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Stalking means following, watching or tracking a person or the places where that person often goes, like home, work or social spaces. Stalking is a common and alarming problem. It causes fear and distress to people in our community. Here, we share ideas to help you stay safe.
Stalking is about unwanted attention, including following someone without their consent. Sometimes, stalking can be hard to recognise. If you have a concern, speak to someone you trust. Stalking is a crime in Australia.
You have the right to be safe. You have the right to privacy about where you go and who you talk to.
Stalking can impact people from all walks of life. People can be stalked by strangers or people they know. Often, the culprit is someone close. It could be:
The Disability Royal Commission said that women with disability are more likely to be stalked than other Australians. You can read about this on the Disability Royal Commission website (external link).
Stalking is not the fault of the person being followed, harassed or tracked. If stalking is a problem in your life, remember that you are not to blame for someone else's bad behaviour. Nothing you did or didn't do caused someone to stalk you. Their behaviour is their responsibility.
Stalking is a crime that affects your sense of safety, control, and peace of mind. To improve your safety:
Stalking happens in many different ways. A stalker might:
The first thing to do is to make sure you are safe. Look after your body and your emotions. Sometimes, stalking and harassment can lead to physical violence. If you are in danger, go somewhere safe. Seek medical attention if you need it.
Then, take a deep breath. We're sorry you've had to deal with this. We hope the situation gets better. We know that it can be confusing, intimidating, and stressful. People may try to make you believe it is your fault.
Remember that you are never to blame for bad behaviour. What happened to you is not your fault.
Here is a list of things you could do if you’ve faced stalking or harassment. You should choose the options that are right for you.
Having a disability can make it harder to escape violence and abuse. Limited mobility or social isolation might make it harder to get help. Moving out or getting away from the person who hurts you can seem impossible when money is in short supply. However, help is available.
Even if the person who hurt you is important to you, you can still get help. Many people are hurt by someone they know. It may be an intimate partner, a parent or carer, or someone else in authority, such as a health worker or service provider. You don't have to go to the police if you don't want to. Either way, support is available to keep you safe and help you recover.
Skylar works with someone who asks many questions about her life, including her disability and her mobility aid. Skylar's colleague asks if she's single and lives alone and how she gets home from work. The colleague also starts leaving notes on Skylar's desk. Skylar feels uncomfortable. Her colleague brings up what Skylar has done after work, like meeting a friend for coffee. It happens even when Skylar knows she hasn't told anyone about what she did. One afternoon, Skylar notices her colleague following her after work. This is stalking.
This section of the website lets you know where to go and what to do when you need help. People who've been hurt by violence will find advice here, but others will find it helpful, too. There is information about legal support, health services, money, sex and relationships and violence and abuse. If you are in a difficult situation and don't know what to do, the strategies here can make a difference.
Find out moreYou might need somewhere safe to stay or money to change the locks on your house. Perhaps you want to talk to a kind and caring person. Whatever you need, support is available when you've experienced violence or abuse. Some services focus on helping people with disability. Here, we share resources to help you build a safer, healthier life.
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Patricia Giles Centre for Non-Violence
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Patricia Giles Centre for Non-Violence
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1800 RESPECT
If you are going to leave a relationship, deciding what to take with you is an important step in creating a safety plan. This checklist helps you plan what you may need to take if you need to leave.
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