If you are victim of stalking or harassment you should contact your local police

Under the Protection from Harassment Act 1997, you only need two occurrences before the police can act. Try to gather evidence for the police such as:

• Chat/IM conversations - make a copy of your chat conversations. On your keyboard is a special key that says “Prt Sc - SysRq” or “PrintScreen”. If you hold down the “ALT” key and press that special key, a Windows PC will take a copy of what is on your screen. Open up a new Wordprocessor or Paint document and paste the image in it, be sure to add the time and date of the conversation.
• If they are harassing you via Facebook, Bebo, Myspace etc. you should block them immediately.
• Change ALL your social network privacy settings so only friends can see your information.
• If they have set-up and impostor profile then you should report it the social networking site. You should also ask everyone you know on the friends list to post a messages saying this is impostor and then they should then block that profile.
• If they are making rude comments or your photos you can also report those individually.
• Did you know that you can also block emails. If they are harassing via email go to youremail help pages and type in "block email".
• Mobile phones are often used in bullying. The ability to block numbers is dependent on the phone. Read your phone manual to see if it has this feature. If your phone doesn't allow blocked numbers consider getting one that does. The mobile phone operators will issue a new number free of charge. Call the operator and ask to speak to someone regarding nuisance calls.
• If they have put up malicious content or photo contact the website. If they won't act contact the webhosting company.

Offline advice

• Telephone calls – if someone undesirable calls, calmly put the handset down to one side and leave for a few minutes before you return the handset. If you can, unplug your phone (and any extension phones) for a short while afterwards. Make a note of the date and time and dial 1471 to try to get the caller’s number. Contact your telephone company's Malicious Calls Section for assistance.
• Mail if you get suspicious mail give it to the police. The stalker may have left his fingerprints on it so, do not let others handle it.
• Sightings – if they are following you make a note of the date, time, place what they were wearing and what were they doing. Cars – If you see them in a car again record the date, time, place as well as the type of car, colour and registration Take pictures – if you a camera of video recorder record any evidence and note, date, time and place. Rely on your gut instincts, if you ever feel in imminent danger do not hesitate - call 999.

Last updated on February 17, 2011 by Network for Surviving Stalking