What is it?
Harassment is repeated behaviour which makes you feel distressed, humiliated or threatened. The perpetrator could be someone known to you or a stranger. Examples of harassment include:
- Unwanted phone calls, letters, emails or visits
- Following or watching the victim
- Verbal abuse and threats
- Damaging the victim’s property
Stalking
Stalking refers to persistent and unwanted behaviour causing a victim fear, harassment and anxiety. Stalking is a criminal offence under the Protection from Harassment Act 1997.
Stalking is one of the most common types of intimate violence and most often involves a partner or ex-partner. As many as 18.1% of women and 9.4% of men aged 16-59 say they have been a victim of stalking. Many victims do not come forward in the mistaken belief they are overreacting. If you feel scared, worried or angered by someone’s persistent behaviour then it is your right to seek help and protection.
How to report it?
If you feel a person’s behaviour is putting you in immediate danger you must always call 999. You can report stalking or harassment to the police on the non-emergency number 101.
The Police and Crime Commissioner funds organisations that provide support services for victims and witnesses in Derbyshire. These are free of charge and are available to anyone who lives in Derbyshire. For Harrassment and Stalking these support services are provided by Derbyshire Victim Services.
DERBYSHIRE VICTIM SERVICES
If you have ever been the victim of crime, or have been affected by a crime committed against someone close to you, Derbyshire Victim Services can provide all the help and support you need. Their local team offers a friendly, free and confidential service to anyone living in Derbyshire. It doesn’t matter if you reported the crime to the Police or not they are here to help you with any practical advice and emotional support.
0800 612 6505
TEXT ‘DVS’ TO 82228
support@dvssupport.org
Below are a range of other organisations that will be able to provide advice and support:
NATIONAL DOMESTIC ABUSE HELPLINE
National domestic violence provides a national service supporting women experiencing domestic abuse. It can be accessed by the victim or by their friends, family, colleagues and others calling on their behalf.
https://www.nationaldahelpline.org.uk
0808 2000 247
REFUGE
Refuge offer a range of services including refuge, outreach and resettlement support to women and children who have experienced domestic abuse, stalking, honour based violence, trafficking, forced marriage and Female Genital Mutilation.
www.refuge.org.uk
0808 2000 247
WOMEN’S AID
This site provides information about domestic abuse and allows you to find support in your area.
www.womensaid.org.uk
0808 2000 247
THE ELM FOUNDATION – DOMESTIC ABUSE HELPLINE
The Elm Foundation provides a helpline service to anyone experiencing domestic violence in the Derbyshire county area. The Derbyshire Domestic Abuse helpline can put you in touch with the the right services to support you, provided by a number of different local organisations. These organisations offer a personalised support service, which can help with safety plans, the court process, refuges, counselling, and Independent Domestic Violence Advocates (IDVAs). For more information please see the contact details below.
For hard of hearing/deaf text 07534 617252