Stalking or Harassment
Stalking or harassment are serious crimes that can devastate victims and their families. We understand how complex these cases can be.
We are committed to getting justice for victims of stalking or harassment. We work closely with police and other criminal justice partners to tackle these crimes effectively. We are constantly improving our processes to better support victims and strengthen our response.
What is stalking or harassment?
Stalking or harassment happen when someone repeatedly behaves in a way that makes you feel scared, threatened or distressed.
Support for victims of stalking or harassment
The CPS is committed to taking steps to help victims and witnesses through the often-difficult experience of becoming involved in the criminal justice system.
Where to get help?
Suzy Lamplugh Trust
The Suzy Lamplugh Trust is a charity that provides training, advice and campaigns for personal safety and stalking awareness. It runs the National Stalking Helpline and supports victims of stalking.
National Stalking Helpline (0808 8020 300)
This helpline offers practical help for anyone who has been affected by stalking or harassment and has an online tool that can help you identify whether you're being stalked. The helpline is open: 09:30 - 20:00, Monday and Wednesday, 09:30 - 16:00, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday. The Helpline is not open on weekends or bank holidays.
Paladin Service
https://www.paladinservice.co.uk/
Paladin provides trained Independent Stalking Advocacy Caseworkers (ISACs) who can offer specialist support and advice to victims of stalking. They will help work with the victim and the police throughout an investigation and give support to the victim during the court process. Victims can get support from an ISAC even if they haven’t reported to the police yet. Paladin also has ISACs who work with young people (aged 16 and above) who have been victims of stalking.- 020 3866 4107.
Alice Ruggles Trust
https://alicerugglestrust.org/
Raises awareness of coercive control and stalking to help victims seek help sooner.
Karma Nirvana
A specialist charity for victims and survivors of so-called 'honour’-based abuse in the UK.
Refuge
https://refuge.org.uk/about-refuge/
Helps victims rebuild their lives and overcome different forms of violence and abuse.
Refuge runs the National Domestic Abuse Helpline (0808 2000 247).
Unwanted Prisoner Contact Service Helpline
0300 060 6699
Offers advice to anyone receiving unwanted contact from an offender who is in prison. The helpline is available from Monday to Friday, 9am to 4pm. You can also email [email protected] or make a 'non-contact' request on the gov.uk website.
You can find further support on the CPS DA legal guidance – Annex E
CPS VAWG Strategy 2025-2030
The CPS is currently developing an updated Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) Strategy for 2025-2030. This will set out a plan of action to improve prosecutions of these crimes and strengthen the support available to victims over the next five years. Once the Strategy is published, you will be able to access it here.