A new campaign from Crime Stoppers Victoria and Victoria Police, ‘Stalking is a Crime’   has been launched to highlight to the community the seriousness of stalking.  

Stalking is incredibly harmful behaviour. It is not a single incident, but a pattern of repeated behaviour by another person over time, which causes a victim to feel distressed, fearful or worried about their safety, or the safety of others. 

Harmful behaviours can include loitering near a victim’s house, publishing material on social media, interfering with the victim’s property or keeping a victim under surveillance. 

Someone who stalks can be an ex-partner, a family member, or a friend. It could also be someone less well known, such as a colleague or someone who lives in the neighbourhood, or even a complete stranger. 

Figures from the Crime Statistics Agency show there were 2642 stalking offences reported in the year to March 2024. 

More than half of these reports were related to family violence. 

Today the campaign launched with a panel discussion at Swinburne University, featuring experts from Victoria Police, Safe Steps and No to Violence. The panel provided an in-depth discussion about the dangers of stalking, how to recognise the signs of stalking and offered attendees insights into stalking prevention. 

Chief Executive of Crime Stoppers Victoria Stella Smith shared that as family violence offences continue to rise, understanding stalking and the harm it causes has never been so important, “We want people to feel empowered to address any stalking behaviour and to know where to turn to for support.” 

“Stalking is a serious crime and we want to ensure that Victorians understand the severity of stalking, that they are not alone, and that they are confident in seeking help” Ms Smith said.  

The panel at Swinburne is only the first step in a month-long campaign aimed at educating Victorians on how to recognise the signs of stalking, how to report the crime, and how to access the support services that are available. 

Acting Superintendent Tom Nairn from Victoria Police Family Violence Command says that stalking is a growing problem – with the misuse of technology and social media making it easier for offenders to carry out the crime. 

“Becoming a victim of stalking can happen to anyone at any time – so if you suspect or know it’s occurring to someone please speak up.  

“It’s incredibly harmful behaviour – and perpetrators need to be held to account. 

“The more information we have, the more we can do something about it to keep victims safe.” 

Crime Stoppers Victoria and Victoria Police are committed to responding to stalking and urge those that are experiencing stalking, or know of someone who is, to make a report. Any information provided will help to stop those committing the crime of stalking and prevent them from causing further harm. 

There are three ways in which you can report stalking to police: 

1. Triple 000 if there is a current and imminent threat to your safety. 
2. Directly to a police officer via a local police station at any time.
3. If you have information about someone being stalked, share with Crime Stoppers Victoria online or call 1800 333 000.

In an emergency, or if there is an immediate threat to life, always call 000. If you can’t get to a phone, ask someone else to do it for you. 

There are also many support services available which can be found on the Crime Stoppers Victoria website.