One in seven people aged 16 years and over in England and Wales have been victims of stalking, according to figures reported by Wales Online. The latest available data indicates that around 14.4% of individuals aged 16 and over have likely experienced stalking at some point in their lives, based on information collected by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) during the year leading up to March 2024.
Specific statistics reveal that about 5.2% of people have been stalked by a partner or ex-partner, while approximately 2.2% have experienced stalking by a family member. In the most recent survey, 3.2% of individuals aged 16 and over reported experiencing stalking in the past 12 months, a slight decrease from the previous year.
Although the long-term trend of stalking cases has remained relatively consistent over the past decade among individuals aged 16 to 59, the number of police-recorded stalking offences has significantly increased, possibly due to improved reporting practices and victims feeling more comfortable coming forward.
The data also shows that women are more likely to be victims of stalking than men, with 20.2% of women experiencing stalking compared to 8.7% of men since the age of 16. Additionally, younger age groups are more vulnerable, with 8.8% of 16-19 year-olds reporting stalking incidents in the past year.
Moreover, people identifying as black are disproportionately affected by stalking, with 4.6% of black individuals aged 16 and over experiencing stalking in the year leading up to March 2024. This rate is higher than those reported for white, Asian, and mixed ethnic groups.
These statistics highlight the prevalence of stalking in England and Wales and underscore the need for continued awareness, support, and prevention efforts to address this concerning issue among the population.