Stalking

Cyber-stalking is stalking that is enabled through the use of online tools and technologies. This can include hacking into your online accounts, surveillance and sending you unsolicited messages. Stalkers can use any of your social media accounts to follow your movements so it is important to ensure that your accounts are private, location settings are switched off, you restrict what information you share and what your friends tag you in.
More information on Cyber Stalking

Access Support

Speak out to family, friends, a personal tutor, Security, Support Adviser, Specialist Service and Police so that you don't have to deal with this alone. Accessing emotional support as well as practical support can help you to manage your experiences.

Be safe online

Ensure your online accounts and social media are secure and that location settings are switched off. Be mindful of what you share on social media and what you are tagged in; particularly things that will identify where you are such as checking in at a location. If you feel it is safe to do so, cease all contact with the person who is contacting you. However, you may wish to keep the line of communication open if it is safe to do so, for the purpose of collating evidence.

Change routine

Change the day/times you leave or attend certain places and alter the route you take. Ask a friend to go with you and/or consider speaking to the University Security team to escort you to and from campus to your car. Carry a charged mobile phone with you at all times and have emergency contacts saved. If you feel unsafe when travelling home, for example whilst using public transport, you can contact the Police via 101 or 999 in an emergency. If you are on campus you can alert security. Download smartphone apps such as Holly Guard and Safe Zone.

Document

If it is safe to do so, you should keep a log of every incident. This will help you to remember what is happening and will also demonstrate a pattern of behaviour that may support you when reporting stalking to Police.
Further information on keeping a log

Emergency

In an emergency, always dial 999.

The Suzy Lamplugh Trust provides a wealth of information to support victims of Stalking.
Essential information for victims of stalking

Download Smartphone Apps

SafeZone
The Universities free Safe Zone app allows you to call for help and alerts security staff to your situation and location when you are on campus. We advise that you download the app and alert Security if you are concerned or in danger.

Hollie Guard
The Hollie Guard is a free app that with a tap or a shake, will alert your nominated contacts of your location and will send audio and video evidence to them. It also has a reporting function, allowing you to keep a record of incidents. The Hollie Guard app also allows you to plan your route and will alert your nominated contacts when you arrive at your destination. The app will also alert if you do not arrive at your planned location too.

Within Student and Library Services, we have a team of welfare advisers who will listen to you, explore your options and point you in the direction of specialist support; this is led by you so you can choose whether you access recommended support or not. We will not refer you to any services without your consent. However, if you are identified as being at risk of harm or a safeguarding concern is identified, we may have a duty to share this information to the relevant service.

Our Student Advisers have access to internal services within the university, including academic support; as well as links with external services to ensure you are given the appropriate support and advice.

To access support from our Student Advisers please email studentlife@tees.ac.uk.

We will ensure you receive the most appropriate support to help you to feel safe and supported throughout your time at University.

We recognise that some students may have accessibility needs when attending an appointment. This includes, but is not limited to, learning, communication and sensory difficulties as well as mobility, visual and hearing impairments. If you would like to discuss any particular requirements, please email studentlife@tees.ac.uk in advance of your appointment and we can discuss any adaptations required to meet your individual needs.

If you or someone you know is being stalked, we encourage you to seek specialist stalking support:

National Stalking Helpline

Operated by the Suzy Lamplugh Trust, the National Stalking Helpline gives practical information, support, and advice on risk, safety planning and legislation to victims of stalking, their friends, family, and professionals working with victims.

The National Stalking Helpline can be contacted on 0808 802 0300.

The opening hours are 9.30am - 8.30pm Monday and Wednesday (Closed Bank Holidays) and 9.30am - 4.00pm Tuesday, Thursday and Friday.

Specialist Stalking Websites

• Suzy Lamplugh Trust
• Protection Against Stalking

Local Support Services

Victim care and advice service
VCAS offer care, advice and support for victims of crime, including Stalking, across Cleveland, Durham and Darlington. To access this service call 0303 040 1099, 9am-5pm Monday - Friday.

Local Support Services

If you are being stalked by an ex-partner or family member, in addition to accessing specialist stalking support, you can also make self-referrals to the below Domestic Abuse services by either contacting them directly or completing their online referral forms. The below services can offer you support and advice, including safety planning, housing, crime prevention, civil orders and support for children.

Harbour Support Services
Specialist Domestic Abuse Support Service for adults and children of all genders and ages living in Middlesbrough, Hartlepool and Stockton-on-Tees. To refer to their services call their 24/7 number on 03000 202525 or visit their website.

My Sisters Place
Specialist Domestic Abuse Support Service for females living the Middlesbrough area. To refer to their services call 01642 241 864 or visit their website.

Eva Women's Aid
Specialist Domestic Abuse Support Service for females living in the Redcar area. To refer to this service call 07525591971/ 01642490677 Monday to Friday 9.00am - 5.00pm.

Foundation
Specialist Domestic Abuse Support Service for all genders living in the Redcar area. To refer to this service call 0300 4562214.

Halo Project
The Halo project supports all genders in relation to Honour Based Violence, Forced Marriage, Female Genital Mutilation, Modern Day Slavery, Human Trafficking and Sexual Exploitation. To access this service contact 01642 683045 or visit their website. In an emergency you can also contact (free-phone) 0808 178 8424.

