Stalkers, Stacey Dooley ’s latest documentary, was truly terrifying.
One in five women and one in ten men are victims of stalking in their lifetimes and it’s an ordeal that can fundamentally change people for ever.
Stacey brought her attentive and relaxed interview style to this eye-opening BBC1 film, speaking to several women who have fallen victim to this extremely scary and abusive crime.
As she spent a few months with Cheshire Police – one of only a few UK forces to have a specialist stalking unit – Stacey was clearly horrified, especially on learning that these behaviours are red flags for murderers.
This first film was all about ex-partner stalking, the most common type, with next Wednesday’s episode (already up on iPlayer) focusing on stranger stalking.
Sabrina, a 25-year-old recruitment consultant and single mum, didn’t know who was stalking her at first.
She received threatening messages for years saying she should die and that her daughter would be better off without her. The person knew which school her daughter went to and knew which places she had visited.
Eventually CCTV footage revealed it was her ex, who she had once lived with, and her whole world collapsed.
Now every time Sabrina’s phone vibrates, she panics. She checks out of her window every night before bed and has cameras surrounding her home.
“I’m always looking over my shoulder,” she said. “I don’t sleep very well. Is it actually ever going to end?”
In a chilling update, we found out that her ex was arrested, charged and even pleaded guilty, but then applied for a job where she works.
“You’re never truly free,” said Stacey.
Katie’s ordeal began after she dated a personal trainer at her gym for just five months.
When the 29-year-old ended the relationship, he sent threats and made false allegations to the police that she was harassing him.
“I had no clue what he was capable of – I was petrified,” said Katie, whose family, including elderly grandparents, were also intimidated by him.
Other cases were similar and just as distressing.
Stacey also interviewed a stalker fresh out of prison, with the knowledge that half of convicted stalkers re-offend. Andy had stalked his ex and childhood sweetheart for a year and threatened to take his own life if she didn’t take him back.
“I wanted to make her feel guilty,” he said, adding: “I regret that I hurt her.”
In the end, we found out that some of these men had been found guilty of stalking and faced prison or a restraining order.
But for the victims, they remain broken, untrusting and scared for the future.
It’s an obsession that can devastate lives.
