Emergency guide

Someone is harassing or stalking me

If someone is stalking or harassing you, or has shared private pictures of you, you may be deciding whether to tell the police, how to keep proof, and how to protect your phone, your accounts and your routine. This page lists what to do today, the time limits that may matter, who to call and words you can use.

General information, not legal advice. Rules depend on where you live. If you have a letter, notice or form with a date on it, get advice before that date passes.

Checked 7 October 2026 · re-check due 11 January 2027 · To keep a copy, use your browser’s print or share menu.

First: are you safe?

If the person is near you now, or has threatened to hurt you, call 911 in the US or 999 in the UK, say where you are and say you are being stalked. If this has you thinking about ending your life, call or text 988 in the US, or call Samaritans on 116 123 in the UK, at any hour. If the person is a current or former partner and you are afraid of them, talk to a domestic abuse helpline before you change anything, because a change can anger them. In the US, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline on 1-800-799-7233, or text START to 88788. In the UK, call the National Domestic Abuse Helpline on 0808 2000 247 (England), at any hour, or your nation's helpline under Who to call. If they may be watching your phone or computer, use one they cannot get at, such as a friend's phone or a library computer.

Today

If they are near you now, or you fear for your safety, call 911 in the US or 999 in the UK, and say you are being stalked.
If you are being followed, go to a place with other people, such as a police station or a shop with staff and cameras.
UK: if you call 999 from a mobile and cannot speak, listen to the operator, cough or tap the phone if you can, and press 55 if a recorded message asks you to. Staying silent without pressing 55 ends the call.
If they might see your phone or computer, ask for help on one they cannot get at, such as a friend's phone or a library computer. What you do on a watched device can be seen by them.
If you are under 18: tell an adult you trust, such as a parent or a teacher. In the UK you can also call Childline on 0800 1111 at any hour. In the US, if a picture of you is involved and there is no adult you can tell, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children takes calls at any hour on 1-800-843-5678. The steps marked 'under 18' below say how to get a picture of you taken down.
If you are under 18 and someone online threatens to share pictures of you unless you pay, send more or do what they say, tell the police at once (911 in the US or 999 in the UK if you are in danger now). It is not your fault: the blackmailer is the one committing a crime.
Get help before you pay or send anything: the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (US) says paying or doing what they say rarely stops the blackmail. Do not delete your messages or your account: they can help stop the blackmailer.
Before a big change, such as ending contact, moving or changing your number, talk to an advocate (a trained helper: see Who to call) and make a safety plan. US stalking guidance says the most dangerous time can be when you pull away from the stalker.
Do not reply, argue or threaten back. Police and stalking charities say any answer, even an angry one, can feed it. The Metropolitan Police (London) advise against even asking them to stop. A US hotline says you may ask once, if you feel safe, then stay silent.
Report it to the police early, even if you have little proof: the Metropolitan Police say you do not need to collect evidence first. UK: call 101 or report online. US: contact your local police.
When you report, describe every incident you can, even small ones: ordinary-looking acts can show a pattern. A log helps: see the step about starting one.
Ask for a crime reference number (UK) or a report number (US) and the officer's name. Write down who you speak to and when.
If you already have a court order against them, keep a copy with you, and show it to the police if they break it.
If anything they sent or posted is a sexual picture or video of someone under 18, including you: do not screenshot, save, download or forward it, even as proof. Write down where it is, such as the link and the account name, and tell the police.
Making or passing on a copy of a sexual picture of someone under 18 can be a crime, even when the picture is of you and you only want it as proof. Writing down where it is, and reporting it, keeps the proof without a copy. If the picture is of you, it is not your fault: Childline says the police are there to protect you, not to get you into trouble.
Keep everything they send or leave: messages, voicemails, emails, letters, gifts. Do not delete anything, even if it upsets you. If seeing their emails upsets you, move them into their own folder.
Start a log. For each incident write the date, time, place, what happened, who saw it, what the person looked like or drove, and how it made you feel. Keep the log where they cannot get at it.
If you cannot avoid contact, for example at work, or you choose to keep some, keep your replies short and calm, show no emotion, and keep a copy. Some victims cannot stop all contact. Talk to an advocate about how to do it safely.
Blocking is a choice with a cost. UK police guidance warns it can push a stalker to escalate, even to more dangerous or violent behaviour, or to find other ways to reach you, most of all when it is someone you know or an ex. A US hotline lists it as a step but warns it can provoke them.
If you do block them, save everything they have sent first.
Instead of blocking, UK police suggest locking down your accounts (making them private: see the step below).
Do not agree to meet them, even once, even if they promise to stop afterwards. A US hotline says that kind of promise is likely an attempt to put you in a vulnerable position.
If they have shared, or threaten to share, private pictures of you, you do not need to send the pictures to anyone to get them removed. A removal request needs only the link, or where to find them.
If you were 18 or older in the pictures, StopNCII.org is a free tool that works from your own device. US: see the clock 'send the platform a removal request' below, and the script for the platform under Say it this way.
US, if you were under 18 in the pictures: report it to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children on 1-800-843-5678, at any hour, and use its free Take It Down tool at takeitdown.ncmec.org, which never needs you to send the picture. Tell the police too. A parent or carer can also send the platform a removal request: see the clock 'send the platform a removal request' below.
UK, if you are under 18 and there is a sexual picture or video of you online: use Childline's Report Remove (see the Childline card) to get it taken down, and tell the police. Report Remove is only for people under 18.
UK, if you are 18 or over now and the picture was taken before you were 18: tell the police.
Handle letters, notes and gifts as little as you can, and put them in a bag: the police may need them for fingerprint tests.
Keep the original of any email, not a forwarded copy: a forward loses details that can help identify the sender. Also save the email header, which you can find in the email's settings.
Take screenshots of messages, posts and the sender's number, but never of a sexual picture of anyone under 18. Some apps tell the other person when you take one: if that is a risk, photograph the screen with a second device. Store the pictures where they cannot reach.
Save voicemails. UK police and Northern Ireland's government say to record unwanted calls if you can. US: your state decides whether you may record a call without telling the other person, so ask a victim advocate first.
Photograph any damage to your things or home, and any injury, with the date, and tell the police: damage and attacks can be crimes of their own.
If it is happening online, report the account or posts to the site or app, after you have saved them. If the site will not act, the Suzy Lamplugh Trust advises contacting the company that hosts the website (the company whose computers the site runs on).
US: The Cyber Helpline, under the UK doors below, also helps people in the US with online harassment, free, from age 13.
Answer unknown calls with 'hello', not your name or number, and do not answer questions about yourself, however honest the caller sounds. Do not put your name, number or that you are away in your voicemail message.
Ask your phone company whether it can act on unwanted calls.
Tell one or two people you trust what is happening. Ask them not to answer the person or tell them where you are, and to write down anything they see. Stalkers can ask friends, family or colleagues for information, and some people are tricked into giving it.
Do not post where you are or where you are going, and avoid discussing them online or with anyone who might pass it on. Turn off location tags on photos, and ask friends not to tag you or check you in.
Make your social media accounts private, and turn off location sharing in your apps and camera. You do not have to leave social media or change your number: police guidance in the UK advises locking down your accounts instead.
If they may have been reading your accounts, changing a password can show them you know. If that could put you at risk, plan it with an advocate first.
Otherwise, change your passwords, starting with your email, on a device they cannot get at. Use a different password for each account, and turn on two-step sign-in where you can.
Check whether they could be tracking you: shared location, a tracker in a bag or car, or spyware on your phone. Before you remove anything, note what you find and ask an advocate: removing it can alert them and erase evidence.
If you find a tracker that is not yours, photograph it where you found it, if it is safe, and tell the police.
If the person is an emergency contact on your phone, watch or fitness device, remove them: those contacts can be sent your location.
Vary your routes and times where you can, and know the nearest safe place, such as a police station or a shop open late with staff and cameras. Lock your doors and windows when you leave and when you sleep.
Carry a personal alarm if you can get one, and tell a friend when you go out and when you are back.
Agree a code word with a friend that means you need help, and what they should do when you send it.
If they contact you or come to your workplace, tell your manager or security, if you feel comfortable, and ask colleagues to screen your calls and not to give out information about you.
US: if the harassment at work is because of your race, color, religion, sex (including sexual orientation, transgender status or pregnancy), national origin, older age, disability or genetic information, there is a time limit to file with the EEOC (the federal agency for discrimination at work): see the EEOC card under the clocks. Its title says 'fired', but the time is the same for harassment.
UK: if the harassment at work is because of your age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation, or is sexual harassment, there is a time limit to tell Acas before a tribunal claim: see the Acas card under the clocks. In Northern Ireland the Labour Relations Agency takes the place of Acas.
England, Wales and Northern Ireland: ask the police about a stalking protection order (a court order the police can ask for, to try to stop stalking behaviour early). Only the police apply for it.
Scotland: a solicitor can explain a non-harassment order (a court order to stop the harassment) or an interdict (a court order telling them not to do something), which you start yourself. Legal aid may help with the cost: see the Scottish Legal Aid Board card.
US: ask a victim advocate which court orders your state has and how to ask for one.
England and Wales: you can also ask a civil court for an injunction (an order to stay away), even if you have not reported it to the police, or the CPS (the Crown Prosecution Service, which decides on criminal charges) decided not to prosecute. Get legal advice first.
England and Wales: if the person is or was your partner, is a family member, or lives or lived with you, a non-molestation order (a court order to protect you from them) may fit better. There is no fee to apply, and a domestic abuse helpline can help.
Northern Ireland: the same kind of order, a non-molestation order, has no court fee, though you may pay to have the papers served (officially delivered to them). A domestic abuse helpline can help.
UK: if the police or prosecutors decide not to take it further, ask for the reasons, and ask for a review. Each nation has its own route and its own time: see the review cards below.
US: ask your state's crime victim compensation program what it covers, such as counseling or lost wages. Your state decides what counts and how long you have to apply.
If you can, stay in touch with friends and family, so you are not alone with this. If there is no one, the helplines under Who to call are there to talk to.
None of this is your fault, and you do not owe them an answer or an explanation. If it gets too much, call or text 988 in the US, or call Samaritans on 116 123 in the UK, at any hour.

