As a service, we understand the importance of keeping an incident journal, not only to gather evidence about one’s victimisation but as a way for victims to categorise the behaviours they are experiencing and to see the pattern of conduct forming.
Many victims minimise and justify their stalker’s actions and even feel like they are ‘going crazy’, however, when incidents are documented, a picture begins to appear around the types of abuse and invasion that have taken place.
When you're dealing with a stalker, keeping an incident journal is a powerful tool. Documenting every incident helps build a case, recognise patterns, and strengthen your sense of control. It's more than just writing; it’s your record of the stalking behaviours
What Should My Incident Journal Include?
Incident journals resemble a diary so can be noted down in a notebook, or diary or there are handy online apps such as 'The FollowIt' App and ‘The Holly Guard’ App that help create a digital diary.
It is vital to log every incident and include the date, time, location, a detailed account of the incident, any identifying information (i.e. car registrations, stalkers’ appearance etc), if there are any witnesses, the action taken (i.e. I changed my contact number) and how the incident made you feel. This information is important to showcase the emotional impact of these actions on your physical and mental well-being.
You can also add materials such as text messages, gifts sent, voicemails, photographs, videos, etc.
It is also important that if you report to the police, you record the incident number given and keep a record of this in your incident journal. This helps if you contact the police in the future as you can share the incident number which showcases that this is not a one-off incident but a pattern of behaviour.
Victim Impact Box
Action Against Stalking’s founder Dr Ann Moulds CBE, along with partner agencies, created the Victim Impact Box (VIB) which includes three handy booklets which focus on understanding stalking, discussing the legislation, safety planning and a template of an incident journal.
If you want to learn more about the VIB then we are hosting a half-day online CPD event on the 16th of January 2025 which you can sign up for here - https://www.actionagainststalking.org/event-details/cpd-stalking-awareness-training
You can also buy copies of the VIB by contacting enquiries@actionagainststalking.org
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