Harassment - help and support

Harassment could affect anyone at any age in any environment.  Harassment tends to disturb, upset or threaten others and is usually in the form of repetitive targeting of an individual over a period of time. 

Harassment can occur in a variety of forms including, but not exclusive to:

  • Bullying - bullying could also relate to other types of harassment. Bullying could occur to people at a playground, at school or at work and can involve one or more bullies targeting a person or group of individuals.
  • Psychological - psychological harassment could be in the form of threatening, humiliating or abusive behaviour. This could be through caused by verbal abuse or physical intimidation.
  • Racial - racial harassment could relate to any form of harassment which has been undertaken due to a persons ethnicity. 
  • Financial - the financial abuse of someone can relate to a variety of issues, such as school-ground bullying (seeking lunch- or pocket- money) to financial abuse of a vulnerable person.  Harassment can be from strangers, or people you may not suspect, such as family members.
  • Religious - targeting or harassment of someone due to their religious beliefs.
  • Sexual - targeting or harassment of someone that make the victim feel uncomfortable.  This could be through the use of symbolism, verbal, gestures or behaviours of a sexual nature.  Both men and women could be a victim of sexual harassment.  Sexual harassment could also be in relation to harassing someone about their sexual orientation or gender.
  • Stalking - stalking relates to the unrequested following and/or surveillance of someone.  The stalking may be undertaken by an individual or group of people.
  • Cyber-stalking - harassment of an individual or groups of people using electronic communication tools, such as email, instant messaging, online chat rooms or forums.

Cyber-bullying

Cyber-bullying can affect anyone at any age through technology-based platforms, such as the internet, social networks, mobile technologies, on-line games and instant messaging platforms.  The following information is specifically targeted for parents and carers looking after children or young people and introduces:

  • frequently used mobile technology - what it is and what it can do
  • the potential risk of cyber-bullying
  • practical advice to stay safe on-line
  • what to do if a child is being cyber-bullied or is cyber-bullying others

For further information, visit Respect me, Scotland's anti-bullying service

Download Respect me's Cyber-bullying brochure

Who to contact

Stirling Council have various services who can provide support and assistance to people who are being harassed.

The Child Protection team offer support for children who have been abused or are at risk of being abused. If anyone is concerned about a child's safety, please call us on 0845 277 7000.  The safety of our children is everyone's responsibility.

We are committed to providing a safe, supportive environment for all people in our educational establishments.   For further information about bullying or harassment within a school environment, please check out our page on school bullying and harassment policy.

The Adult Support and Protection team offer support for people over the age of 16 who have been harmed or are suffering from neglect.  If you are being harmed or know of someone who is being harmed or suffering from neglect, please call us on 0845 277 7000.