The clocks that have started

Deadlines that can start when this happens, soonest first. Your own letters give your dates; when two dates could apply, count from the earlier one. The details of each are on the page online; its address is at the bottom.

Deadlines that can start when this happens, soonest first. Tap one to see when it starts and what happens if you miss it. Your own letters give your dates; when two dates could apply, count from the earlier one.

Jump to: United States · United Kingdom

In the United States

If someone posts or shares intimate pictures of you, send the platform a removal requestSend the request as soon as you find the picture or video.United States (federal rule)
How long
Send the request as soon as you find the picture or video. A covered platform must remove it, and known identical copies, within 48 hours of your request. This covers real pictures, edited ones and deepfakes (fakes made with software or artificial intelligence)
Starts
when the platform receives your removal request, made through its own removal process. The law has applied since May 19, 2026. A platform it covers must offer a way to ask, including for people with no account on that platform. The request must be in writing and include where the picture is, that you believe in good faith it was shared without consent, how to contact you, and your signature (an electronic one counts)
If missed
only the platform can remove the picture, so keep asking and report the platform to the FTC. Also report the person who shared it: to your local police, and to the FBI at tips.fbi.gov or on 1-800-CALL-FBI. StopNCII.org, a free tool, can help stop copies being posted on the platforms that take part
It lets you
get intimate photos or videos that were shared without your consent taken down. If the platform does not remove it within 48 hours, or has no removal process, or its process is broken, report the platform to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at TakeItDown.ftc.gov
Where this differs: It covers 'covered platforms': websites, apps and online services such as social media, messaging, image or video sharing, and gaming. The FTC enforces the law against platforms; it cannot remove the picture for you. If you were under 18 in the picture, StopNCII.org is not the tool: the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children runs Take It Down for that
Checked 11 October 2026 at Federal Trade Commission (FTC), consumer alert on the TAKE IT DOWN Act
Ask your state's crime victim program what it will pay for and how long you have to applyAsk the program early: your state decides who is eligible, what it pays and how long you have to apply.United States (set by each state)
How long
Ask the program early: your state decides who is eligible, what it pays and how long you have to apply. A local victim advocate, or VictimConnect on 855-484-2846, can help you find it
Starts
your state decides. Each state, territory and Washington, D.C. runs its own victim compensation program, so ask the program for the state where the crime happened
If missed
your state may refuse a late application. Ask the program what it needs from you first, such as a police report, because your state sets that too
It lets you
ask to be repaid for costs the crime caused, such as medical costs, mental health counseling and lost wages. Whether stalking counts, and what it pays, depends on your state
Where this differs: Your state decides who is eligible, what it covers and the time limit. We give no state number: ask the program for the state where the crime happened
Checked 11 October 2026 at Office for Victims of Crime (US Department of Justice)
File a discrimination charge with the EEOC if you think you were fired for who you are180 calendar days.United States (federal rule)
How long
180 calendar days. It is 300 days where a state or local agency enforces a similar law (for age, only a state law and agency count). Not sure? Use 180
Starts
the day of the discrimination; for a firing, count from the day you were told. Each separate act has its own clock
If missed
A late charge is usually too late, and a grievance or mediation does not pause it. If you are unsure how much time is left, call the EEOC now on 1-800-669-4000 (TTY 1-800-669-6820), or start a charge on the EEOC Public Portal
It lets you
ask the EEOC to look into it. Filing a charge is usually the step that must come before a lawsuit under the federal discrimination laws
Use this card only for harassment at work because of race, color, religion, sex (including sexual orientation, transgender status or pregnancy), national origin, older age, disability or genetic information. The EEOC calls harassment a form of employment discrimination, and its harassment page gives the same charge time. The card's title is about being fired, but the time is for harassment too. For ongoing harassment the EEOC counts from the last incident, and it looks at all the incidents, even older ones: file as soon as you can. The federal laws cover employers with 15 or more staff (20 for age). If a colleague is stalking you, also tell your employer and the police. The EEOC page encourages telling a harasser directly to stop; stalking advice differs on that, so read the step about replying first.
Where this differs: Federal employees and job applicants: contact your agency's EEO Counselor within 45 days
Checked 7 October 2026 at US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission

