Dr Rajan DarjeeDr Rajan DarjeeConsultant Forensic PsychiatristConsultant Forensic Psychiatrist

Dr Katharine RussellDr Katharine RussellConsultant Forensic Clinical Consultant Forensic Clinical

PsychologistPsychologist

Repeated attempts to impose unwanted Repeated attempts to impose unwanted communications and/or contacts on communications and/or contacts on another in a manner that could be another in a manner that could be expected to cause distress and/or fear in expected to cause distress and/or fear in any reasonable personany reasonable person

Telephone callsTelephone calls LettersLetters EmailsEmails FaxFax Mobile phone text messagesMobile phone text messages GraffitiGraffiti Social networking websitesSocial networking websites

Loitering near victim or where they Loitering near victim or where they live/worklive/work

Spying on victimSpying on victim Following the victimFollowing the victim Accosting the victim, in public or privateAccosting the victim, in public or private Entering the victim’s home or workplaceEntering the victim’s home or workplace

Sending or leaving unsolicited Sending or leaving unsolicited materials/giftsmaterials/gifts

Ordering or cancelling goods and servicesOrdering or cancelling goods and services Making vexatious complaintsMaking vexatious complaints CyberstalkingCyberstalking ThreatsThreats Property damageProperty damage ViolenceViolence

Single incidents recorded and seen in Single incidents recorded and seen in isolation may hide a course of stalkingisolation may hide a course of stalking

When put together it becomes clear that When put together it becomes clear that a campaign of stalking is underwaya campaign of stalking is underway

For the arresting officer this may be For the arresting officer this may be difficult to ascertain and will rely on good difficult to ascertain and will rely on good information systems that allow the information systems that allow the linkages to be seenlinkages to be seen

About 50% of cases a day or twoAbout 50% of cases a day or two If continues beyond 2 weeks, often If continues beyond 2 weeks, often

extends to months or yearsextends to months or years

(1) A PERSON (“A”) COMMITS AN OFFENCE, TO BE KNOWN AS THE (1) A PERSON (“A”) COMMITS AN OFFENCE, TO BE KNOWN AS THE OFFENCE OF STALKING, WHERE A STALKS ANOTHER PERSON OFFENCE OF STALKING, WHERE A STALKS ANOTHER PERSON (“B”).(“B”).

(2) FOR THE PURPOSES OF SUBSECTION (1), A STALKS B WHERE—(2) FOR THE PURPOSES OF SUBSECTION (1), A STALKS B WHERE— (A) A ENGAGES IN A COURSE OF CONDUCT,(A) A ENGAGES IN A COURSE OF CONDUCT, (B) SUBSECTION (3) OR (4) APPLIES, AND(B) SUBSECTION (3) OR (4) APPLIES, AND (C) A'S COURSE OF CONDUCT CAUSES B TO SUFFER FEAR OR (C) A'S COURSE OF CONDUCT CAUSES B TO SUFFER FEAR OR ALARM.ALARM.

(3) THIS SUBSECTION APPLIES WHERE A ENGAGES IN THE COURSE (3) THIS SUBSECTION APPLIES WHERE A ENGAGES IN THE COURSE OF CONDUCT WITH THE INTENTION OF CAUSING B TO SUFFER OF CONDUCT WITH THE INTENTION OF CAUSING B TO SUFFER FEAR OR ALARM.FEAR OR ALARM.

(4) THIS SUBSECTION APPLIES WHERE A KNOWS, OR OUGHT IN ALL (4) THIS SUBSECTION APPLIES WHERE A KNOWS, OR OUGHT IN ALL THE CIRCUMSTANCES TO HAVE KNOWN, THAT ENGAGING IN THE THE CIRCUMSTANCES TO HAVE KNOWN, THAT ENGAGING IN THE COURSE OF CONDUCT WOULD BE LIKELY TO CAUSE B TO SUFFER COURSE OF CONDUCT WOULD BE LIKELY TO CAUSE B TO SUFFER FEAR OR ALARM.FEAR OR ALARM.

