National Stalking and Harassment Awareness Week

This week is National Stalking and Harassment week, the theme is ‘Standing Against Stalking, Supporting Young People’.

Stalking and harassment will not be tolerated, and both my office and Gwent Police are committed to supporting victims of this appalling crime.

National data from The Suzy Lamplugh Trust highlights that more and more young people aged 16-24 are contacting the national stalking helpline to seek support in how to deal with unwanted behaviours.

My office has been working with Gwent Police’s Staking and Harassment officer and partners to raise awareness of the week with young people from Gwent at the University of South Wales Newport campus, Ebbw Vale Learning Zone and Torfaen Learning Zone Coleg Gwent campuses.

Working closely with the Gwent Regional Violence Against Women Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence (VAWDASV) team, Cyfannol Women’s Aid, Llamau, New Pathways my team engaged with over 100 young people to help them recognise unwanted behaviour, understand the difference between stalking and harassment and where to seek help.

Stalking can happen to anyone, stalking behaviour is fixated obsessive unwanted and repeated. It can include, being watched, getting unwanted gifts, damage to property, hacking social media accounts, unwanted contact or being followed.

Stalking and harassment can have adverse effects on the mental health of young people, I am pleased that staff from each of the campuses have had access to online training sessions to help understand how to help anyone affected by stalking and harassment.

Stalking is a crime. Call 101 to report persistent unwanted behaviour, always call 999 in an emergency.

Call UK National Stalking Helpline 0808 802 0300 for advice and support.

Live Fear Free helpline is available 24/7 0808 10 800