In the United Kingdom

Tell the police early, even about old events: for harassment and basic stalking, the court case must start within six months of the last incidentSix months from the last incident, for the two lower offences: harassment, and stalking.England and Wales
How long
Six months from the last incident, for the two lower offences: harassment, and stalking. The police and the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) have to start the case in court within that time, so report as early as you can. The more serious versions do not have this limit: harassment that puts you in fear of violence; stalking that puts you in fear of violence or causes serious alarm or distress that badly affects your day-to-day life; and harassment or stalking that is racially or religiously aggravated (it shows hostility to your race or religion)
Starts
the date of the last incident in the pattern of behaviour. A pattern (the law calls it a 'course of conduct') is two or more occasions. A new incident makes a new last date
If missed
the two lower charges can no longer be brought for events in that pattern. Do not stop reporting: a new incident moves the date, and the more serious charges, including harassment because of your race or religion, do not have this limit. A civil injunction is a different route from these two charges: Citizens Advice says you can go to civil court even if the CPS decided not to prosecute. Get legal advice first. If the events are old, ask the police or a solicitor what is still possible
It lets you
have the police investigate and the CPS bring a case in a magistrates' court. The six months is the court's limit for starting the case. It is not a time limit for telling the police, but the sooner you tell them, the more time there is to investigate
Where this differs: England and Wales only. Scotland and Northern Ireland have their own laws and time rules, and this card does not describe them: if the events are old, ask the police or a solicitor
Checked 11 October 2026 at Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), Stalking or harassment legal guidance
If the police or the CPS (the prosecutors) decide not to prosecute, ask for a reviewAsk within 10 working days of the date on the decision letter.England and Wales
How long
Ask within 10 working days of the date on the decision letter. That is the CPS time. The police scheme is separate, and the letter should say how and by when to ask: ask just as fast
Starts
the date on the letter that tells you the decision. The CPS scheme covers a decision not to charge, to stop all the charges, to offer no evidence on all of them, or to ask the court to leave all the charges 'on the file'. The police have their own review scheme for a decision not to prosecute, for cases where the suspect was interviewed under caution. Count from the date on the letter, whichever it came from
If missed
you can still ask: requests may be made later, though a delay may affect the outcome. After three months a request is unlikely to be accepted unless there are exceptional circumstances, for example you were not told about the review or were given the wrong dates. Say why you are late
It lets you
ask for a prosecutor who was not part of the first decision to look again. If that review keeps the decision, you can ask for an independent review: ask within 10 working days of receiving that answer. It is a right to ask for a review, not a promise that the case will go ahead. The CPS aims to finish within 30 working days. A new decision cannot restart a case that a time limit has already ended: if your letter gives a date when the case will be too late to bring, ask at once. For harassment and stalking, see the six-month card
Where this differs: England and Wales. Scotland and Northern Ireland have their own review, with their own times: see their cards. The time on this card is the CPS's; the police scheme's time is not stated here
Checked 11 October 2026 at Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), Victims' Right to Review scheme
If the procurator fiscal (COPFS) decides not to prosecute, or stops a case, ask for a reviewAsk as soon as you can, and try to get in touch within one month of learning the decision.Scotland
How long
Ask as soon as you can, and try to get in touch within one month of learning the decision. Fill in the Victims' Right to Review form and send it to RIU@copfs.gov.uk or by post to the Response and Information Unit, Crown Office
Starts
the day the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) tells you its decision: not to take action, or to stop a case that has gone to court
If missed
the later you ask, the harder it may be to take or prevent action. Sometimes a prosecution may no longer be possible because of time limits or other legal reasons. If the reviewer agrees with the first decision, you cannot ask for another review, but you can still complain about how the review was handled, within six months of being told the outcome
It lets you
ask a lawyer who was not involved in the first decision to look again. COPFS aims to tell you the review decision within 20 working days. Victim Support Scotland can help you fill in the form
Where this differs: Scotland only. England and Wales (10 working days) and Northern Ireland (one month, in writing) have their own review, with their own times. COPFS can only review its own decisions, not a court's. It cannot review a case where the judge acquitted the accused or stopped the trial for lack of evidence, or where a plea was accepted. If the police tell you they are not taking it further, ask them how to challenge that
Checked 11 October 2026 at Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS)
If the Public Prosecution Service (PPS) decides not to prosecute, ask for a review in writingAsk in writing within one month of being told the decision not to prosecute.Northern Ireland
How long
Ask in writing within one month of being told the decision not to prosecute. Post your request to the PPS, or download the form and email it to reviews@ppsni.gov.uk. The decision letter has a 7 digit PPS reference number: put it in your request
Starts
the day the Public Prosecution Service (PPS) tells you its decision not to prosecute: count from that day to be safe. The PPS says that where it gives you detailed reasons, the month runs from the day you receive the detailed reasons letter
If missed
a request outside the month is reviewed only in exceptional circumstances. For a limited range of 'summary only' offences (cases that can only be dealt with in the Magistrates' Courts), a prosecution cannot be started more than 6 months after the incident date, so there may be less time. If you are worried about the time, call the PPS Policy and Information Unit on 02890 897100
It lets you
ask the PPS to look at the decision again. A prosecutor will take a new decision, and the PPS aims to tell you the outcome within 8 weeks of your application
Where this differs: Northern Ireland only. England and Wales (10 working days) and Scotland (one month, by form) have their own review, with their own times. The PPS reviews its own decisions not to prosecute. If you are under 18, a parent or carer usually makes the request
Checked 11 October 2026 at Public Prosecution Service for Northern Ireland (PPS)
Tell Acas (the free workplace advice service) before the time limit if you may take your employer to a tribunalNot sure how long you have? Tell Acas within 3 months minus 1 day of the day the problem happened.England, Scotland and Wales
How long
Not sure how long you have? Tell Acas within 3 months minus 1 day of the day the problem happened. The limit is 6 months minus 1 day for most problems that happened from 1 October 2026, and 3 months minus 1 day for most problems before then.
Starts
the day the problem happened. For dismissal, count from your last day of work, even if you were paid for notice you did not work. For pay, the day you were not paid correctly; for discrimination, the latest date you include. A grievance or appeal does not pause the clock.
If missed
you can still make a claim, but it is up to the judge whether to accept it, and in most cases the limits are strictly enforced. Notifying Acas only pauses the limit if you notify within it
It lets you
notify Acas first, within your time limit. That pauses the limit while early conciliation runs, for up to 12 weeks. If there is no agreement Acas gives you a certificate with a number on it, which you need for the tribunal claim form (ET1), and you have at least 1 month from the day you receive it to make the claim
Use this card only if the harassment at work is because of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation, or is sexual harassment, and a boss or colleague is responsible. Acas says that from 30 October 2026 an employer can also be liable for harassment by a customer, client or other third party, unless it took all reasonable steps to prevent it: ask Acas how that applies to your dates. Acas says an employer must do all it reasonably can to protect people from discrimination by others. This card does not cover a stalker with no link to your work: use the police and stalking cards. Acas also says there is no specific law against bullying. Count from the last incident you include in your claim. In Northern Ireland the Labour Relations Agency takes the place of Acas.
Where this differs: England, Scotland and Wales. In Northern Ireland, notify the Labour Relations Agency instead; an unfair dismissal claim has three months. Breach of contract in Scotland has 3 months minus 1 day if it happened before 9 November 2026, and interim relief has only 7 days.
Checked 7 October 2026 at Acas

