Stalking and surveys:
Stalking, Misuse of Power & Silencing Victims: A Personal Reflection
As a victim of stalking—serious enough to involve the police—this issue is painfully close to my heart.
I've ticked all the listed options as potential indicators of stalking. Because if someone knows their communication, gifts, observation, spreading false information, or showing up in person is unwanted and unwarranted, and they do it anyway—that is stalking. Full stop.
But there’s something else I need to highlight: the misuse of police powers.
As I stated on the official survey and the Police and Crime Commissioner for Cleveland’s Facebook page:
> "I would like to add: reactions to behaviour—even when repetitive—can’t be labelled as stalking or mistreatment when they’re not the original problem. You need to target the antagonists, not those trying to cope.
(Speaking from personal experience here, as a blogger who’s been threatened—including, but not limited to, arrest—for stating facts about my own reality and mistreatment.)
Intent matters. If someone’s intent is to seek resolution or an apology, framing that as the issue is a blatant misuse of police power—used to silence the victim and dismiss their legitimate reaction to abuse."
Safeguarding matters. But so does clarity—because when we mislabel stalking or enable the weaponisation of safeguarding policies, we allow abusers to twist the narrative.
Victims deserve protection, not prosecution. Especially not for simply surviving out loud.
Sarah Wingfield 🌹
