People
Personal Security - Harassment

 

Examples of stalking range from making unsolicited telephone calls, sending letters, parcels and e-mails, to following victims and waiting outside work premises or home address etc.

 

Legislation has been in existence since 1997 in the form of the Prevention from Harassment Act, to help deal with stalking issues. There are a number of other options which may be invoked to deal with stalking, details of which may be obtained by contacting your local BBC Safety Advisor.

 

If you become the subject of unwarranted attention and unwelcome intrusion into your private life this must be reported to your employer, agent, or the police if appropriate at the earliest opportunity.

 

All physical evidence must be retained in order to substantiate the instigation of appropriate legal restraining procedures at an early stage.

 

If your work results in a high public profile you must ensure that any instance of pestering or stalking is reported in full to the BBC Investigation Service from the beginning, and on every subsequent occasion.

 

Failure to act early will severely disadvantage you should the actions continue to a more intense stage.

 

Co-operative action between the subject/victim and the BBC is to the advantage of both, if the cause of the unwelcome attention is due in any way to the nature of the victim's work.

 

The actions of individuals who indulge in stalking and similar practices are extremely difficult to anticipate. They also often have a strong belief in the justification for what they are doing. This 'justification' is often beyond the comprehension of others and the most innocent of events can sometimes trigger unpredictable and violent behaviour.

 

It is strongly recommended that, in the first instance, you refer any such incident to the BBC Investigation Service on 020 8752 4168, which will be able to offer you practical advice and, if appropriate and desired, will involve the police. Whether the police are to be involved or not is a matter that can be negotiated with those involved, but in any case the service is discreet and effective.

 

See the Personal Security Harassment checklist.