The English term "stalking" originates from hunting terminology and literally translates to something like "to sneak up on" or "to stalk." It refers to the persistent harassment or threatenment of another person, for example through repeated phone calls, letters and emails, or through following and lying in wait, up to and including physical violence.
Anyone can become a victim! Criminal psychological interventions can help victims cope with the stalkingcrisis. Victim support organizations also offer assistance.
Stalking officer of the Bremen police
To better identify cases of stalking and to ensure they are recognized as early as possible, ideally at the first contact between the victim and the police, the Bremen police have developed guidelines for officers. This includes a brochure with advice for stalking victims, which is distributed to victims when needed.
Police stations have trained special "stalking officers" to provide more intensive support to victims in the future. These measures are also intended to encourage victims to seek police help more frequently.
How can you protect yourself?
- Make it unequivocally clear to the stalker just once that you want no contact with him now or in the future. (For ease of reading, the masculine form is used.)
- Then ignore him completely. Any reaction from you, no matter what kind, will only give him hope and make him try harder to win you over.
- File a criminal complaint with the police.
- Apply for a restraining order at the local court, civil division. If the stalker disregards the court order, you have a legal recourse and the police can intervene.
Be absolutely consistent in pursuing this legal course!
Inform your family, friends, colleagues, and neighbors.
Public awareness can protect you. - In the event of a concrete threat from the stalker, alert the police, neighbors and/or passers-by so that you can get help and have witnesses!
- If the stalker follows you in his car, drive directly to the nearest police station.
- Document everything the stalker sends, tells you, or does. Keep these documents safe. They can serve as evidence in court. Your police can advise you on how to properly secure evidence.
- In cases of telephone harassment, have your telephone company install a call trace to document the harassing calls. Get an answering machine with call monitoring and recording capabilities. Consider getting a second landline or using a mobile phone to ensure you remain reachable. The police crime prevention center can explain further technical options to you.
- If you have a mobile phone, dial the emergency number 110. This emergency call is free.
- Do not accept any packages or goods that you have not ordered or are not expecting. Inform your neighbors of this as well.
The common goal must be to make the stalker lose interest in you, and to take legal action and compensation for damages.
Stalking Kit
New: Stalking Kit, Stalking Crisis Intervention Team
To offer timely, separate, and individual crisis counseling to victims and suspects, TAO Bremen, in close cooperation with the police and public prosecutor's office, has established the Stalking Crisis(KIT) . Rapid psychosocial support, relieving counseling, and referrals to further services are the primary goals for those involved in stalking conflicts. Victims are to be protected, and suspects, if necessary, their actions are to be limited. Meetings of the parties involved in the conflict for joint counseling are generally not permitted in stalking cases.
www.toa-bremen.de (Victim Protection)
Victim emergency hotline
Bremen Police
0800 2800 110
Contact person
