When Professional Boundaries Are Breached: Understanding Stalking in the Workplace

Stalking is more than unwanted attention, it is a deliberate and persistent intrusion into

someone’s life. When a person’s space, privacy, and safety are repeatedly violated, the impact can cause significant fear, anxiety, and disruption to their personal and work life. For many professionals across fields such as healthcare and social services, this is a distressing reality they face with patients, clients, and members of the public on a regular basis.

Doctors, nurses, social workers, psychologists, lawyers, criminal justice professionals and university faculty frequently become targets of individuals they serve and care for, facing a range of unwanted and intrusive behaviours that can disrupt their lives both personally and professionally.

Over the past three decades, extensive research has consistently indicated that professionals

who closely engage with clients, students, or the public are at heightened risk for stalking

behaviours. Stalkers might persistently contact their victims through various means, including

phone calls, emails, text messages, or social media platforms, creating an atmosphere of fear and anxiety.

They may follow victims in public places, appear uninvited at workplaces or homes, or attempt to damage professional reputations through malicious complaints or unfounded rumours. While the specific behaviours exhibited by stalkers can vary widely, the effects on the victims are consistently severe and profound: feelings of fear, heightened anxiety, disrupted daily routines, and in some cases, the overwhelming need to leave a job or even abandon a chosen profession altogether.

The Impact on Professionals

Stalking is far more than a minor inconvenience; it can significantly affect the mental health and overall well-being of professionals. Studies have shown that victims of stalking experience a range of debilitating symptoms, including increased anxiety, panic attacks,

insomnia, chronic headaches, and even heightened alcohol or substance use as a coping mechanism. This pervasive stress often impacts professional performance, leading to decreased productivity and strained personal relationships, which only adds to the emotional burden that victims must navigate daily.

Moreover, physical threats are alarmingly common among stalking victims. Research

indicates that approximately one in three victims face some form of physical assault,

with death threats occurring in a notable minority of instances. Although the prevalence of sexual assault varies across different studies, the potential for serious harm is evident and cannot be ignored. These distressing patterns are generally consistent across various professions, whether in healthcare, law, education, or justice systems, highlighting the urgent need for awareness and action.

Organisational Responses Matter

Despite its prevalence and profound impact, organisational responses to stalking are often

inconsistent and can miss the mark. When supervisors take stalking seriously, provide regular

check-ins, and assist with safety planning, victims feel supported and less isolated in their

experiences. Conversely, when concerns about stalking are dismissed, minimised, or unjustly

blamed on the victim, the emotional toll increases, leaving individuals feeling vulnerable and

unsupported.

Unfortunately, few organisations have formal stalking policies in place to address this issue

adequately. Even in workplaces that hold strong harassment or violence protocols, stalking

can often go unnoticed and unaddressed. This lack of clear guidelines leave victims unsure of who to approach for help, allowing the risks associated with stalking to continue unrelenting and unchallenged.

Practical Steps for Professionals and Employers

Awareness is the first crucial step in combating stalking. Professionals must be able to

recognise stalking behaviours and feel empowered to report them without fear of dismissal or ridicule. Colleagues and managers should be trained to respond appropriately, listen

without judgment, and take practical steps to ensure the safety and well-being of those affected.

Organisations can take meaningful action to support their staff by:

• Developing clear stalking policies that outline reporting pathways, managerial

• responsibilities, and the steps to be taken when an incident occurs.

• Maintaining confidentiality and safeguarding personal information of victims to protect their privacy and security.

• Providing guidance on workplace safety, including environmental adjustments if needed, to create a safer physical space for employees.

• Connecting victims with psychological support and legal resources, ensuring they have access to the help they need to cope with their experiences.

Even simple measures, such as formal check-ins with affected staff, can make a significant

difference in how supported individuals feel. Promoting knowledge about stalking through

professional associations or targeted resources further strengthens organisational culture and ensures staff are aware that help is available and that they are not alone in their struggles.

Moving Forward

Stalking in professional settings is a form of workplace violence that requires attention comparable to that given to other threats. Research highlights its prevalence and impact, yet guidance on effective organisational responses remains limited. For professionals,

recognition, support, and actionable workplace policies are essential to mitigate the effects of stalking. For organisations, actively listening, taking threats seriously, and establishing

structured responses can prevent harm and foster a safer, more resilient workforce.

Ultimately, stalking is not just a personal issue, it is a pressing professional concern that

challenges workplaces to protect both their employees and the communities they serve. By

addressing this issue head-on, organisations can create an environment where professionals

feel safe, valued, and empowered to carry out their important work without the shadow of

fear looming over them.