(5) IT IS A DEFENCE FOR A PERSON CHARGED WITH AN OFFENCE (5) IT IS A DEFENCE FOR A PERSON CHARGED WITH AN OFFENCE UNDER THIS SECTION TO SHOW THAT THE COURSE OF CONDUCTUNDER THIS SECTION TO SHOW THAT THE COURSE OF CONDUCT—— (A) WAS AUTHORISED BY VIRTUE OF ANY ENACTMENT OR RULE (A) WAS AUTHORISED BY VIRTUE OF ANY ENACTMENT OR RULE OF LAW,OF LAW, (B) WAS ENGAGED IN FOR THE PURPOSE OF PREVENTING OR (B) WAS ENGAGED IN FOR THE PURPOSE OF PREVENTING OR DETECTING CRIME, ORDETECTING CRIME, OR (C) WAS, IN THE PARTICULAR CIRCUMSTANCES, REASONABLE.(C) WAS, IN THE PARTICULAR CIRCUMSTANCES, REASONABLE.

(6) IN THIS SECTION— (6) IN THIS SECTION— ““CONDUCT” means— CONDUCT” means— (a) following B or any other person, (a) following B or any other person, (b) contacting, or attempting to contact, B or any other person by any means, (b) contacting, or attempting to contact, B or any other person by any means, (c) publishing any statement or other material— (c) publishing any statement or other material—

(i) relating or purporting to relate to B or to any other person, (i) relating or purporting to relate to B or to any other person, (ii) purporting to originate from B or from any other person, (ii) purporting to originate from B or from any other person,

(d) monitoring the use by B or by any other person of the internet, email or any other form of (d) monitoring the use by B or by any other person of the internet, email or any other form of electronic communication, electronic communication,

(e) entering any premises, (e) entering any premises, (f) loitering in any place (whether public or private), (f) loitering in any place (whether public or private), (g) interfering with any property in the possession of B or of any other person, (g) interfering with any property in the possession of B or of any other person, (h) giving anything to B or to any other person or leaving anything where it may be found by, (h) giving anything to B or to any other person or leaving anything where it may be found by,

given to or brought to the attention of B or any other person, given to or brought to the attention of B or any other person, (i) watching or spying on B or any other person, (i) watching or spying on B or any other person, (j) acting in any other way that a reasonable person would expect would cause B to suffer fear (j) acting in any other way that a reasonable person would expect would cause B to suffer fear

or alarm, and or alarm, and

““COURSE OF CONDUCT” involves conduct on at least two occasions. COURSE OF CONDUCT” involves conduct on at least two occasions.

(7)A PERSON CONVICTED OF THE OFFENCE OF STALKING IS LIABLE— (7)A PERSON CONVICTED OF THE OFFENCE OF STALKING IS LIABLE— (A)ON CONVICTION ON INDICTMENT, TO IMPRISONMENT FOR A TERM NOT EXCEEDING (A)ON CONVICTION ON INDICTMENT, TO IMPRISONMENT FOR A TERM NOT EXCEEDING 5 YEARS, OR TO A FINE, OR TO BOTH, 5 YEARS, OR TO A FINE, OR TO BOTH, (B)ON SUMMARY CONVICTION, TO IMPRISONMENT FOR A TERM NOT EXCEEDING 12 (B)ON SUMMARY CONVICTION, TO IMPRISONMENT FOR A TERM NOT EXCEEDING 12 MONTHS, OR TO A FINE NOT EXCEEDING THE STATUTORY MAXIMUM, OR TO BOTH.MONTHS, OR TO A FINE NOT EXCEEDING THE STATUTORY MAXIMUM, OR TO BOTH.

1.1. ConductConduct

2.2. IntentIntent

3.3. Effect on victimEffect on victim

Has existed for centuriesHas existed for centuries Constructed as a social problem in Constructed as a social problem in

modern western societiesmodern western societies Label ‘stalking’ used since late 1980sLabel ‘stalking’ used since late 1980s First anti-stalking law in California in First anti-stalking law in California in

19901990 Influence of high-profile ‘celebrity Influence of high-profile ‘celebrity

stalkers’ and cases where stalkers have stalkers’ and cases where stalkers have killedkilled

About 1 in 5 females and 1 in 10 males About 1 in 5 females and 1 in 10 males will be stalked at sometime during their will be stalked at sometime during their lifetimelifetime

In the UK 5 million people experience In the UK 5 million people experience stalking in any one yearstalking in any one year

