that constitute as stalking in section 2A (3). These include:
- (a) Following a person
- (b) Contacting, or attempting to contact, a person by any means
- (c) Publishing any statement or other material relating or purporting to relate to a person, or purporting to originate from a person
- (d) Monitoring the use by a person of the internet, email or any other form of electronic communication
- (e) Loitering in any place (whether public or private)
- (f) Interfering with any property in the possession of a person
- (g) Watching or spying on a person
The act also covers ‘stalking involving fear of violence or serious alarm or distress’ in section 4A, which is more serious and punishable by up to a maximum of 10 years imprisonment. If the offence is religiously or racially motivated, the maximum sentence can extend to up to a maximum of 14 years in custody.
