STALKING blights the lives of many, making people terrified to leave their homes in fear of being tracked by their perpetrators.

Bolton domestic abuse charity Fortalice says victims may be followed on foot or by car and receive unwanted letters, texts, emails and social media messages, which can turn into bullying.

Stalkers may become more aggressive by causing criminal damage to their homes or slash their victims' tyres or key their cars.

Verbal threats may be made and restraining orders have been to known to have been breached.

The perpetrators might order food and services to be delivered to their victims' homes or they may arrive at their workplaces or venues where they go to socialise.

Child contact is known to be used to stalk and harass.

Such behaviour is designed to "scare and intimidate the victim", Fortalice says.

This week marks National Stalking Awareness Week and Fortalice, which also runs a refuge, is highlighting how much stalking, which is closely linked to domestic abuse, affects victims' lives.

Chief executive Gill Smallwood said: "Stalking and harassment has a very detrimental effect on victims, particularly when they have left a relationship to escape coercion and control.

"It can feel like they still don’t have control over their own lives and sometimes feels like they will never be free of the perpetrator.

"It can effect their mental and physical health, their relationships with others and in some cases cause them to return to the perpetrator.

"Victims can often think that blocking someone on their phone or deleting them on social media can help to stop the stalking and harassment.

"However, the pattern of domestic abuse dictates that the perpetrator will often then find an alternative way to stalk and harass the victim, for example instead of sending messages they will start to appear in person.

"This creates an escalation in the types of stalking and harassment which will present a bigger risk to the victim."

Stalking often emerges after the breakdown of a relationship.

Some stalkers try their hardest to get back together with their former partner, using alarming tactics.

"One of the most recognised aspects in domestic abuse is coercion and control", Mrs Smallwood said.

"While the victim is still in the relationship with the perpetrator this is the biggest factor in them staying in a relationship.

"It’s part of the recognisable pattern of domestic abuse that when the victim eventually leaves the relationship, the perpetrator will still try to retain that control, either to try to get the victim to return to the relationship, or to ensure that they don’t tell anyone about what has been happening to them.

"This is the point when stalking and harassment usually occurs.

"The perpetrator will use stalking and harassment as an extension of the control they used in the relationship.

"It is designed to intimidate, scare and distress victims of domestic abuse."

Providing support to victims in crucial in checking how much danger someone may be in.

Mrs Smallwood said: "When professionals working with victims they use a risk assessment form to determine the level of risk.

"This risk assessment form is based on evidence gathered from past cases where the victims have been seriously harmed or murdered.

"Several of the questions on this form are related to stalking and harassment as it is recognised that these behaviours are a red flag in identifying high-risk victims.

"Awareness of the impact of stalking and harassment on victims is very important for all statutory and voluntary services involved in supporting victims of domestic abuse.

"Stalking and harassment is obsessive behaviour and can escalate quickly.

"Professionals involved with victims will always advise them to speak to the police on 101 and report any harassment. The law on harassment is very clear."