Morris et al (2002) – n=1029 (age Morris et al (2002) – n=1029 (age ≥16)≥16) ‘‘Persistent and unwanted attention’Persistent and unwanted attention’ Lifetime experience - Lifetime experience - Males – 7% Males – 7% Females – 17%Females – 17% In the last year – In the last year – Males – 2%Males – 2% Females 5%Females 5%

‘‘Stalking’Stalking’ Lifetime experience – Lifetime experience – Males – 4%Males – 4% Females – 10%Females – 10% In the last year – In the last year – Males – 1%Males – 1% Females - 3%Females - 3%

80-90% of stalkers male, about 80% of 80-90% of stalkers male, about 80% of victims femalevictims female

Prior relationships:Prior relationships:AcquaintancesAcquaintances

casual, professional, workplace, neighbourhoodcasual, professional, workplace, neighbourhoodEx-intimatesEx-intimates

former sexual partners, family, friendsformer sexual partners, family, friendsStrangersStrangers

public figures, private strangerspublic figures, private strangers

Personality disorderPersonality disorder 45%45% Psychotic illness Psychotic illness 21%21% Depression Depression 13%13% Substance use disorderSubstance use disorder 10%10% ParaphiliaParaphilia 6%6% Bipolar disorderBipolar disorder 4%4% Anxiety disorderAnxiety disorder 3%3% Asperger’s SyndromeAsperger’s Syndrome 2%2% No diagnosisNo diagnosis 17%17%

Clients who stalk cliniciansClients who stalk clinicians

Multiple studies show that mental health Multiple studies show that mental health professionals are at increased risk of professionals are at increased risk of being stalked being stalked (Galeazzi & Di Fazio, 2006)(Galeazzi & Di Fazio, 2006)

10-20% of surveyed professionals report 10-20% of surveyed professionals report stalking in context of workstalking in context of work

Average duration of 5-10 monthsAverage duration of 5-10 monthsMale and female clinicians at equal riskMale and female clinicians at equal riskMale and female clients equally likely to Male and female clients equally likely to

stalk and same gender stalking is commonstalk and same gender stalking is common

Clients who stalk cliniciansClients who stalk clinicians

Two broad reasons:Two broad reasons:Patient who develops resentment towards Patient who develops resentment towards

clinician due to some perceived clinician due to some perceived slight/mistreatment (might be family slight/mistreatment (might be family member)member)

Patient who develops romantic or child-like Patient who develops romantic or child-like attachment to clinician and stalking is attachment to clinician and stalking is about the hope of a relationship/delusional about the hope of a relationship/delusional belief about an existing relationshipbelief about an existing relationship

PRIMARYPRIMARYThe individual who is the stalker’s prime The individual who is the stalker’s prime

interest and who the behaviour is primarily interest and who the behaviour is primarily intended to affectintended to affect

SECONDARYSECONDARYSomeone who is targeted by the stalker due Someone who is targeted by the stalker due

to their connection with the primary victim; to their connection with the primary victim; often family, friends, new partner, work often family, friends, new partner, work colleagues or police.colleagues or police.

Effect will depend on nature of stalking, Effect will depend on nature of stalking, relationship with stalker, characteristics of victim, relationship with stalker, characteristics of victim, social circumstances of victim, response of social circumstances of victim, response of servicesservices

Violence is not necessarily the primary concern. Violence is not necessarily the primary concern. Persistence and recurrence may cause more Persistence and recurrence may cause more concern and distress. concern and distress.

Psychosocial damage due to chronic Psychosocial damage due to chronic intrusiveness can have a greater impact than an intrusiveness can have a greater impact than an incident of serious violenceincident of serious violence

Stalking (without physical violence) causes Stalking (without physical violence) causes serious harm to victims (HMA v Johnstone)serious harm to victims (HMA v Johnstone)

Does the victim see it as stalking?Does the victim see it as stalking? If they have been in a relationship or If they have been in a relationship or

have children are they prepared to have children are they prepared to identify it as stalkingidentify it as stalking

Victims may only report most serious Victims may only report most serious incidentsincidents

Victim factors are crucial in assessing Victim factors are crucial in assessing and managing riskand managing risk

RejectedRejected ResentfulResentful Intimacy seekersIntimacy seekers Incompetent suitorIncompetent suitor PredatoryPredatory

