Stalking and unwanted behaviour
Support for people experiencing stalking, harassment or unwanted contact
What is stalking?
Stalking is a pattern of repeated, unwanted behaviour that can cause fear, distress or harm.1 This can include someone repeatedly contacting, harassing or monitoring you. Stalkers may also threaten and harass your family members, pets, friends or workmates.
If someone’s behaviour makes you feel scared, unsafe or uncomfortable — it is not okay, even if it is someone you know, such as a partner, ex-partner or family member. You have the right to feel safe and be free of harassment.
What can stalking look like?
Stalking can involve a range of behaviours, including:
- Repeated or unwanted calls, messages, emails or online contact
- Someone showing up at your home, workplace or places you regularly visit
- Being followed or having your movements monitored or tracked
- Someone contacting your friends, family or workplace to get information about you
- Online harassment, including posting or sharing information about you
- Leaving or sending letters, notes, ‘gifts’ or other unwanted material
- Threats or behaviour that makes you feel unsafe or afraid
A person may use technology to stalk, harass or monitor your whereabouts (often called cyberstalking), including through:
- Mobile phones, computers, or tablets
- Social media platforms and messaging apps
- Cameras, GPS trackers, or other devices
Even if you’re not sure whether what you’re experiencing is stalking, you can still seek support and talk through your options.
Stalking and monitoring behaviours are often used to scare or control someone. In Victoria, stalking is a crime, and in some situations it can be family violence. Like many forms of domestic and family violence, stalking is about power and control. This behaviour is never your fault, and you have the right to safety and privacy.
What to do if you’re being stalked
Stalking can be distressing and emotionally draining. It may also disrupt your work, study or personal life, and can pose a risk to your physical safety.
If you’re experiencing stalking, there are steps you can take to support your safety. Support can help you manage the situation and its impact on your life.
- Trust your instincts: If something feels wrong, trust that feeling.
- Tell someone you trust: Sharing what’s happening with a friend, family member or support service can help you feel supported.
- Keep records: Keep records of messages, calls, sightings, or suspicious activity that can be used as evidence.
- Increase your safety: Change passwords, adjust privacy settings, and check devices for tracking apps.
- Seek support early: Support services can help you with safety planning and understanding your options.
- Know your legal options: An Intervention Order (IVO) can restrict someone from contacting or approaching you2. For more information, refer to the Victoria Legal Aid’s Personal Safety Intervention Orders.
- Consider your reporting options: You can contact police if you feel unsafe or want to report the behaviour.
For more information, you can download WIRE’s Stalking Information Booklet.
You are not alone
You are not alone and not to blame. Talking to a counsellor or calling an anonymous service like WIRE can help you understand your options in a safe and confidential environment.
Getting Support
Our trained support workers can talk through what’s happening and help you understand your options, at your own pace.
You can call WIRE on 1300 134 130, start a web chat, or book an appointment.
Emergency Support
| Emergency Services | Call 000 if you or someone is in immediate danger |
Legal Support
WIRE recognises that women and gender diverse people can face barriers to accessing legal support and can help connect you with trusted services that understand family violence.
| Nicholes Law | Website: https://nicholeslaw.com.au/ Phone: 03 9670 4122 |
| Victoria Legal Aid | Website: https://www.legalaid.vic.gov.au/ Phone: 1300 792 387 |
Family & Violence Support
| WIRE | Website: https://www.wire.org.au/ Phone: 1300 134 130 |
| The Orange Door (Family violence & child support) | Website: https://www.orangedoor.vic.gov.au/ |
| Family Relationship Advice Line (Help with relationships & separation) | Website: https://www.familyrelationships.gov.au/talk-someone/advice-line Phone: 1800 050 321 |
| 1800RESPECT (24/7 family violence counselling) | Website: https://1800respect.org.au/ Phone: 1800 737 732 |
| SafeSteps Family Violence Response Centre (Vic) | Website: https://safesteps.org.au/our-services/ Phone: 1800 015 188 |
| Raising Children Network (Parenting strategies, behaviour tips, and relationship resources) | Website: https://raisingchildren.net.au/ |
| The Line (Resources for young people and parents around respectful relationships and changing harmful behaviour) | Website: https://www.theline.org.au/ |
| Kids Helpline | Website: https://kidshelpline.com.au/ Phone: 1800 55 1800 |
| Victorian Sexual Assault Crisis Line | Phone: 1800 806 292 (after hours) / 03 8345 3494 (police/emergency) |
| CASA (Centre Against Sexual Assault) | Website: https://www.casahouse.com.au/contact-us Phone: 1800 806 292 |
| Victims of Crime Helpline (Vic) | Phone: 1800 819 817 |
Online Support
| eSafety Commissioner (Help with cyberstalking, image-based abuse, and online safety) | Website: esafety.gov.au |
| Wesnet (Provides free smartphone and tech safety training to women experiencing violence) | Website: https://wesnet.org.au/ Phone: 1800 937 638 |
Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Support
| Yarning Safe’N’Strong Helpline (24/7 cultural wellbeing support) | Website: https://www.vahs.org.au/yarning-safenstrong/ Phone: 1800 959 563 (24/7) |
| 13YARN (Crisis support for mob) | Website: https://www.13yarn.org.au/ Phone: 13 92 76 (24/7) |
| Djirra (Support for Aboriginal women) | Website: https://djirra.org.au/ Phone: 1800 105 303 |
LGBTQIA+ Support
| QLife (LGBTQIA+ peer counselling) | Website: https://qlife.org.au/ Phone: 1800 184 527 |
Mental Health Support
| Australian Psychological Society (Find a registered psychologist) | Website: https://psychology.org.au/ Phone: 03 8662 3300 |
| Lifeline (24/7 crisis counselling) | Website: https://www.lifeline.org.au/ Phone: 13 11 14 (24/7) |
| Beyond Blue (Support for anxiety & depression) | Website: https://www.beyondblue.org.au/ Phone: 1300 22 4636 |
| Better Place Australia (Counselling & family support) | Website: https://www.betterplaceaustralia.com.au/ Phone: 1800 639 523 |
Multicultural & Migration Support
| InTouch (Multicultural Centre Against Family Violence) | Website: https://intouch.org.au/ Phone: 1800 755 988 |
| My Blue Sky (Forced Marriage & Migration Exploitation) | Website: https://mybluesky.org.au/ Phone: 02 9514 8115 |
| Immigration Advice & Rights Centre | Website: https://iarc.org.au/ Phone: 02 8234 0700 |
| Australian Red Cross (Support for Trafficked People Program) | Website: https://www.redcross.org.au/migration/support-for-people-impacted-by-modern-slavery/ Phone: 03 9345 1800 |
| Australian Muslim Women’s Centre for Human Rights | Website: https://amwchr.org.au/ Phone: 03 9481 3000 |
Financial Support
| Financial Independence Hub | Website: https://goodshep.org.au/services/fih/ Phone: 1300 050 150 |
| National Debt Helpline | Website: https://ndh.org.au/ Phone: 1800 007 007 |
| Centrelink Financial Information Service Officers | Website: https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/financial-information-service-officers?context=21836 Phone: 132 300 |
Elder Support
| National Elder Abuse Helpline | Phone: 1800 353 374 |