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 Stalking Advocacy Service
The Derbyshire Stalking Advocacy Service offer specialised stalking advocacy support for high-risk stalking cases. Referrals are made to the service via the police and Remedi.
Once they have received your referral, their specialist stalking advocate can offer support around:
- Advocacy with the Police and Criminal Justice System
- Court proceedings
- Safety and safety planning
- Emotional support around the impact of stalking
- Understanding and identifying stalking behaviours.
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
Crossroads
Crossroads Derbyshire is a charity offering confidential support and advisory services to people affected by domestic abuse, particularly in the High Peak and Derbyshire Dales areas, with services including refuge, outreach, community programs, counselling, and specialist services for children.
https://www.crossroadsderbyshire.org/
01457 856675
Glow – The Honeycomb Group
Glow delivers the Independent Domestic Violence Advisor (IDVA) Service in both Derby City and Derbyshire.
The IDVA Service is independent of any agency, and the role of the specialist service is to provide effective, dedicated support to males and females aged 16 and over, who are at high risk of domestic-related homicide or serious harm. The IDVA will support high-risk victims through the civil and criminal justice system and assist in accessing service provision such as housing, health, and finance. They will liaise with agencies from the statutory and voluntary sector to ensure that a multi-agency approach is taken to ensure the victim’s safety. As part of this service there are dedicated IDVA’s who work within the criminal and family courts, the BAME communities and those victims accessing Derby Royal and Chesterfield Royal hospitals.
Referrals to the service will come via referrals to MARAC from statutory agencies, criminal justice system and third-sector support services in the usual way.
Please note that this service is for high-risk/MARAC victims only.
https://www.findtheglow.org.uk/
0330 0945559
REFUGE
Refuge provides services to people experiencing domestic violence in Derby city. The service provides free confidential, non-judgemental and independent support and advice for both men and women living in Derby City. Referrals to this service can be made by yourself, friends, family and professionals as long as they have your consent. Refuge also offers refuge, outreach and resettlement support to women and children who have experienced domestic violence, stalking, honour-based violence, trafficking, forced marriage and Female Genital Mutilation. For further information about this service please see the contact details below.