Previous sexual Previous sexual relationshiprelationship

Want to keep the Want to keep the victim in their livesvictim in their lives

Reconciliation, show Reconciliation, show their love, scare their love, scare them back, revenge, them back, revenge, you’ll never be free you’ll never be free of me, retain the linkof me, retain the link

RejectedRejected

Grudge about Grudge about perceived wrongperceived wrong

Wants to get Wants to get redress/revengeredress/revenge

Not following a Not following a sexual relationshipsexual relationship

Stalker infatuated Stalker infatuated with victimwith victim

Believes victim is Believes victim is infatuated with infatuated with them toothem too

No previous sexual No previous sexual relationshiprelationship

Want a dateWant a date Don’t understand Don’t understand

or don’t care about or don’t care about whether victim whether victim interested or notinterested or not

Thrill (usually sexual) Thrill (usually sexual) of pursuit and of pursuit and monitoringmonitoring

Prelude to an attack Prelude to an attack (or making victim feel (or making victim feel they’ll be attacked)they’ll be attacked)

Targeted stranger or Targeted stranger or sometimes sometimes acquaintanceacquaintance

FIVE GROUPS LIKE OTHER STALKERSFIVE GROUPS LIKE OTHER STALKERS RejectedRejected ResentfulResentful Intimacy seekersIntimacy seekers Incompetent suitorIncompetent suitor PredatoryPredatory

THREE ADDITIONAL GROUPS UNIQUE TO THREE ADDITIONAL GROUPS UNIQUE TO PUBLIC FIGURE STALKERSPUBLIC FIGURE STALKERS

Help seekersHelp seekers Attention seekersAttention seekers ChaoticChaotic

Violence (very serious violence)Violence (very serious violence) PersistencePersistence RecurrenceRecurrence

Psychosocial damage to perpetratorPsychosocial damage to perpetrator

EscalationEscalation DisruptionDisruption

About 50% of stalkers About 50% of stalkers return to stalking return to stalking within twelve months (Rosenfeld 2003). within twelve months (Rosenfeld 2003).

Between 30-40% of stalking victims are Between 30-40% of stalking victims are explicitly explicitly threatenedthreatened with physical harm with physical harm (Mullen et al 2006) (Mullen et al 2006)

Between 10-33% of stalking victims are Between 10-33% of stalking victims are physically assaulted physically assaulted (Mullen et al (Mullen et al 2006). 2006).

The nature of this physical violence is The nature of this physical violence is usually relatively minor, with usually relatively minor, with serious serious violence violence (such as homicide, attempted (such as homicide, attempted homicide or rape) being relatively homicide or rape) being relatively infrequent.infrequent.

Being an intimacy seeker or ex-partnerBeing an intimacy seeker or ex-partner Stalking in work place situations or where Stalking in work place situations or where

professionals are pursued by ex-patients or professionals are pursued by ex-patients or clientsclients

Having a personality disorder, particularly if Having a personality disorder, particularly if combined with a substance misuse problemcombined with a substance misuse problem

Sending the victim unsolicited materialsSending the victim unsolicited materials Perpetrator aged over 30 yearsPerpetrator aged over 30 years Chronic psychosis (especially mono-delusional Chronic psychosis (especially mono-delusional

erotomania)erotomania)

FACTORS IDENTIFIED IN MORE THAN ONE STUDY:FACTORS IDENTIFIED IN MORE THAN ONE STUDY: Being an ex-intimate partner of the victim Being an ex-intimate partner of the victim Substance abuse Substance abuse Making threats of physical violenceMaking threats of physical violence Absence of psychosisAbsence of psychosis History of offending, particularly violent or sexual History of offending, particularly violent or sexual

offendingoffendingFACTORS IDENTIFIED IN ONE STUDY ONLY:FACTORS IDENTIFIED IN ONE STUDY ONLY: Suicidal ideationSuicidal ideation Having a personality disorderHaving a personality disorder Social isolationSocial isolation Poor educationPoor education Revenge motiveRevenge motive YouthYouth Escalation of stalking behaviourEscalation of stalking behaviour

EX-INTIMATESEX-INTIMATES1 in 2 who threaten violence are violent1 in 2 who threaten violence are violent

