The crime was brought into legislation in Scotland, Great Britain, and across Europe largely thanks to the tireless efforts of Dr Ann Moulds CBE, herself a survivor of stalking and the founder of Action Against Stalking — the only dedicated charity I know that exists solely to support victims.
When people think of stalking, they often imagine the stereotype: a woman pursued by an obsessed man — perhaps a rejected lover or estranged partner. The reality, however, is far broader. Men can be stalked by women, men by men, and women by women. In my own experience — being stalked by another man, and knowing a woman stalked by another woman — neither of us found justice in the courtroom.
I wrote this book initially as a therapeutic exercise to help process trauma. Research shows that writing stimulates brain activity through hand–eye coordination, reducing stress and supporting healing. But beyond personal recovery, my deeper motivation was to help others — to give current and future victims hope. There is light at the end of the tunnel, and there are steps you can take to protect yourself.
Some alarming facts:
• 11.8% of men and women in Scotland have experienced stalking.
• Across the UK, an estimated 1.6 million stalking cases are reported annually.
• 1 in 11 men in the UK will experience stalking in their lifetime.
• 25% of stalking victims report suicidal thoughts.
• In 76% of femicide cases, the victim had previously been stalked by the perpetrator.
• Victims typically report their stalker only after 100 incidents.
• Action Against Stalking receives around 50 new cases each month at the time of writing.
If you know someone who may be a victim of stalking or feels powerless against it, please share this pocket-sized book with them. It could quite literally save a life.