Who to call

Jump to: United States · United Kingdom

In the United States

VictimConnect Resource Center

call or text 855-484-2846, or chat online, at any hour: a trained specialist explains your rights and options and points you to local help, such as a victim advocate. It is a referral helpline for victims of every kind of crime, not a crisis line. It can talk with you only if you are physically safe right now: if not, call 911

Call 1-855-484-2846 · Text 1-855-484-2846 · 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, by call, text or chat

Before you call: what to have ready

They can

talk with a trained victim assistance specialist by call or text on 855-484-2846 or by online chat, at any hour
give emotional support, information and referral options, including local and national resources by crime type, financial support and legal services
give referrals in over 200 languages, the National Center for Victims of Crime says

They cannot

talk, text or chat with you unless you are currently physically safe: if you are in immediate danger, call 911
take the place of an emergency line: it is a referral helpline

National Domestic Violence Hotline

if the person is a current or former partner, or the stalking is part of abuse in a relationship: call 1-800-799-7233 at any hour, text START to 88788, or chat online. Advocates help you plan for your safety. If no advocate is free, the site offers an AI chat called Ruth: it is software, not a person. If the person is a stranger, neighbour or colleague, VictimConnect fits better

Call 1-800-799-7233 · Text START to 88788 · 24/7

Before you call: what to have ready

They can

put you through to a live advocate by phone (1-800-799-7233), chat, or text START to 88788; message and data rates may apply
give support, crisis intervention, education about domestic violence, and community resources and referrals
point you to local providers, including shelters and legal help, and to other lines: StrongHearts for Native Americans and Alaska Natives (844.762.8483) and a video phone line for people who are deaf or hard of hearing (855.812.1001)

They cannot

give direct financial help such as cash support, hotel vouchers or transportation vouchers: the Hotline says it can connect you with community resources that may support these needs

Love Is Respect

if you are a teenager or young adult and a boyfriend, girlfriend or ex is scaring or controlling you: call 1-866-331-9474 or text LOVEIS to 22522, at any hour

Call 1-866-331-9474 · Text LOVEIS to 22522 · 24/7

National Center for Missing & Exploited Children

If anyone is in danger now, call 911 first. If a sexual picture or video of you from before you were 18 is being shared, or used to threaten you: call this number at any hour to report it, and ask about Take It Down. Take It Down is free, and you never send the picture

Call 1-800-843-5678 · 24 hours

Before you call: what to have ready

Have ready

if a child is missing: report to your local police first (911 if anyone is in immediate danger). NCMEC says to call it after the police have the report
for that police call, as NCMEC lists it: the child's name, date of birth, height, weight, marks such as eyeglasses or braces, when you noticed they were missing, and what they were wearing
for Take It Down: nothing to send. The picture or video stays on your own device

They may ask

if a child is missing: a call center specialist records information about your child

They can

answer 24 hours a day on 1-800-843-5678 (1-800-THE-LOST)
if a child is missing: work with your family and the police on the case, make and share posters, pass tips from the hotline to the police, and put you in touch with trained volunteers whose own child went missing
give crisis support and referrals to local counseling for a family with a missing or sexually exploited child
take a sighting: find the child's poster and report it there, or call the same number
point you to tools for removing sexual pictures and videos of a minor from the internet, including Take It Down, which is free and lets you stay anonymous

They cannot

replace the police or 911: if anyone is in immediate danger call 911; for a missing child, call your local police first
promise an AMBER Alert: its page says AMBER Alerts are activated in the most serious cases of child abduction
remove images from every site: Take It Down works on public or unencrypted platforms that have agreed to take part
help with images taken when you were 18 or older: for those the site points to stopncii.org
take images from you: do not send, share or download an image to use Take It Down, which makes a digital fingerprint on your own device