OTHERSOTHERS1 in 10 who threaten violence are violent1 in 10 who threaten violence are violent

NATURE OF STALKINGNATURE OF STALKING Ex-intimate partnerEx-intimate partner Appearing at the victim’s homeAppearing at the victim’s home Threats (verbal or written) to stalking victimThreats (verbal or written) to stalking victim Violence towards stalking victimViolence towards stalking victim Threatening messages left on the victim’s carThreatening messages left on the victim’s car Threat to harm childrenThreat to harm children Shorter duration of stalkingShorter duration of stalking

OTHER FACTORSOTHER FACTORS Not having previous convictions or violent convictionsNot having previous convictions or violent convictions EmployedEmployed Major depressionMajor depression Suicidal or homicidal ideationSuicidal or homicidal ideation Last resort thinkingLast resort thinking

75% of female victims of homicide are 75% of female victims of homicide are stalked prior to being killedstalked prior to being killed

…… …… but only a very small percentage of but only a very small percentage of stalkers kill their victimsstalkers kill their victims

Specific times or dates may act as triggers for Specific times or dates may act as triggers for escalation or recurrence of stalking, e.g.escalation or recurrence of stalking, e.g. AnniversariesAnniversaries BirthdaysBirthdays Victim gets new partner/marriesVictim gets new partner/marries Victim has a child with new partner/perpetratorVictim has a child with new partner/perpetrator Perpetrator loses job/suffers loss or bereavementPerpetrator loses job/suffers loss or bereavement Perpetrator sees victim or is reminded of victim (e.g. Perpetrator sees victim or is reminded of victim (e.g.

at court)at court) Perpetrator released from custody – has the risk Perpetrator released from custody – has the risk

changed?changed?

Experience ongoing failure/frustrationExperience ongoing failure/frustration Legal ramificationsLegal ramifications Loss of family/friends employmentLoss of family/friends employment Mental disorderMental disorder Suicidal ideationSuicidal ideation Suicide (36x rate in general population)Suicide (36x rate in general population)

Only a few studies. No long-term Only a few studies. No long-term prospective studies yet.prospective studies yet.

But we have to assess and manage But we have to assess and manage these cases as best we canthese cases as best we can

Base assessment and management on:Base assessment and management on:Emerging research on stalkingEmerging research on stalkingWider research and practice relating to risk Wider research and practice relating to risk

assessmentassessmentClinical/practice experienceClinical/practice experience

ScreensScreens Stalking Risk Profile Screening Checklist (SRP: SC)Stalking Risk Profile Screening Checklist (SRP: SC) Stalking Assessment Screen (SAS)Stalking Assessment Screen (SAS) Domestic Abuse, Stalking and Honour Based Domestic Abuse, Stalking and Honour Based

Violence (DASH)Violence (DASH)

Comprehensive assessment tools (structured Comprehensive assessment tools (structured professional judgment)professional judgment) Stalking Assessment and Management (SAM)Stalking Assessment and Management (SAM) Stalking Risk Profile (SRP)Stalking Risk Profile (SRP)

Screening checklist for risk of Screening checklist for risk of violence/harmviolence/harm

Any stalking/harassment caseAny stalking/harassment case Two or more incidents and/or victim Two or more incidents and/or victim

extremely frightenedextremely frightened

Gather relevant background Gather relevant background informationinformationDetermine presence and relevance of Determine presence and relevance of risk risk

factorsfactorsConstruct Construct risk formulationrisk formulationSet out plausible Set out plausible future risk scenariosfuture risk scenariosMake Make risk managementrisk management plan planMake judgements about Make judgements about prioritisationprioritisation, ,

imminence, serious harm and reviewimminence, serious harm and review

NATURE OF STALKINGNATURE OF STALKINGN1. Communicates about victim N1. Communicates about victim 

N2. Communicates with victim N2. Communicates with victim 

N3. Approaches victim N3. Approaches victim 

N4. Direct contact with victim N4. Direct contact with victim 

N5. Intimidates victim N5. Intimidates victim 

N6. Threatens victim N6. Threatens victim 

N7. Violent toward victim N7. Violent toward victim 

N8. Stalking is persistent N8. Stalking is persistent 

N9. Stalking involves supervision N9. Stalking involves supervision violations violations 

