What Is The Suzy Lamplugh Trust?

The Suzy Lamplugh Trust, established in 1986, is a UK-based personal safety charity and a leading authority on stalking. The organisation has a long history of working within the Violence Against Women and Girls sector and particularly deals with harassment and stalking. It aims to empower people to take the steps needed to avoid, mitigate or manage risks in all areas of their lives.

Who Was Suzy Lamplugh?

Suzy Lamplugh was a 25-year-old estate agent who disappeared during the course of her workday in broad daylight on a Monday in July 1986. The disappearance occurred while Suzy was showing a client around a property in Fulham. Suzy never returned to the office and was never found. After seven years, Suzy was eventually declared dead in 1993; there is evidence to suggest that she may have been targeted by a stalker.

How Many People Has the Suzy Lamplugh Trust Helped?

In 2010, the Suzy Lamplugh Trust established The National Stalking Helpline and, since this time, has helped more than 65,000 victims. The helpline is the only service of its kind in the world.

How Is Stalking Defined?

According to the definition provided by the Suzy Lamplugh Trust, stalking is a pattern of obsessive and fixated behaviour that is persistent, repeated, intrusive and causes fear of violence or engenders distress and alarm in the victim.

What Type of Person Commits Stalking?

In the majority of cases, a stalker is known by their victim. About a third of the people who contact the National Stalking Helpline report that they have had a prior acquaintance with their stalker, while around 45% are experiencing stalking from someone they have formerly had an intimate relationship with, such as an ex-partner.

How Long Does Stalking Typically Last?

A report into stalking by Dr Lorraine Sheridan found that the average length of time stalking can last for is between six months and two years; however, the report also discovered that staking could last from one month to 43 years. The emotional investment the stalker has in the relationship increases in line with the duration of the stalking behaviour, which is one of the reasons why ex-intimate stalking is typically considered the most dangerous.

Can Non-Violent Stalking Cause Harm?

Even where stalking doesn’t involve violence, victims can be hugely affected through the severe psychological stress it causes. Anxiety, depression, paranoia, sleep disturbance and post-traumatic stress disorder are common side effects of the experience.