Understanding Why We Stopped You
You may have arrived on this page after being spoken to by police officers as part of Project Vigilant.
Project Vigilant is an initiative used by the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) to help identify and challenge behaviours that can make women and girls feel unsafe in public spaces.
Officers may engage with individuals whose behaviour has caused concern, even where no criminal offence has been committed. This can include behaviour that appears intrusive, intimidating, persistent, sexually motivated or predatory.
The purpose of these interactions is not simply enforcement. It is also about prevention. Sometimes people engage in behaviours without fully considering how they are perceived or the impact they may have on others. In other cases, individuals may recognise concerning thoughts, urges or patterns of behaviour in themselves and want support to change.
If you have been directed to this page, we encourage you to take some time to reflect honestly on your behaviour and consider whether there are changes you would like to make.
Why This Matters
Women and girls have the right to feel safe in public spaces.
Behaviour that may seem harmless to one person can feel threatening, intimidating or frightening to someone else. Repeatedly approaching strangers, following people, persistently seeking attention after rejection, making sexual comments, monitoring someone’s movements or deliberately placing yourself in situations where others feel uncomfortable can have a significant impact.
Taking responsibility for your behaviour is an important first step.
Change Is Possible
Recognising that your behaviour may be causing concern does not mean you are beyond help.
Many people seek support because they are worried about their thoughts, behaviours, relationships or sexual interests. Early intervention can prevent harm to others and help you build healthier relationships, stronger self-control and greater understanding of boundaries and consent.
Seeking help is a sign of responsibility, not weakness.
Questions to Ask Yourself
- Have I ever continued to pursue someone’s attention after they appeared uncomfortable or uninterested?
- Have I followed, monitored or repeatedly approached someone without their consent?
- Do I find myself becoming preoccupied with particular individuals?
- Have my behaviours ever caused someone to feel frightened, intimidated or unsafe?
- Do I struggle to recognise or respect personal boundaries?
- Am I concerned about my thoughts, urges or behaviours towards others?
If any of these questions resonate with you, support is available.
Where to Start
Understanding Healthy Boundaries
Learning about personal boundaries, respect and consent is an important starting point.
Read:
- Understanding Consent
- Respectful Relationships
- Healthy Boundaries
- Recognising Harmful Behaviour
Understanding Your Behaviour
Many people benefit from taking time to understand the thinking patterns that contribute to problematic behaviour.
Read:
- Why Do People Cross Boundaries?
- Challenging Unhelpful Thinking
- Taking Responsibility for Change
- Understanding Entitlement and Rejection
If You Are Concerned About Sexual Thoughts or Behaviour
If you are worried about sexual thoughts, fantasies or behaviours that could place others at risk, it is important to seek support early.
Read:
- Concerned About Your Sexual Thoughts?
- Getting Help Before Someone Is Harmed
- Managing Risky Thoughts and Behaviours
- Developing Safer Coping Strategies
Looking for Support
Making positive changes often requires support.
You may wish to:
- Speak to a trusted professional.
- Access counselling or therapeutic support via your GP service.
- Engage with educational resources on consent and healthy relationships.
- Continue exploring the resources available throughout this website.
Taking the Next Step
The fact that you are reading this page suggests an opportunity for reflection.
Nobody can change the past, but everyone can make choices about what they do next.