N10. Stalking is escalating N10. Stalking is escalating 

Other Considerations Related to the Other Considerations Related to the Nature of the Stalking Nature of the Stalking 

PERPETRATOR RISK FACTORSPERPETRATOR RISK FACTORSP1.  Angry P1.  Angry 

P2. Obsessed P2. Obsessed 

P3. Irrational P3. Irrational 

P4. Unrepentant P4. Unrepentant 

P5. Intimate relationship problems P5. Intimate relationship problems 

P6. Non-intimate relationship problemsP6. Non-intimate relationship problems

P7. Distressed P7. Distressed 

P8. Substance use problems P8. Substance use problems 

P9. Employment and financial problems P9. Employment and financial problems 

P10. Criminality P10. Criminality 

Other Considerations Related to the Perpetrator Other Considerations Related to the Perpetrator 

VICTIM VULNERABILITY FACTORSVICTIM VULNERABILITY FACTORSV1. Inconsistent behaviour toward perpetrator V1. Inconsistent behaviour toward perpetrator 

V2. Inconsistent attitude toward perpetrator V2. Inconsistent attitude toward perpetrator 

V3. Non-intimate relationship problems V3. Non-intimate relationship problems 

V4. Inadequate access to resources V4. Inadequate access to resources 

V5. Intimate relationship problems V5. Intimate relationship problems 

V6. Employment and financial problems V6. Employment and financial problems 

V7. Distressed V7. Distressed 

V8. Substance use problems V8. Substance use problems 

V9. Unsafe living situation V9. Unsafe living situation 

V10. Concerns related to dependents V10. Concerns related to dependents 

Other Considerations Related to VictimOther Considerations Related to Victim

1.1. Gather informationGather information2.2. Apply motivational typologyApply motivational typology3.3. Rate risk factors for each domain of Rate risk factors for each domain of

risk:risk: violence, persistence, recurrence, violence, persistence, recurrence,

psychosocial damage to stalkerpsychosocial damage to stalker4.4. Risk judgement (low, medium or high) Risk judgement (low, medium or high)

for each domain of riskfor each domain of risk5.5. FormulationFormulation6.6. Management recommendationsManagement recommendationsAddendum for Public Figure VictimsAddendum for Public Figure Victims

RISK FACTORS:RISK FACTORS: Red Flag risk factors (5)Red Flag risk factors (5)

suicidal ideationsuicidal ideation homicidal ideationhomicidal ideation last resort thinkinglast resort thinking high risk psychotic phenomenahigh risk psychotic phenomena psychopathypsychopathy

General risk factors for each risk General risk factors for each risk domaindomain

Type specific risk factors for each Type specific risk factors for each risk domainrisk domain

Stalking is different from other types of violenceStalking is different from other types of violence Risks include persistence, recurrence, violence, escalation, Risks include persistence, recurrence, violence, escalation,

disruption, psychosocial damage to victims & psychosocial disruption, psychosocial damage to victims & psychosocial damage to perpetratorsdamage to perpetrators

Understanding the motivation/relationship context (using Understanding the motivation/relationship context (using typology) is crucialtypology) is crucial

Some risk factors overlap with those for other types of Some risk factors overlap with those for other types of violence but some do notviolence but some do not

There are different risk factors for different types of risks and There are different risk factors for different types of risks and different types of stalkers (SRP)different types of stalkers (SRP)

Screens (eg S-DASH) can help identify high risk of harm Screens (eg S-DASH) can help identify high risk of harm casescases

Structured professional judgement approaches (SAM or SRP) Structured professional judgement approaches (SAM or SRP) should be used for a comprehensive assessmentshould be used for a comprehensive assessment

SAM works well for ex-intimate stalkers but may not be as SAM works well for ex-intimate stalkers but may not be as good for other typesgood for other types

SRP is more comprehensive, but more complicatedSRP is more comprehensive, but more complicated

MotivationMotivation RelationshipRelationship Risk of …Risk of …

ViolenceViolence Persistence / RecurrencePersistence / Recurrence Psychosocial damage to stalkerPsychosocial damage to stalker

