This Stalking Awareness Week (20–26 April), victims are being encouraged to seek help through the Stalking Advocacy and Support Service (SASS).
The service - delivered by the charity Stop Domestic Abuse and funded by Hampshire and IOW’s Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) - provides confidential support and safety planning. Since its inception in 2023, it has supported 500 stalking victims.
The SASS is part of the region’s Multi-Agency Stalking Partnership. A pioneering project which has been recognised as leading the way in response to stalking in a national super-complaint report published by the Suzy Lamplugh Trust.
The region’s approach was singled out for its innovative leadership, multi-agency coordination and strategic investment in both victim support and perpetrator-focused services.
The unique approach, which is funded by the PCC, brings together our NHS Trust, the police, probation, the CPS, Youth Justice and a specialist stalking support service for victims.
A key part of the project is ensuring all professionals understand how to spot the signs of stalking. Between April 2023 to March 2026, more than 1,915 people received training and over 180 specialist consultations were delivered by our Trust to police officers and probation staff, to strengthen understanding of stalking behaviours and improve decision making.
PCC Donna Jones said: “Stalking can slowly strip away someone’s sense of safety and control. Many victims question themselves, worry they won’t be believed and think they are overreacting. Stalking hides in plain sight. Victims rarely label it as stalking at first, and it can happen online as well as in person. I want people to know that if this is happening to you, help and support is available. You can reach out to the police or in confidence, at your own pace, and there are specialist services in place to listen, protect you and help you feel safe again.”
Anyone affected by stalking, or concerned about someone else, is encouraged to seek advice and support.
What does stalking look like?
Stalking always follows the same pattern – the FOUR:
• Fixated
• Obsessed
• Unwanted
• Repeated
It may not begin with threats. It might be constant messages. ‘Coincidental’ appearances. Gifts. Emails. Monitoring your movements. Often (but not always) from someone the victim once knew, for example an ex-partner, a colleague, a former friend.
Where to get help
👉 https://stopdomesticabuse.uk/stalking
📞 0330 0533 630
📧 info@stopdomesticabuse.uk
📮 Stop Domestic Abuse, PO Box 53, Havant, PO9 1UA
You can report this in different ways. Is it an emergency? Is someone in immediate danger? Is a crime taking place or has one just happened? If so, call 999 now and ask for the police.
What can the police do?
Police have a range of powers that can be used to restrain perpetrators and protect victims, which includes Stalking Protection Orders (SPO). This type of order applied for in the Court. Conditions which can be granted include restrictions on the perpetrator, preventing them going places or making contact, recording images or referencing their victim on social media. They can also require the perpetrator to do certain actions, such as attend a stalking intervention, drug or alcohol programme, sign on at a police station or provide police with access to their phones and social media accounts.
SPOs last for a minimum of two years. If the perpetrator breaches the protection order without good reason, this is a criminal offence which will be investigated thoroughly
Working with perpetrators
The Multi-Agency Stalking Partnership also works with perpetrators to change stalking behaviours. Over the last three years over 1,600 stalking cases have been reviewed by MASP’s Stalking Clinic to protect victims. Hampshire and Isle of Wight Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust has also provided psychiatric input to over 50 complex cases and 106 individuals were referred to a psychologist led intervention programme with 65% completing it in full.