National Domestic Abuse Services

National Domestic Abuse Helpline
The National Domestic Abuse Helpline are available 24hours and can be contacted on 0808 2000 247.

Men's Advice Line
The Men's Advice Line is a confidential helpline for male victims of domestic abuse and those supporting them. They can be contacted on 0808 8010327 Monday to Friday 10.00am - 8.00pm.

Emergency services

You can contact the emergency services by dialling 999. This number should be used in an emergency for either Police, Ambulance or Fire service.

For a non-emergency response, you can contact the police by dialling 101.

Campus security

Campus security contribute towards ensuring a safe environment for staff, students and visitors. They are based within the University Library and are available 24 hours a day.

You can contact Security on 01642 342086 or in cases of an emergency extension 3200. We would also recommend you download the SafeZone app which allows you to call for help and alerts staff to your situation and location so they can co-ordinate help to you quickly.
Find out more about the campus security team

SHOUT

SHOUT is a free confidential anonymous service for anyone in the UK. Trained volunteers are available 24/7 to listen and support you. To start a conversation text the word SHOUT to 85258.

Samaritans

Samaritans are available 24/7 and provide free confidential support. You can make contact by calling 116 123 for an immediate conversation. Samaritans also offer an email service as some people prefer to write their thoughts down. You can do this by emailing jo@Samaritans.org and receive a response within 24 hours.

If the person who is stalking you is another Student you may consider reporting your experience formally to the University under the Student Code of Conduct highlighted by Student Casework Office (SCO). This is a separate process to speaking to our welfare advisers and may lead to a formal investigation.
Guide for students, the complaints form and the Student Complaints Policy and Procedure

The Students' Union can provide you with free, independent advice and guidance relating to a student complaint. You are encouraged to seek independent advice from the Students Union before submitting your application form. You can access the Students' Union by visiting or emailing suss@tees-su.org.uk.

Stalking is a criminal offence. You can report any incident of stalking or harassment to the Police at any time.

Cleveland Police can be contacted via 101 (non-emergency), or if it is an emergency and you could be in danger contact 999.

For further information about reporting stalking to the Police please visit Cleveland Police's website.

If you are undecided about reporting to the Police but would like to find out more information, you can contact our Student Advisers who can refer you to our on-campus Police Community Support Officers (PCSO). They will be able to explain the reporting process and answer any questions you may have. To arrange this, please email studentlife@tees.ac.uk.

It is entirely your decision whether you wish to report to the Police or not. You can access support from our Student Advisers regardless of your decision.

There are many misconceptions around stalking; below are a few examples. It is important to know that it isn't your fault, and it is not ok.

Stalking isn't a crime

FALSE - In England and Wales, under the Projection from Harassment Act 1997, stalking is a crime.

You can't be stalked by someone you know

FALSE - Most people are stalked by someone they know. This can include partners, ex-partners, colleagues and neighbours. People can also be stalked by strangers. No matter who your stalker is we would encourage people to seek support from specialist services and report to the Police.

Your stalker is stalking you because they 'love' you

FALSE - Feeling distressed or in fear of your safety is not love.

Communicating or meeting with your stalker will stop their behaviour

FALSE - If it is safe to do so, people should cease all contact with their stalker and seek support from the Police and specialist services. They should never meet up with them. Deleting social media accounts does not always ensure safety as stalkers may find other ways to monitor or contact their victims.

All stalking victims are female

FALSE - Anyone can be a victim of stalking. Regardless of their gender, every victim should receive the same standard of support.

Support is also available for students who have been accused of stalking or are subject to the internal disciplinary processes or a Police investigation. You can access wellbeing support from a dedicated member of staff who can assist you in accessing internal and external support services and liaising with departments as needed. If you wish to access this support, please email studentlife@tees.ac.uk and identify in the email that the type of support you require is due to an accusation made against you, so that we can ensure we put the most appropriate support in place.

Listen

Listen to them and believe them. Do not minimise or blame them for what is happening, it is not their fault.

Support

Support them emotionally and practically and ensure the support you provide is led by them. If it is safe for you to do so, accompany them when required.

Advise

Advise them to document everything that is happening.

Inform

Inform them of the support available from specialist services, Police and the University (including the formal reporting route if it involves another student).

If they are in immediate danger, dial 999.

The Student Welfare and Advice service is a free and confidential service to all Teesside University students meaning, any information you provide us can only be seen by appropriate members of staff involved in helping you access support.

There may be times you wish for your Student Adviser to speak with internal or external services. This would only be done with your informed consent. There are however some exceptions where we have a duty of care to share information without your consent. These situations are detailed below:

• if you or anyone else is at risk of harm
• if there is a concern regarding safeguarding of children or vulnerable adults
• if there is a legal requirement, for example at a court hearing.

Under the General Data Protection Regulations, we are obliged to tell you how we collect and use your personal data. Please note enquiries and appointments with our service are tracked electronically and the personal data of your enquiry is stored in protected files. We keep this data to enable us to track your enquiry and our response for future reference. This personal information will be retained for 7 years after which it will be destroyed securely.

For more information, please refer to the University's General Privacy Notice for students.

If you would like to provide any service feedback or make a complaint about the service you have received, in the first instance please contact Studentlife@tees.ac.uk.

If you would like to make a formal complaint, please refer to the information provided on the Student Casework Office (SCO) complaints page.