Stalking

Home: Survivors: Family Violence: Violence against women

Stalking is a criminal act.

Stalking is a type of crime which involves anyone, (for example; a partner, former partner, relative, friend, colleague or stranger), harassing or scaring someone in a particular way.

The person accused of stalking must either have intended to cause someone physical or mental harm, or intended to make someone scared for their own safety or for the safety of someone else, such as a friend or relative.

This includes conduct that the person accused of stalking knew or should have known would make someone scared for their own safety or for the safety of someone else.

The conduct must be repeated in order for it to constitute stalking. In other words, it must have occurred more than once.

Below are some examples of behaviour that may constitute stalking:

• following someone;
• contacting someone by any means including by telephone or by fax;
• entering or loitering around someone's home or work;
• interfering with anyone's property;
• giving someone offensive material;
• keeping someone under surveillance; and
• generally acting in a way which may make someone scared for their own safety or someone else's safety.

If you believe that someone is stalking you, call the police, as there is legal action you can take.

Sponsor

Council Against Violence

Disclaimer Copyright Updated: 1 Oct 2009