Organized Harassment (Including ‘Gang Stalking’): A Method of Retaliation, Silencing, and Intimidation

Overview:

Organized harassment, commonly associated with the controversial term ‘gang stalking,’ is a form of coordinated intimidation and harassment perpetrated against individuals by groups or networks. This phenomenon involves multiple perpetrators working together to systematically target and harass a victim, often with the goal of retaliation, silencing dissent, or instilling fear.

Note: It is our preference to refer to this activity as ‘organized harassment’ rather than ‘gang stalking’ due to the widespread misperception that these experiences are entirely pathological and indicative of severe mental illness and paranoid delusions. Such a broad brush perspective is extremely dangerous and isolating for victims of these very real coordinated attempts at sabotage, discrediting, intimidation and destruction.

Key Characteristics:

1. Coordinated Effort: Perpetrators of organized harassment work together in a coordinated manner, utilizing various tactics to target the victim.
2. Multifaceted Tactics: Perpetrators employ a wide range of tactics, including surveillance, stalking, verbal abuse, vandalism, psychological manipulation, and cyber harassment.
3. Persistent and Pervasive: Organized harassment is often persistent and ongoing, creating a pervasive atmosphere of fear and anxiety for the victim.
4. Gaslighting: Perpetrators may engage in gaslighting, deliberately manipulating the victim’s perception of reality to undermine their confidence and sanity.
5. Community Involvement: In some cases, perpetrators recruit members of the community, such as neighbours or acquaintances, to participate in the harassment campaign, further isolating the victim.

Motives:

1. Retaliation: Organized harassment may be initiated as retaliation for perceived slights, conflicts, or opposition to the perpetrators’ beliefs or actions.
2. Silencing Dissent: Individuals who speak out against corruption, injustice, or other controversial issues may be targeted in an attempt to silence their voices and discourage further dissent.
3. Intimidation: The primary goal of organized harassment is often to intimidate and instill fear in the victim, coercing them into compliance or silence.

Impact on Victims:

1. Psychological Effects: Victims of organized harassment may experience severe psychological distress, including anxiety, paranoia, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
2. Social Isolation: The harassment campaign can lead to social isolation as victims may withdraw from friends, family, and community activities out of fear or shame.
3. Professional and Financial Consequences: Victims may also suffer professional and financial repercussions, such as job loss, damage to reputation, or financial strain due to legal fees or relocation costs.
4. Self-harm and suicidality: Victims may feel trapped and powerless to improve and prove their situation, and so they may resort to self-destructive behaviour or taking their own lives (which is the ultimate aim of these harassment campaigns).

Legal and Ethical Implications:

1. Legal Protections: While laws vary by jurisdiction, organized harassment may constitute various criminal offenses, including stalking, harassment, defamation, and conspiracy. Victims should seek legal counsel to explore their options for protection and recourse.
2. Ethical Considerations: Perpetrators of organized harassment violate fundamental ethical principles, including respect for individual autonomy, dignity, privacy and freedom from harm.

Response and Support:

1. Documentation: Victims should document instances of harassment, including dates, times, locations, and descriptions of the perpetrators and their actions.
2. Seek Support: Victims should seek support from trusted friends, family members, and mental health professionals to cope with the emotional toll of organized harassment.
3. Community Resources: Local organizations and support groups may offer assistance and resources to victims of organized harassment, including advocacy, counseling, and legal support.

Conclusion:

Organized harassment, including ‘gang stalking,’ is a reprehensible tactic used to retaliate against, silence, and intimidate individuals. By raising awareness of this phenomenon and providing support to victims, communities can work to combat organized harassment and uphold principles of justice, dignity, and human rights.

Learn more about organised harassment techniques via the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), and the below interview with victims of organised harassment.

Download a template impact statement to help you share your experiences clearly

Download a template affidavit to help you record your experiences for legal purposes

Download a template incident log to keep a record of your experiences for legal purposes

Use this template letter to write to your MP to take action on organised harassment

Sign this petition to Congress by a victim-survivor to demand investigation of the Terror Screening Database

Read about the Known and Suspected Terrorists (KST) File which has been linked to organised harassment

View our awareness campaign against policing and intelligence abuses

Read about the experiences of our Founder with organised harassment

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Further help

1. Victim Support Services:

• UK: Victim Support – Provides emotional support, practical help, and essential information to victims of crime. Website
• US: National Center for Victims of Crime – Offers resources, advocacy, and support services for victims of all types of crime. Website
• Canada: Canadian Centre for Victims of Crime – Provides support services and resources to victims of crime across Canada. Website
• Australia: Victims Services – Offers support and information for victims of crime in New South Wales, Australia. Website
• Europe: Victim Support Europe – A network of victim support organizations across Europe, providing assistance to victims of crime. Website

2. Legal Assistance:

• UK: Citizens Advice – Offers free legal advice and assistance on various legal matters, including harassment and stalking. Website
• US: Legal Aid – Provides legal assistance to low-income individuals, including victims of harassment and stalking. Website
• Canada: Legal Aid Canada – Offers legal aid services to eligible individuals facing legal issues, including victims of crime. Website
• Australia: Legal Aid Australia – Provides legal assistance and advice to individuals across Australia. Website
• Europe: European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) – Provides information on legal rights and resources for victims of crime in Europe. Website

3. Mental Health Support:

Check out our full library of mental health support, as well as the following services:

• UK: Mind – Mental health charity offering support and resources for individuals experiencing mental health issues, including those related to harassment and stalking. Website
• US: National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) – Provides advocacy, support, and education for individuals and families affected by mental illness. Website
• Canada: Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) – Offers support services and resources for individuals experiencing mental health challenges. Website
• Australia: Beyond Blue – Provides support and information on mental health issues, including anxiety and depression. Website
• Europe: Mental Health Europe – Advocates for the rights of people with mental health issues and provides resources for support. Website

4. Government Agencies:

• UK: National Stalking Helpline – Provides information, advice, and support to victims of stalking. Website
• US: Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) – Offers resources and support for victims of crime, including stalking and harassment. Website
• Canada: Canadian Victims Bill of Rights – Outlines the rights of victims of crime and provides information on available support services. Website
• Australia: Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC) – Provides advice and assistance on cyber security issues, including online harassment. Website
• Europe: European Institute for Gender Equality (EIGE) – Offers resources and support for victims of gender-based violence, including stalking. Website

Additional Links

Fight Gangstalking Resources

MyLawQuestions: Understanding the reality behind coordinated harassment

Guide to Security from the Tech Worker Handbook

Techniques used to inflict organised harassment