LawHelp.org

once you are safe: finds free legal help in your state, for example to ask about a protective order (a court order that tells the person to stay away; your state decides its name and rules). It sends you to legal aid and does not give legal advice itself

lawhelp.org · Online

Before you call: what to have ready

Have ready

the state or territory where you live: the site starts by asking you to choose it

They can

send you to legal aid and other low-cost legal help near you
give you legal help guides, including one on court fees and getting them paid
help you create legal documents for free in areas such as housing, with LawHelp Interactive

They cannot

give legal advice or take your case itself: it sends you to legal aid and other help in your state

StopNCII.org

if someone has shared, or threatens to share, private pictures of you and you were 18 or older in them: a free tool that makes a digital fingerprint on your own device, so you send the pictures to no one. It works anywhere in the world, and the FTC points US readers to it. If you were under 18 in the pictures it is not the right tool: see the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children card (US), or Childline (UK, if you are under 18 now). In the UK, if you are 18 or over now, tell the police

stopncii.org · Online

In the United Kingdom

Police: report stalking or harassment (999 or 101)

in danger now: call 999. Otherwise call 101, or report online, in England and Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland (Police Scotland also takes reports in person). Ask for a crime reference number and the officer's name. If you are not sure whether it is stalking or harassment, tell them what has happened: Police Scotland says they will explain. In Northern Ireland, Tesco Mobile and giffgaff users call 028 9065 0222 instead of 101.

Call 101 · 101 is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

Before you call: what to have ready

Have ready

as much information as you can about what happened: where, when, and what the people involved look like (the Northern Ireland government's advice on what to tell the police)
details of anyone who saw it, and how it has affected you
a record of what has happened, if you have kept one: it is useful, but the Metropolitan Police say you do not need to collect evidence before you report
your contact details, and whether you are worried about your own or your family's safety, so that they can give you the right advice

They can

take a report of stalking or harassment by phone on 101 or online when it is not an emergency; Police Scotland also takes reports in person
explain what it is and what can be done, if you are not sure whether it is stalking or harassment: Police Scotland says to tell them what has happened
send help if you call 999 because you or someone else is in immediate danger

They cannot

be reached on 101 in an emergency: call 999

Write down the crime reference number you are given, and who you spoke to. Action Against Stalking advises keeping a record of who you speak to and any crime reference numbers.

National Domestic Abuse Helpline (Refuge)

if the person is a current or former partner, or a family member, and you are afraid of them: free; call 0808 2000 247 at any hour (England). The advisers are all female: if you are a man, see the Men's Advice Line below

Call 0808 2000 247 · 24 hours a day

Before you call: what to have ready

Have ready

if you think someone might be monitoring your devices, the site says to leave it and visit from a safe device

They can

talk with you 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, on 0808 2000 247, free, or through live chat
talk about domestic abuse, safety planning, advice and support, in many different languages
help you find a refuge place or other specialist services
offer a British Sign Language service, 10am to 6pm Monday to Friday

They cannot

help you directly to get a non-molestation order: the site says it offers signposting, and points to Rights of Women for advice and support on that
replace 999: if you are in an emergency, call 999

Live Fear Free Helpline

the same help in Wales: call 0808 80 10 800 at any hour, or text 07860077333

Call 0808 80 10 800 · Text 07860077333 · 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

Before you call: what to have ready

They can

give free advice and support, or talk through your options, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, by phone on 0808 80 10 800 (calls are welcomed in Welsh), text on 07860077333, live chat or email
help anyone who has experienced domestic abuse or sexual violence, and people who know someone who needs help

Scotland's Domestic Abuse and Forced Marriage Helpline

the same help in Scotland: call 0800 027 1234 at any hour

Call 0800 027 1234 · Text / WhatsApp: 07401288595 · 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

Before you call: what to have ready

They can

talk with you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, on 0800 027 1234; you can also text or use WhatsApp on 07401288595, use online chat or email
listen and believe you, give information, direct you to agencies that may help, give emotional support and offer crisis intervention in emergencies
give practical support, including housing support, and information on accommodation and housing options and refuge
use an interpreting service: you may be asked to hold, or be called back, while an interpreter is arranged; Relay UK and British Sign Language through Contact Scotland BSL are also available

They cannot

replace 999: the site says if you are in immediate danger, phone 999

Domestic and Sexual Abuse Helpline (Northern Ireland)

the same help in Northern Ireland, if you are 18 or over: call 0808 802 1414 at any hour. If you are under 18, call 999 if you are in danger, or Childline on 0800 1111

Call 0808 802 1414 · 24/7, 365 days a year

Before you call: what to have ready

They can

talk with trained helpline staff, free, 24/7, 365 days a year, on 0808 802 1414, or by email (help@dsahelpline.org) or live chat
give you information and guidance that fits your own circumstances

They cannot

help anyone under 18: the site says the helpline is for anyone aged 18 and over
replace 999: the site says if you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 999

Men's Advice Line

if you are a man, including a trans or non-binary person, and the person is a current or former partner: phone 0808 8010327

Call 0808 8010327 · Phone Monday to Friday, 10am to 5pm. Webchat Monday to Friday, 9am to 10am.

Before you call: what to have ready

Have ready

nothing is needed: you do not have to give your name, date of birth or address, or prove anything

They may ask

a few questions about your situation and your level of risk, so they can help with a safety plan. You can say you are not ready to answer.
at the end, some optional monitoring questions for their funders, such as your age and which local authority you live in. You cannot be identified by your answers.

They can

listen without judgement and give practical advice and information
point you to services for legal advice, child contact, counselling and housing
give you about 30 minutes, and more if you need it
get you an interpreter by phone, or talk through Relay UK
move your call to another adviser if you ask for an adviser of a different gender, if one is available

They cannot

give legal advice: advisers can give legal information and point you to services that give advice
take a call outside Monday to Friday, 10am to 5pm, or webchat outside Monday to Friday, 9am to 10am

You might wait in a queue and can stay on the line as long as you like. If you do not want to queue, the site says you can use webchat in its opening hours. On webchat, try to reply within 2 minutes.

