Cyberstalking and Technology Facilitated Abuse Training

Police, Crime and Justice Plan, Priority 3: Protecting Vulnerable People and Communities from Harm, including Online.

Together for a Safe, Just and Inclusive South Wales.

Definitions

Cyberstalking is repeated and deliberate use of the internet and other electronic communication tools to engage in persistent, unwanted communication intended to frighten, intimidate or harass someone.
Cyber-dependent abuse is abuse that can only be committed using digital technology e.g. hacking, spyware.
Cyber-enabled abuse is ‘traditional’ abuse that is enhanced by the use of technology e.g. Cyberstalking, or online fraud like catfishing.

You can find out more about Violence Against Women and Girls and Safeguarding related terminology via our Glossary.

Glossary

The Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC) was recently successful in gaining some additional funding from the Ministry of Justice. Part of this funding went towards commissioning The Cyber Helpline to deliver training for some of South Wales’s frontline staff working to support victim-survivors of Violence Against Women and Girls, including Independent Domestic Abuse Advisors (IDVAs), and Independent Stalking Advocacy Caseworkers (ISACs). We welcomed 30 individuals across different organisations to receive specialist, bespoke training on supporting victim-survivors of cyberstalking and technology facilitated abuse.

During the insightful training session, attendees were able to learn and ask about different types of cyber-enabled and cyber-dependent abuse, how victim-survivors can be supported by professionals, how we can safeguard ourselves online, and about The Cyber Helpline’s Cyberstalking Action Plan.

The Cyber Helpline provides expert help to professionals like IDVAs, and ISACs as well as police officers and victims of cybercrime, digital fraud and online harm across the UK. It operates via a free and confidential helpline and chatbot, publishes in-depth guidance, and promotes multi-agency working. You can access The Cyber Helpline by clicking the button below or following the link at the bottom of this article.

“This session was designed to build awareness of cyberstalking and technology-facilitated abuse, and to support informed, victim-survivor-focused responses to these forms of harm. With the need for greater understanding of these harms continuing to grow, we are grateful to the South Wales Police and Crime Commissioner for inviting us to deliver this training. It was a privilege to deliver our training to the IDVA, ISAC, and policing teams.” – The Cyber Helpline

The Cyber Helpline (External)

“Cyber-stalking reaches into every part of a person’s life, often leaving victims feeling isolated and unsafe. By bringing together South Wales Police and support services across our region, we can ensure we protect victims more effectively and hold perpetrators to account.” – South Wales Police and Crime Commissioner, Emma Wools

Project Athena

With support from the OPCC, South Wales Police launched Project Athena in February 2026. Project Athena is an easy–to-digest guidance document that aims to raise awareness of the methods used by offenders of Cyberstalking & Harassment and provide thorough guidance for victims, professionals, and the Police on the same topic. The guidance includes detailed steps that can be taken by individuals to safeguard themselves online, and when using personal technology/online applications. It covers both cyber-dependent, and cyber-enabled crime/abuse, and is broken down by category e.g., social media, mobile phones, and smart home technology. You can access the guidance by clicking the button above or following the link below.

You can read Project Athena, Cyberstalking and Harassment Guidance here: Project Athena Cyberstalking and Harassment Guidance – South Wales Police and Crime Commissioner

You can find out more about The Cyber Helpline and their Cyberstalking Action Plan here: Cyberstalking Action Plan — The Cyber Helpline

You can read the Police, Crime, and Justice Plan here: Police, Crime & Justice Plan 2025-29 – South Wales Police and Crime Commissioner

You can read the Children and Young Person’s Police, Crime, and Justice Plan here: Children and Young People’s Police, Crime and Justice Plan – South Wales Police and Crime Commissioner

Victims Directory

If you or someone you know has been a victim of crime support is available from both national and local support services. Information on these services and how to contact them is available via the Victims Directory.

Victims Directory