STALKING AND HARASSMENT SCREENING QUESTIONS
(S-DASH)
Stalking is about fixation and obsession. It is not just low level nuisance behaviour. For example we know through research and analysis that 1 in 2 domestic stalkers, if they make a threat, will act on it. For this reason, all threats must be taken seriously. There's a subset of questions in the DASH which focus on stalking risk factors. Ensure you are trained to identify, assess and manage stalking cases and stalkers. Following the successful All Party Parliamentary Stalking Law Reform Inquiry, stalking became a criminal offence in 2012.
Stalking-Law-Reform-Findings-Report-2012
Stalking is about fixation and obsession. It is a high risk factor for serious harm and homicide, as well as serious psychological harm if left unchecked. For this reason there are specific questions in the DASH about stalking and a subset of 12 Risk Screening Questions, S-DASH:
Are you very frightened?
Is there previous domestic abuse or stalking/harassment history?
Have they vandalized or destroyed your property?
Have they turned up unannounced more than three times a week?
Have they followed or loitered near your home or workplace?
Have they made threats of a physical or sexual violence nature?
Have they harassed or stalked any third party since the harassment began?
Have they acted violently towards anyone else during the stalking incident?
Have they engaged other people to help with their activities?
Has the stalker had problems in the past year with drugs, alcohol or mental health?
Is the stalker suicidal? Is there last resort thinking/finality?
Have they ever been in trouble with the police or do they have a criminal history?
For further specialist advice and support please call:
Paladin, the National Stalking Advocacy Service 020 3866 4107
http://www.paladinservice.co.uk
If you are a victim of stalking
For further specialist advice and support please call Paladin, the National Stalking Advocacy Service 020 3866 4107 www.paladinservice.co.uk
Stalking is about fixation and obsession.
Stalking is insidious and a pattern of behaviour that often includes online and offline behaviour.
Do not think it is any less serious if there has been no physical violence.
The pattern of stalking behaviour is often missed and stalkers can ad do escalate to murder. Yet stalking is the area professionals receive the least training despite the damage and serious harm stalkers cause to their victims and to themselves. It's why Laura calls these cases murders in slow motion™️
We have an opportunity to prevent murders and save lives by identifying stalking, collecting evidence, assessing and managing risk, and putting stalkers before the courts for their stalking behaviour. Too often victims are not believed or taken seriously. We have to change this. Ensure you are trained by expert Laura Richards. Laura runs masterclasses that center the victim(s) and focus on the perpetrator. Email laurarichardstraining@gmail.com