Childline

if you are a child or young person: call 0800 1111 at any hour, or chat online, about anything that is frightening you. If you are under 18 and a sexual picture of you is online, it can help you get it removed with Report Remove. In an emergency call 999

Call 0800 1111 · 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

Before you call: what to have ready

They can

talk with a counsellor 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, on 0800 1111 or by 1-2-1 online chat; you can talk about anything, big or small
take your call free from most landlines and mobiles in the UK: the call will not show on a phone bill, and you can call even if you have no credit
help deaf young people through 1-2-1 chat or email to a counsellor, or British Sign Language through an interpreter (SignVideo, Monday to Friday 8am to 8pm and Saturday 8am to 1pm)
help you, if you are under 18, report a sexual picture or video of yourself and get it removed from the internet, with Report Remove, run with the Internet Watch Foundation

They cannot

take more than 10 calls in 24 hours from a single phone number: the site says a limit applies
replace 999: the site says in an emergency you should always call 999

At night it can take longer to get through on chat, and calls may be shorter than usual. If it is difficult to get through and you need urgent help, call 999.

CEOP Safety Centre

UK, if you are under 18 and someone online is worrying you, pressuring you for pictures or threatening you: report it to CEOP's Child Protection Advisors online. In an emergency call 999

ceop.police.uk · Online

Before you call: what to have ready

They can

take a report, made online, to one of CEOP's Child Protection Advisors, if you are worried about online sexual abuse or the way someone has been communicating with you online
take a report if you are worried this is happening to someone you know: the page invites you to let CEOP know safely and securely
point you to Childline if you are being bullied or are not ready to report: the page says you can talk to Childline anonymously online or on the phone

National Stalking Helpline (Suzy Lamplugh Trust)

free advice on 0808 802 0300: advisers talk through risk, safety planning and the law. Its page lists no weekend hours. Demand is very high, so call rather than use its online form if you need advice quickly. If you are in danger, call 999 instead. The charity says its advocacy (someone who can speak for you with the police or others) is for victims in England and Wales; the Scottish and Northern Ireland governments both list this line for advice

Call 0808 802 0300 · Monday and Wednesday, 9:30am to 8pm. Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, 9:30am to 4pm.

Before you call: what to have ready

They may ask

what has been happening to you, so the advice fits your situation
whether you have been to the police, and how you are feeling now. If a question is too personal, you do not need to answer it

They can

give free advice by phone on 0808 802 0300 on risk, safety planning and the law, fitted to your situation
explain their confidentiality policy at the start of the call
consider you for an advocate who works with you to get the police to investigate, collect evidence and apply for protection orders, assess your risk, speak for you with the police, social services, housing or your employer, and go to court with you depending on where you live

They cannot

promise you an advocate: the page says you may be considered for advocacy
advise on every issue: if you mention one they do not feel they can accurately give information on, they may give you the details of another service
reply to the online form straight away: the page says demand is very high and, if you need advice quickly, to call the helpline
be reached outside the hours listed: the page gives no weekend hours

Demand for the service is very high. The page says that if you need advice quickly, you should call the helpline rather than use the online form.

Action Against Stalking

a Scottish charity that helps anyone in the UK: leave a message on 0800 820 2427 or email it, and its team gets back to you. The line is a voicemail, so you cannot talk to someone straight away, and the charity decides case by case whether it can offer you its service. It can help you through reporting to the police. The Northern Ireland government also lists it

Call 0800 820 2427 · Voicemail only. Leave a message and our team will get back to you.

Before you call: what to have ready

Have ready

a note of who you have spoken to and any crime reference numbers: the charity advises keeping one

They may ask

on its self-referral form: your name, gender, ethnicity, address, email, phone number, date of birth and how you prefer to be contacted, then who is stalking you and how you know them, what has been happening, how long it has been happening, and what help you are looking for

They can

take a voicemail on 0800 820 2427 and have the team get back to you
take an enquiry by email to support@actionagainststalking.org
listen, give support, advice and information, and if you choose to report to the police, help you through the criminal justice system and possibly advocate on your behalf

They cannot

answer the phone: the freephone number is a voicemail-only service
take everyone: the charity says suitability for its services is considered on an individual basis
offer advice or support on 'Gang Stalking' or to anyone who has stalking or stalking-related charges against them: its adults page says it is unable to
take self-referrals through its web form for now: its self-referral page says the form is having issues and to email instead
help in an emergency: if you are in immediate danger, call 999

Its self-referral page says it aims to respond to your enquiry within 3 working days. No call-back time is stated for the voicemail line. The charity advises keeping a record of who you speak to and any crime reference numbers.

The Cyber Helpline

free and online only, for stalking and harassment online, hacked accounts and checking your devices: a chatbot (software), then guides, then a vetted volunteer if needed. It is open to people in the UK and the US aged 13 or older. It may not be able to fix a device that is badly compromised, so tell the police too. If you are in danger, call 999 or 911

thecyberhelpline.com · Online. The self-help service is open 24 hours a day. No hours are stated for one-to-one help from a volunteer.

Before you call: what to have ready

Have ready

nothing is needed to start. Do not give it passwords, two-factor codes or account numbers: its helpline terms say you should never provide them

They may ask

in the chatbot: questions to help you explain your issue, so it can match it to a known type of cyber attack
if you ask the chatbot for a person: your contact details, before you are passed to the human helpline

They can

give free guidance online: a chatbot, then in-depth guides, then if needed one-to-one help from a vetted volunteer cybersecurity professional
help individuals and sole traders affected by hacking, fraud, stalking, harassment, intimate image abuse and account compromise, including someone helping a child or family member

They cannot

connect to your accounts or devices to fix your problem, or meet you in person: its terms say 'Under no circumstances' will the helpline team do this
report your case to the police for you in most cases: its terms say it does not, and only in high-risk situations where you or a child is in danger may it decide to
promise a fast reply: its terms say it cannot guarantee an immediate or fast response
be reached by phone: no number is given on its site, and its contact page says the quickest way to its help is the chatbot on the Get Help page
help in an emergency: its emergency advice page says to call 999 in the UK or 911 in the US if you are in immediate danger
help anyone under 13, or a business: its about page says aged 13 or older, individuals and sole traders only

The contact page says the chatbot is the quickest way to its help. Its terms say it cannot guarantee a fast response. If you speak to a volunteer, its terms say calls may be recorded for training and to keep a record of the advice.

