May 19th 2024.
Since the release of the Netflix show Baby Reindeer, a hotline for stalking victims has been flooded with calls. Comedian Richard Gadd's series, based on his own real-life experiences with a stalker named Martha, has struck a chord with viewers all around the world. The story follows Gadd as he navigates through a terrifying ordeal, receiving 41,000 disturbing emails, being physically and sexually assaulted, and even having his family threatened by his stalker.
The woman who claims to be the real-life Martha, Scottish lawyer Fiona Harvey, has denied all allegations made against her and has even threatened to take legal action against Gadd and Netflix. Despite her denial, the release of the show has sparked a significant increase in calls to the National Stalking Helpline. Last year, the helpline received 564 calls around this time, but this year, they have received 832, a staggering 47% increase. And from March to April alone, there has been a 26% increase in calls.
Baby Reindeer has quickly become a must-watch show, topping the charts on Netflix within days of its release. Tallulah Belassie-Page, the helpline's policy officer, expressed her satisfaction with the rise in calls, stating that it means more victims are getting the support they need. She also believes that the show has done a great job in bringing awareness to the crime of stalking, particularly for male victims who may not have felt comfortable seeking help before. This increase in awareness is also attributed to the helpline's ongoing campaigning, which started during this year's National Stalking Awareness Week.
One man who was inspired to speak out after watching the show shared his own story of being stalked by a woman while working at a pub. He described the experience as "ruining a good 16 months of his life" and feeling "unbelieved" by those around him. However, seeing Gadd's bravery in dramatizing his own experience has given him a sense of normalcy and made him feel less alone.
Stalking is a prevalent issue, with five million people experiencing it each year in the UK alone. Shockingly, 20% of women and 10% of men will face stalking at some point in their lives, according to British Crime Survey statistics. In a recent interview with Piers Morgan on his Uncensored show, Harvey denied all accusations made against her, including stalking, sexual assault, and attacking Gadd's girlfriend. She also claimed to have received death threats after her identity was revealed by online sleuths. Harvey went on to say that Gadd was "obsessed" with her and labeled his series as "sick" and "misogynistic."
Baby Reindeer is currently streaming on Netflix, and its impact has been far-reaching, with many viewers coming forward to share their own experiences with stalking. If you have a story to share, the entertainment team at The Agency would love to hear from you. You can contact them through email, by calling 020 3615 2145, or by visiting their Submit Stuff page. Let's continue to raise awareness and support those affected by this terrifying crime.
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