What is stalking?
Stalking is a pattern of repeated behavior that includes unwanted attention, contact, harassment, or other conduct towards a specific person.
Stalking behaviors may be committed in person, by following someone, or by monitoring and harassing someone electronically.
Stalking can be perpetrated by strangers or by someone known to the person being stalked, such as an acquaintance, friend, partner, ex-partner or family member.
When a partner, ex-partner or family member perpetrates the stalking behaviour, this is a form of domestic abuse.
The acronym FOUR is a useful way to define stalking:
- Fixated
- Obsessive
- Unwanted
-Repetitive
Stalking behaviours can be highly intrusive, causing fear, alarm and distress to those being stalked.
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