Role of mental disorderRole of mental disorder Underlying problems, predisposing and Underlying problems, predisposing and

perpetuating factorsperpetuating factors Current contextCurrent context Responsivity issuesResponsivity issues Strengths and protective factorsStrengths and protective factors

““Speculate” systematically about “possible Speculate” systematically about “possible futures”futures”

Based on formulation and risk factorsBased on formulation and risk factors Types of risk scenarios:Types of risk scenarios:

Repeat, escalation (inc. worst case), twist, improvementRepeat, escalation (inc. worst case), twist, improvement

What? When? Where? Whom? Why? How?What? When? Where? Whom? Why? How? Plausible? Likely? Imminent?Plausible? Likely? Imminent? Plausible scenarios should inform risk Plausible scenarios should inform risk

managementmanagement

MonitoringMonitoring Supervision/restrictionsSupervision/restrictions TreatmentTreatment Victim safety planningVictim safety planning

Contingency planningContingency planning CommunicationCommunication ReviewReview

Arrest and prosecutionArrest and prosecution Conviction for specific stalking offencesConviction for specific stalking offences Community and custodial sentencesCommunity and custodial sentences

Interdicts, restraining orders, intervention Interdicts, restraining orders, intervention orders, non-harassment ordersorders, non-harassment orders

Mental health legislationMental health legislation

Aims to decrease likelihood and impact of further stalkingAims to decrease likelihood and impact of further stalking Don’t have same staff working with perpetrators and Don’t have same staff working with perpetrators and

victimsvictims SecuritySecurity

? Re-location in some extreme situations? Re-location in some extreme situations Open channels of communication to professionalsOpen channels of communication to professionals What to do if intrusions continue and what the professional What to do if intrusions continue and what the professional

response will beresponse will be Whether and how to respond to further contactWhether and how to respond to further contact

? Tell stalker behaviour unwanted and should stop? Tell stalker behaviour unwanted and should stop Take threats and victim’s fear seriously, particularly if Take threats and victim’s fear seriously, particularly if

victim is ex-partnervictim is ex-partner Support and treatmentSupport and treatment Remember potential secondary victimsRemember potential secondary victims

Are there indicators of Are there indicators of imminent risk of serious harmimminent risk of serious harm to to the victim? If so recommend remand in custody or put the victim? If so recommend remand in custody or put in place robust victim safety planin place robust victim safety plan

VictimVictim support and safety planning support and safety planning ArrestArrest, conviction and/or sentence may not deter the , conviction and/or sentence may not deter the

perpetrator. They may even increase riskperpetrator. They may even increase risk Be particularly vigilant for signs of escalating risk – Be particularly vigilant for signs of escalating risk –

especially especially last resort thinkinglast resort thinking Do not inadvertently Do not inadvertently perpetuate riskperpetuate risk, for example:, for example:

Keeping direct or indirect link with victim goingKeeping direct or indirect link with victim going Being confrontational or shaming towards perpetratorBeing confrontational or shaming towards perpetrator

Mentally ill stalkers should be referred to Mentally ill stalkers should be referred to mental health servicesmental health services

Very high likelihood of mental illness in Very high likelihood of mental illness in ‘intimacy seekers’‘intimacy seekers’

Some mental health services have Some mental health services have specialist expertise in assessing and specialist expertise in assessing and managing stalking casesmanaging stalking cases

Available in Edinburgh, Lothian and BordersAvailable in Edinburgh, Lothian and Borders Direct referrals from police or criminal justice social workDirect referrals from police or criminal justice social work Provides psychological and psychiatric input to help Provides psychological and psychiatric input to help

agencies manage difficult casesagencies manage difficult cases Stalking, threats, domestic violence, sexual offending, fire Stalking, threats, domestic violence, sexual offending, fire

raising, other serious violenceraising, other serious violence Provide advice, consultation, assessment, training, link to Provide advice, consultation, assessment, training, link to

mental health servicesmental health services Take stalking referrals at any stage from investigation to Take stalking referrals at any stage from investigation to

management post-sentencemanagement post-sentence Use evidence based assessments (SAM & SRP) Use evidence based assessments (SAM & SRP)

TO CONTACT US:TO CONTACT US:

rajan.darjee@nhs.netrajan.darjee@nhs.net

katharine.russell@nhs.net katharine.russell@nhs.net

0131 537 58660131 537 5866