Hampshire domestic abuse charity warns technology is being weaponised by stalkers more than ever
The Stop Domestic Abuse charity received 543 referrals for stalking alone
Last updated 21 hours ago
A Hampshire charity is telling us they've seen a huge rise in technology being weaponised by stalkers to control their victims.
This week is National Stalking Awareness Week with various groups around the country raising awareness of stalking and encouraging anyone who may be experiencing it to report it.
The Stop Domestic Abuse charity received 543 referrals for stalking alone last year
Chelsea Hazlett, who is the service manager at the charity, has been telling us about one of the new methods being used
"Household home apps being hacked into. So for example, we've had clients where they've come home and their house was like a sauna and they're thinking, "I'm sure I didn't leave the heating on."
People often think about stalking as somebody being a physical presence. Stalking is so much more than that."
Chelsea added what type of impact this method can have on a victim
"With that particular element of stalking using home apps to turn on heating. So you've got the element of the psychological impact of "have they been in my home to do this or have they used an app?"
So you've got that psychological element, but you've also got the financial implications. because how long has that heating been on for? How long that heating's been on for and on full blast?"
Chelsea also spoke about how trackers were becoming more and more common
"We've seen tracking devices being put into the soles of shoes. We've also seen a huge increase in the use of children's items being used.
So toys, even in children's shoes, tracking devices, thrown into backpacks to be able to track where they are when they're with their children."
How to identifying stalking
The common acronym used to identify stalking is FOUR:
- Fixated: A deep, intense focus on the victim, characterized by spying, following them, or loitering near their home or workplace.
- Obsessive: The suspect is entirely preoccupied with the victim, dedicating immense time, effort, and resources to them. It includes cyberstalking and monitoring.
- Unwanted: The attentions are clearly unwelcome. This includes unwanted gifts, letters, messages, and calls.
- Repeated: The behaviour is not a one-off incident. It is a sustained, persistent campaign of harassment
Chelsea told us about the overall impact stalking can have on a victim
"Stalking has a huge impact on a victim survivor's mental health and their well-being. So it can impact them in terms of their isolation, social isolation. So not wanting to go out of fear."
It impacts them financially because often the stalking will carry on into their workspace. We've seen victims where they've lost their job or they've been signed off sick and aren't able to attend work.
Long after the stalking's even finished, victims are still psychologically impacted by the stalking they've experienced."