How can I gather evidence to prove stalking?
If you’re going to gather evidence to prove stalking ONRECORD is by far the best way to keep detailed notes of what has been happening and what happens next. With ONRECORD, as well as keeping the actual records with supporting evidence, you keep a calendar and timeline to show easily and quickly when and what happened. You can also rate how much each event worried or upset you so the most serious events can be identified quickly too. All of your records, which get sorted by ONRECORD into date/time order can be shared securely with someone you choose and who you can then message in-app for support/advice. You can share with a professional and/or a family member or friend depending on who you trust.
How do I go about gathering evidence to prove stalking?
When you gather evidence to prove stalking you should make a record every time something happens and also make retrospective records to cover those things that you can recall. You may start to see a pattern developing that will help you and your advisers/supporters understand your case. You’ll certainly be able to see frequency of the problems you’re encountering and their seriousness. Seeing something displayed on a calendar or a timeline starts to help you put things in perspective. You’ll be pleased you kept records, as you’ll have something you can show an advisor or take to the police and get help more quickly. When you decide to take action the records can be downloaded in the form of a chronology.
How will I know what to record to gather evidence to prove stalking?
You’ll find lots of helpful guidance on this website about stalking, making records and what kind of things to record. Here are some of them but explore our website and video guidance for more help.
Stalking – https://www.myonrecord.com/onrecord-helps-you-with/stalking/
How to make good records –
https://www.myonrecord.com/how-to-make-good-records/
Record keeping example of a stalking case
https://www.myonrecord.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/NewStalking-Case-Study.pdf
You will also find a wealth of information and help on the Suzy Lamplugh Trust National Stalking Helpline
And on GovUK https://www.gov.uk/report-stalker
Why should I gather evidence to prove stalking?
When you’re having to take some form of action the first thing you always have to do, whoever you talk to, is explain what’s been going on. If it’s something that’s spread over a year or so with lots of different things happening from time to time, you won’t be able to remember them all. What memory you do have may not be in enough detail or have enough supporting evidence you can still get your hands on to prove what you’re saying. You may not be able to remember clearly what order things happened in. You’ll be on the back foot and anxious, knowing that you can’t tell the story well enough. However, if you used ONRECORD to gather evidence to prove stalking and made detailed records every time, then the whole timeline and all your evidence will be there for you to share and get help.
Getting help when you gather evidence about stalking
Getting help with stalking is crucial but it can be very hard to get the attention your situation needs. Services such as the police have resources which are stretched. Many police authorities are being criticized for failing to help and understand complainants, sometimes resulting in tragic outcomes. You need to get their attention and make them take you seriously. Being well prepared is one way of making sure your case is dealt with properly. A half baked account of what’s happened to you with next to nothing in the way of supporting evidence won’t get as good a reaction from the police or a lawyer as a well written full account backed up with lots of supporting evidence. You’ll be perceived as someone who’s organized and reliable too, which also makes people take you seriously. You’ll have a record which has kept all your evidence together in one place so the police will be forced to see it as a whole rather than a series of unconnected events dealt with by different personnel. Your lawyer will take less time to understand what has been happening and start to prepare a statement.
Don’t leave your situation to chance and just hope that if the time comes, someone else will sort things out for you. Take control and collect the evidence yourself. You’ll probably do a better job yourself and you’ll certainly do a better job than a police officer or lawyer who’s distracted by a large caseload already.