Stalking and harassment is a pattern of behaviour characterised by unwanted, repeated, fixated, and obsessive focus on the victim. A Stalking and Harassment offence occurs when a person engages in a pattern of behaviour directed at another individual by committing one or more specified acts (see below) on at least two separate occasions within a two-year period, knowing that their behaviour is likely to cause fear or distress to that person. Stalking can occur within family and intimate relationships, with strangers, or acquaintances.
A specified act is behaviour towards another person including:
- watching, following, loitering near, or obstructing
- recording or tracking
- contacting or communicating
- damaging, devaluing, moving, entering, or interfering with taonga or property (including pets) that the person has an interest in, whether or not the instigator has an interest in that taonga or property
- damaging or undermining reputation, opportunities, or relationships
- publishing any statement or other material relating to or purporting to relate to, or
- purporting to originate from the other person
- acting in any way that would cause fear or distress to a reasonable person.
Third parties: A specified act can be done directly or indirectly to any third-party individual, institution, or organisation with or without knowledge of the third party.
Please tell us about
In as much detail as you can, please tell us about the stalking and harassment. For example, what happened, when, and where. Please tell us about every occasion or incident, and what impact this has had on you, or the person being stalked if it is not you.
Is it an emergency?
- Is this happening now?
- Does it feel like the situation could get heated or violent soon?
- Is someone in immediate danger?
- Do you need support right away?
If so, please call 111 now.
If the incident doesn’t need urgent police or emergency services and you’re not in immediate danger, you can make a report online to Police.