stalking and harassment

What is the difference between stalking and harassment?

Harassment

“Harassment is described as unreasonable and oppressive unwanted behaviour that is repeated and may cause alarm or distress or fear of violence in the victim.”

Examples of harassment include:

• Bullying at school or at work
• Antisocial behaviour
• Sending abusive messages online or via text message
• Sending unwanted correspondence

Stalking

Harassment is lower in frequency and severity than stalking. It is often related more to disputes.

Police.uk - What is stalking and harassment?

What is the difference between stalking and harassment?

Harassment

Stalking is more aggressive than harassment and involves fixation and obsession. The behaviour is unwanted and occurs on multiple occasions.

Examples of stalking behaviour include:

• Regularly following the victim
• Repeatedly going uninvited to their home
• Checking their electronic communication, e.g. emails
• Watching or spying on the victim
• Interfering with their property

Stalking

"Stalking may be understood as a pattern of Fixated, Obsessive, Unwanted and Repeated (FOUR) behaviour which is intrusive."

Crown Prosecution Service