Just stalking's gone global!

El Salvador does not specifically define or outline stalking, and they do differentiate between stalking and harassment (Mckenzie, 2023). However, there are two types of harassment, "workplace harassment" and "sexual harassment."

• Article 8 of the SCVW defines "workplace harassment" as systematic and recurrent physical or psychological hostile action against a woman, for being a woman in the workplace, with the purpose of isolating, intimidating or destroying communication networks, damaging her reputation, discrediting work performed or disturbing or hindering the performance of her duties . 
• "Sexual harassment" (Article 165 of the PC) is sexual conduct unwanted by the recipient, involving phrases, touching, gestures or other unequivocal conduct of a sexual nature or content (Article 165 of the PC).

Additionally, there are other laws that may be applicable to the stalking behavior:

• Psychological violence (Article 3 of the LADV): A direct or indirect action, or omission, with the intent of controlling or degrading the actions, behaviors, beliefs and decisions of another. This may be by intimidation, manipulation, direct or indirect threat, humiliation, isolation or any other conduct or omission that causes damage to the psychological health, self-determination, integral development or personal growth of an individual.
• Violence against women (Article 8 of the SCVW): This is any action taken against a woman because of her gender that causes sexual or psychological suffering, physical or sexual assault or "damage," or death, in both the public and private spheres.
• Domestic violence (Article 3 of the LADV): DV or "intrafamilial violence" is any direct or indirect action or omission that causes physical, sexual or psychological suffering or harm, or even the death of family members.

According to Article 105 of the CP, a "victim" is considered the person directly offended by the crime, the spouse, life partner, relatives within the fourth degree of consanguinity or second degree of affinity, son or adoptive father, or testamentary heir in crimes whose result is the death of the offended person (Mckenzie, 2023). Article 8 of the SCVW defines both "indirect" and "direct" victims. The law does explicitly draw a distinction between a direct victim being a woman and an indirect victim being a person (Mckenzie, 2023). Article 8 of the SCVW defines an "abuser" or "aggressor" as anyone who exercises any type of violence against women, in an unequal relationship of power and in any of its forms (Mckenzie, 2023). While there is not a direct translation from English to Spanish, protection/peace order (PPOs) local regulations in El Salvador define protection orders as "judicial orders" (Orden Judicial) or "precautionary measures" (medidas cautelares or medidas de protección), which are orders to protect the victim from the aggressor (Article 7 of the LADV). (Mckenzie, 2023)

The Violation against Person Act 2015, made stalking a crime (Okoye, et al, 2021). Section 17, specifically states that a person who stalks another commits an offense and is liable on conviction to a term of imprisonment not to exceed two years or a fine not to exceed five hundred thousand Naira, or both. An attempt to stalk another person evokes a jail term not to exceed one year or a fine not to exceed two hundred thousand Naira, or both. Section 17 holds anyone liable for inciting another person to commit stalking, they can be imprisoned for not more than one year or a fine of two hundred thousand Naira. To aid a stalker makes the perpetrator an accessory after the fact and can result in a jail term not exceeding a year imprisonment or a fine not exceeding one hundred thousand Naira.

Nigeria's laws also protects against Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention) Act 2015 also provides against stalking; (Okoye, et al, 2021). Section 24 (1) of the Act specifically addresses cyberstalking (Okoye, et al, 2021). “Any person who knowingly or intentionally sends a message or other materials by means of computer system or network, [this can involves the use of all social media platforms such as Facebook, Whatsapp, Instagram, Snap chat, Skype, Twitter, and Blackberry Messenger etc.] that is grossly offensive, pornographic or of an indecent, obscene or mincing character or causes any such message, matter to be sent or he knows to be false, for the purpose of causing annoyance, inconvenience , danger, obstruction, insult, injury, criminal intimidation, enmity, hatred, ill-will or needless anxiety to another or causes such a message to be sent,” (Okoye, et al, 2021, p. 24). Being found guilty of these crime(s) carries a higher penalty of seven million Naira or imprisonment not to exceed a term of 3 years or both.

On average one person each month is a victim of stalking in the capital city (Buchser, 2010). Experts say the number of cases probably hasn’t increased but due to publicity surrounding prominent cases victims are more likely to report. Germany and Austria, in contrast to Switzerland, have special anti-stalking laws. There have been attempts to establish a specific legislation in 2007 and 2008 but both failed.  The cabinet believes that existing criminal laws are adequate, and additional legislation would be ineffective, potentially criminalizing 'normal' behavior (SRP, nd., np.). 

Criminal offenses charged in relation to stalking behavior in Switzerland include: 

• Assault (Art. 122, 123 and 125 StGB) or acts of aggression (Art. 126 StGB)
• Theft (Art. 139 StGB) or criminal damage (Art. 144 StGB)
• Threatening behaviour, coercion and extortion (Art. 156, 180 und 181 StGB)
• Offence against personal honour (Art. 173–177 StGB) 
• Misuse of a telecommunications installation (Art. 179septies StGB) 
• Unlawful entry (Art. 186 StGB) (Dachorganisation der Frauenhäuser Schweiz und Liechtenstein)

Additionally, (2) Civil Law can be used to applied to stalking behavior: 

Civil code 28: Protection of Personality – 28b: Protection against Violence, Threats and Stalking, which was established in 2007. The victim can apply at the court that the stalker isnʼt allowed to

1. approach him/her;
2. loiter around the house or other places where the victim might spend his/her time;
3. contact him/her via phone, letters or through other electronic means.