StopNCII.org

stopncii.org · Online

Revenge Porn Helpline

if you live in the UK, are 18 or over, and private pictures of you have been shared or threatened: an adviser gives advice and can help you report the content. Call 0345 6000 459 (it costs the same as a call to an 01 or 02 number) or email. Under 18: use Childline

Call 0345 6000 459 · Monday to Friday, 10am to 4pm, excluding bank holidays

Before you call: what to have ready

Have ready

direct links to any content that has been shared online, to send by email if you can
what has happened, if you are able to tell them: has someone shared your images online, and where? Is someone threatening to share them, and where? Do you know who is doing this, or did you meet them online?
a screenshot or direct link to the person's profile, if you want its help with reports of users

They can

give advice and support to someone who has been a victim of intimate image abuse, by phone on 0345 6000 459 or by email at help@revengepornhelpline.org.uk
call you back if you ask: its page says you can ask for a call back by email, giving your contact number and a convenient time to call, and that it responds as soon as it can within opening hours
help with reports of users, if you send a screenshot or direct link to their profile
give advice at any hour through its chatbot, REIYA, which is software, not a person

They cannot

support anyone under 18 or anyone living outside the UK: its page says it can only support victims living in the UK who are over 18
answer the phone outside 10am to 4pm, Monday to Friday, or on bank holidays
make a platform take an image down if the platform refuses: its 2025 annual report says some platforms, mostly based overseas, refuse takedown requests

Calls cost the same as a standard 01 or 02 number, and a phone plan that includes landline calls includes 0345 calls too. Replies by email may land in your junk or spam folder.

Victim Support (Supportline)

England and Wales: free support at any hour on 08 08 16 89 111, or live chat. It is a general support service for people affected by crime, not a stalking specialist: it explains your rights and options

Call 08 08 16 89 111 · 24/7, every day of the year

Before you call: what to have ready

They may ask

on the online form: how you want help, what brought you to Victim Support (for example fraud, cyber crime or image based sexual abuse), and which country and county you live in

They can

give free, independent advice by phone on 08 08 16 89 111, by live chat or through an online form, at any time
call you back from your local area team within three working days if you use the online form
take Relay UK calls or help in BSL

They cannot

replace 999: in an emergency, always call 999
help you if you live in Scotland: Victim Support Scotland is a separate service, and the form on this site is for England and Wales
keep everything private in every case: it shares information without your consent only if it is worried about your safety or someone else's, or if the law requires it

Victim Support Scotland (helpline)

Scotland: free support on 0800 160 1985, or chat. It is a general crime-victim service, not a stalking specialist: it can listen, explain how the justice system works, talk through whether to report, refer you to specialists and, the Crown Office says, help you fill in the Victims' Right to Review form

Call 0800 160 1985 · 8am to 8pm Monday to Friday, 10am to 4pm Saturday and Sunday

Before you call: what to have ready

They may ask

on the request form: some information about you and your experiences

They can

give free support by helpline on 0800 160 1985, by live web chat, or through a request form
give emotional support and explain how the criminal justice system works
talk through whether to report a crime if you have not, and help you report it if you decide to
talk to your GP, housing association or other organisations, and refer you to specialists
possibly help you get funds if you are in urgent need because of a crime and have no other way to get the money

They cannot

take your call or chat outside 8am to 8pm Monday to Friday and 10am to 4pm Saturday and Sunday

Victim Support NI

Northern Ireland: free support whether or not you reported it, and the Northern Ireland government lists it for stalking. It is a general victim service, not a stalking specialist. Call the hub nearest you: Belfast on 028 9024 3133, or Foyle on 028 7137 0086 if you live in Antrim and Newtownabbey, Causeway Coast and Glens, Derry and Strabane, Fermanagh and Omagh, Mid and East Antrim or Mid-Ulster

Call 028 9024 3133 · Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm

Before you call: what to have ready

They can

give free emotional and practical support after any type of crime, whether or not you reported it to the police
help with tasks such as filling in forms for a criminal injury compensation claim
help arrange counselling if they think you need it: what they do is similar to counselling, but it is not the same
help relatives and friends too

They cannot

keep everything confidential in every case: they may pass information on if someone is at risk of harm, if a child may be at risk, or if a judge directs it

Lines can be busy. If you cannot get through, wait on the line until the answer service starts and leave your name and number: a member of staff will call you back as soon as they can. You can also email your nearest hub.

Citizens Advice (Adviceline, England)

England: free advice. Its harassment page explains going to court to stop harassment (an injunction, which you start yourself) and harassment that is discrimination. The page says to get legal advice before you apply to court, and points to the National Stalking Helpline for stalking

Call 0800 144 8848 · Usually 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday. Not available on public holidays.

Before you call: what to have ready

Have ready

your postcode if you call from a mobile: if you do not have one, say one nearby such as a GP surgery, takeaway shop or taxi company

They may ask

your postcode, from a mobile, to find your local Citizens Advice

They can

connect you to your local Citizens Advice (Adviceline, England)
talk to you by online chat: Universal Credit claims 8am to 6pm Monday to Friday, debt 9am to 8pm Monday to Friday and 9:30am to 1pm Saturday
help with a new Universal Credit claim through Help to Claim, free and confidential, from the application to the first payment
take Relay UK calls (18001 then 0800 144 8848)

They cannot

answer on public holidays: Adviceline is not available then
cover all of the UK on this number: it is for England, Wales has a separate Advicelink line, and there are a few parts of England not yet covered
help everywhere: most local Citizens Advice can only help if you live or work in their area

Usually busiest at the start of the day. At busy times you might wait up to an hour, and a call not answered within an hour is disconnected, so try again later. Calls are free from mobiles and landlines.

Citizens Advice Cymru (Advicelink Wales)

the same advice in Wales

Call 0800 702 2020 · Monday to Friday 8am to 7pm. Saturday 9am to 1pm.

Before you call: what to have ready

They can

connect you to an adviser through Advicelink (Wales) on 0800 702 2020, free from mobiles and landlines
talk to you by online chat about any other kind of problem, usually 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday
take Relay UK calls: 18001 then 0800 702 2020
point you to the Citizens Advice consumer service for problems with energy, water or post

They cannot

answer on public holidays: Advicelink is not available then
help you in person if you live outside your local office's area: most local Citizens Advice can only help if you live or work in their area

Usually busiest at the beginning and end of the day. At busy times you might wait up to an hour, and a call not answered within an hour is disconnected, so try again later.

