What is stalking and why is it dangerous?
Stalking – is a manifestation of psychological violence in which the perpetrator pursues the victim in real life or online and obsessively demands their attention.
How stalking manifests itself:
- constant calls, messages, or emails, even after ignoring or rejecting
- surveillance of a person, constant “random” meetings near home, study or work
- obsessive comments and reactions on social media
- creating fake accounts for control
- attempts to find out personal information through friends or acquaintances
Why stalking is dangerous
The danger of stalking lies not only in discomfort, but also in serious consequences for a person's mental and physical state.
Because stalking is a constant stress. A person feels that they are constantly being watched, because of this they cease to feel safe even in places where they used to be calm. They may also experience a fear of leaving the house, problems with sleeping, or a feeling of helplessness.
Why it's not "just attention"
It is important to understand: persistence without consent is not romance or a manifestation of love. Caring always respects boundaries. If a person is uncomfortable, any actions, even “good intentions,” become a violation.
What to do if you are experiencing stalking
- Keep all evidence: screenshots of correspondence, calls, emails.
- Record the time, place, and circumstances of each meeting or unwanted contact with the stalker.
- Block the stalker on all social networks and messengers.
- Restrict access to your social media pages (make them private).
- Turn off geolocation on your phone and avoid posts that reveal your real-time location.
Stalking is not a small thing or an "exaggeration." It is a violation of personal boundaries that can have serious consequences. It is important to recognize it in time and not be left alone with it.
If you have been a victim of domestic violence or gender discrimination, please contact the National Hotline for Prevention of Domestic Violence, Human Trafficking and Gender Discrimination for advice and assistance:
📱116 123
☎ 0 800 500 335
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This post was made possible by the support of the Norwegian people through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Norway (MFA of Norway) within the framework of the project “Building a Gender-Inclusive Recovery with the Women’s Movement of Ukraine” (GEN-Recovery). Responsibility for the content of the information lies with the NGO “La Strada-Ukraine”. The information presented in this post does not necessarily reflect the views of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Norway or the Government of Norway.
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