Code 28b can be applied independently from a penal prosecution.

The restraining order can be linked with a threat of punishment. If the stalker breaks the restraining order, he can be prosecuted for Disobedience Against an Official Order under Penal Code 292. The punishment is a money fine.

However, it should be recognized that, utilizing  the civil law means that the victim has to participate, there must be enough evidence, and there might be financial costs for the victim (SRP, nd, np.).

Emergencycall: 117

This website is designed for professionals working with victims or perpetrators of stalking. They provide information and training on the Stalking Risk Profile (SRP), a structured risk assessment guide for clinicians, as well as links to useful information about stalking, legislation, the latest stalking research, and ways to find an expert on stalking in your area.  As this is primarily a sight for professionals, they provide limited direct service resources, however, they do include some victim resources. The majority of their resources are links for the UK and other European countries. They also provide general assistance and resources.

Stalking reports have grown dramatically in India, however the conviction rate is only 26.6% according to Basant (2020). National Crime Records Bureau ( NCRB) data suggests a total of 7,190 stalking cases have been reported in India according to Basant (2020). Maharashtra reported the largest number of stalking cases with 1,587, Delhi registered 835 of these cases. Charges were filed against 7,073 cases, only 480 were convicted; a notable increase of 4,699 identified in 2014 (Basant, 2020). A first-time stalking conviction is, sadly, "bailable;" repeat offenses are considered "non-bailable." While stalking has increased by 50% in the last three years, the rate of prosecution is still negligible.

Stalking has been recognised as a crime in India following the Criminal Law Reform Act of 2013, which adopted Section 354-D; prior to this there was no legal definition for harassment or cyberstalking in India (Basant, 2020). The law defines stalking as:

1. 1) Any man who tracks a woman and approaches or tries to contact such a woman to encourage personal engagement regularly given a strong sign of such a woman’s disinterest; or
2. 2) controls the use of the Internet by a woman, email or some other means of electronic communication, commits an offence of stalking.

There is also a provision addressing a portion of cyberstalking however, the 2013 amendment resulting in IPC Section 354 D does not address all aspects of cyberstalking. On the part of the law, there is no effort to describe the term cyberbullying or to clarify what it means to control the use of any electronic communication. This law only addresses privacy violations, which does not address certain issues such as implicit or explicit threats on social media. It also doesn’t address the issue of harassment by proxy-stalkers.

Section 354D(2) makes the crime punishable by incarceration in the event of the first arrest for a term not exceeding three years with the fine. A subsequent offense has a fine and imprisonment for a fixed term of five years (Basat, 2020). 

Veritas Justice is a community organization providing support, advocacy and advice for stalking victims and the professionals.

Their services offer practical help, current safety advice and support to victims of stalking, combining professional expertise with personal experience.

Their programs include Advocacy: Including raising awareness, training, and supporting and advocating for stalking-victims. They provide practical support, advocacy and advise to service-users and professionals.

Their service offers confidential advice and support for victims. They also provide cyber and online safety and support resources/tips. They also run a range of workshops and training sessions for stalking and cyberstalking and litigant in person workshops.

Their mission is to reduce the risk and prevalence of abuse, aggression, and violence - with a specific focus on stalking and harassment - through education, campaigning, and support.

Their organization supports a national stalking/harassment hotline

You will be connected to a Helpline advisor who will explain our confidentiality policy and ask for details about your case so they can provide guidance and assistance.  

The Helpline advisor will if you have been to the police and about your feelings. If any questions are too personal then you do not need to answer. The Helpline advisor will give you information and advice that you may or may not decide to follow. Advisors may recommend follow-up services or procedures. 

If you contact the helpline via our online form, a Helpline Advisor will respond to you by email. Please be aware the demand for our service is very high, online requests may result in delays. If you need advice quickly, we would suggest you call the helpline. 

09:30 - 20:00, Monday and Wednesday

09:30 - 16:00, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday

Action Against Stalking is a non-gendered service for victims of stalking. They provide a unique throughcare service designed to address all aspects of stalking.

They support victims to regain control of their lives. They employ experts in stalking and stalkers and understand just how brutal the experience of being stalked can be. If you choose to report to the police they can act as advocates on your behalf and can help you navigate the criminal justice system. 

We also act as the voice of victims of stalking in the public domain, working to improve public understanding of stalking, improve policy support and improve provision of services.    

We do this by: 

• educating and informing others about the harm caused to people’s lives by stalking 
• championing the rights of those affected by stalking 
• supporting victims of stalking  

Action Against Stalking is a Scottish registered charity with an expert board including criminologists, academics and clinicians. 

Works to raise awareness of stalking (including coercive control) in England and Wales, to ensure that relevant legislation is effective and adhered to, and to bring about lasting improvements in the management of perpetrators and the protection of victims.

They aim to prevent what happened to Alice happening to others, by:

• raising awareness of coercive control and stalking and their dangers;
• working to ensure that stalking offences result in immediate action both to protect the victim and to deal effectively with the perpetrator;
• providing education and training;
• campaigning for improved legal measures; and 
• supporting relevant research.

PAS works to raise public awareness about stalking and support victims by providing specialized support services. One of their missions is highlighting the importance of early intervention. They also provide risk assessments and safety planning, unique to each victim.