Citizens Advice Scotland (Scottish Citizens Advice Helpline)

Scotland: free advice from a local bureau. Its harassment page explains going to court to stop harassment (a non-harassment order or an interdict, which you start yourself) and says to get help from a solicitor before you apply

Call 0800 028 1456

Before you call: what to have ready

Have ready

your postcode: the page finds your local Citizens Advice Bureau by postcode

They can

put you through to an adviser at your local bureau by phone on 0800 028 1456, the Scottish Citizens Advice Helpline
give free, confidential and impartial advice, and help you work out next steps
raise a complaint with an energy supplier for you through its Extra Help Unit, if you may be considered vulnerable or at risk of disconnection
give advice online, on its advice pages

Scottish Legal Aid Board (find a legal aid solicitor)

Scotland: finds a legal aid solicitor near you, for example to ask about a non-harassment order or an interdict. Legal aid is not always free, and the Board does not give legal advice itself

Call 0131 226 7061

Before you call: what to have ready

Have ready

the list of what to bring, from your solicitor: ask them before the appointment
your most recent bank statements showing your income, savings and any household payments you make
recent wage slips, or accounts if you are self-employed
current benefit award letters or notifications
pension payment advice from a former employer, or your pension or benefit book
details of all your savings and accounts: bank, building society or post office statements or passbooks
any documents to do with your case
the same money details for your partner, unless you are separated or they are the person you have the legal problem with

They may ask

what kind of help you need (civil, criminal or children's hearings) and your location in Scotland, in the finder
about your savings and income over the past 7 days, on the form your solicitor gives you

They can

show you registered legal aid solicitors near you
explain whether legal aid is available in principle, how to apply, and what your solicitor needs to give them
agree for your solicitor to start work straight away in an urgent case, before your application is assessed. Legal aid does not cover work done before the Board agrees, so check with your solicitor that it has
take calls from British Sign Language users through Contact Scotland BSL

They cannot

give you legal advice: it only gives information on applying for legal aid
tell you by phone whether legal aid will be granted for your case
take an application from you directly: you can only apply through a solicitor
make a solicitor take your case: each solicitor decides, even if registered for legal aid, so you may need to try more than one

Acas helpline

if the harassment is at work, by a boss or colleague (or, from 30 October 2026, a customer or client), because of your sex, race, disability, age, religion or belief, sexual orientation or gender reassignment, or it is sexual harassment: free advice on your rights and on the tribunal time limit. Advisers cannot act for you, and you may be charged for the call

Call 0300 123 1100 · Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm

Before you call: what to have ready

Have ready

the questions you need help with, written out
what is in your employment contract or relevant workplace policies

They can

talk through most work-related problems or questions you have
explain what the law says and how it relates to you
discuss your options for what to do next, including the risks and benefits
give you an interpreter straight away if you ask, take Relay UK calls (18001 0300 123 1100) and take British Sign Language calls through the InterpretersLive! video relay service

They cannot

take sides, tell you what choice to make, give a legal opinion or act on your behalf
give advice on P45s or P60s
answer outside Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm
promise a free call: the advice is free but you may be charged for the call

Labour Relations Agency (Northern Ireland)

the same help in Northern Ireland. Before a tribunal claim you notify the Labour Relations Agency for Early Conciliation, not Acas

Call 03300 555 300

Before you call: what to have ready

They can

give you information about your employment rights and responsibilities, for your specific circumstances, on the Workplace Information Service 03300 555 300
arrange an interpreter if needed
take your details by phone for an Early Conciliation notification, if you cannot do it online

They cannot

take a call about a conciliation, mediation, independent appeal or arbitration case on the Workplace Information line: for those their page says to call the switchboard on 03300 552 220
let you go to tribunal without considering Early Conciliation: you must notify the agency first, though nidirect lists some exceptions

Say it this way

Change anything to your own words.

To the police · when you report, by phone, online or in person · by call

I am being stalked or harassed. [Say who it is, if you know, and what has happened, using your log.] Please record it and give me a crime reference number or report number, the name of the officer and how to reach them. Please tell me what happens next. [England, Wales, Northern Ireland: Could a stalking protection order be considered?]

To a person you trust · today · by text

Someone is stalking me. Please do not reply to them or tell them where I am, and tell me if they contact you. If they ask about me, say you do not know, and let me know. Please do not confront them. Could you be someone I can call if I need help?

To your manager or security · if they contact you at work or come to your workplace · by email

Someone is contacting me at work in a way that frightens me. [Name or description.] Please do not give out any information about me, and please tell me who I should speak to about my safety here. Could we talk about keeping me safe at work? Could you confirm in writing that you have received this?

To the platform where your picture was posted (US) · as soon as you find it, through the platform's removal form or help page · by email

I am the person in this intimate image, or I act for them: [link or where it is]. It was shared without consent, and I believe that in good faith (honestly). Please remove it and known identical copies within 48 hours, as the TAKE IT DOWN Act requires. Contact me at [an email only you read]. Signed: [your full name].

Not for you if…

This guide is for someone who is being followed, watched, repeatedly contacted or targeted in a way that frightens or distresses them, by a stranger, an ex, a neighbour, a colleague or someone online. If the person is a current or former partner and you are afraid of them, call a domestic abuse helpline first: its advocates plan for your safety, and some steps here could anger them. If you were tricked into paying someone, see 'I paid a scammer, or think I've been scammed'. If someone is using your name for accounts, loans or benefits, see 'Someone is using my identity'. If a debt collector is contacting you, see 'A debt collector is chasing me, or I got court papers about a debt'. If someone under 18, including you, is being contacted online by an adult, or blackmailed online by anyone, call the police at once. If you are harassed because of your race, religion, sexuality, disability or because you are transgender, it may also be a hate crime: tell the police that is why. If this is bullying at work with no fear for your safety, Acas, your union or your employer's complaints process fits better. You need a lawyer or an adviser, not just this page, in these cases. If you want to ask a court for an order against the person (an injunction in England and Wales; a non-harassment order or an interdict in Scotland; a protective order in the US, which your state names and handles). If the police will not act. If the person is your employer, landlord or colleague and your job or home is at risk. If the person has been charged and you are asked to give evidence. If your right to stay in the country depends on the person, speak to an immigration lawyer or adviser as well.

A different emergency? Account frozen or closed · Behind on mortgage · Benefits stopped · A car accident · Car repossessed or towed · Bullied at school · Suspended or excluded from school · Help at school · Council tax or rates · Debt collector or court papers · Deposit not returned · Sent home from hospital · Eviction notice · Flood, fire or storm · Health cover ending · Unsafe home · Hurt at work · Paid a scammer · Lost my job · Lost wallet or phone · A medical bill · No money for food · Nowhere to sleep · Parking or traffic fine · Shutoff notice · Someone died · Someone is missing · Identity theft · Stranded away from home · A tax bill · Told to leave home · Pay being taken · Wages not paid

From the library

Which online privacy habits are actually worth the bother?