On 28th February, our Director of Community Development, Carl Hall, took the stage at the Tackling Stalking conference to present a pioneering approach to reducing stalking behaviours through targeted intervention. At the heart of this work is the Compulsive and Obsessive Behaviour Intervention (COBI) – a programme designed to address the root causes of stalking and offer perpetrators a structured pathway to change.

Stalking is not just about persistent unwanted contact; it is often driven by deeply ingrained cognitive distortions, obsessive thought patterns, and poor emotional regulation. COBI, delivered by colleagues in our Behaviour Change Practice, applies Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) to challenge these harmful behaviours at their core. By working directly with people identified as stalkers, the programme offers a risk-informed, therapeutic intervention that focuses on long-term behavioural transformation rather than short-term compliance.

How COBI Works

COBI is not about excusing behaviour – it’s about changing it. The programme tackles stalking at multiple levels:

• Rewiring Thought Patterns – Stalking often stems from obsessive and irrational beliefs, such as a mistaken sense of entitlement or an inability to accept rejection. COBI helps participants recognise and reframe these distortions, replacing them with healthier, reality-based thinking.
• Building Emotional Control – Many people who engage in stalking struggle with intense emotions like jealousy, fixation, or anger, which drive their actions. COBI provides emotional regulation techniques that equip participants with the tools to manage distressing feelings without resorting to harmful behaviours.
• Developing Healthy Social Skills – Stalking often results from poor interpersonal boundaries and ineffective communication. COBI teaches participants how to navigate relationships more appropriately, respect personal space, and establish boundaries that prevent harmful interactions.

Does It Work?

The early results are promising and powerful. Initial evaluations show reduced risk of harm and participants who report greater ability to control and regulate their emotions. Data from police corroborates participants’ self-report data with reduced risk of harm and contact with the criminal justice system.

With stalking and harassment posing an ever-growing risk, it is vital that we supplement punitive and compliance measures and invest in programmes that promote sustained change. By addressing the drivers of stalking behaviour, COBI helps break the cycle of harm and build safer communities for victims and perpetrators alike.

What’s Next?

COBI represents a crucial step in rethinking how we tackle stalking – not just through enforcement, but through prevention and rehabilitation. As we continue to refine and expand this intervention, the question remains: Are we doing enough to change the behaviour of those who stalk? If we are serious about ending stalking, behaviour change must be part of the solution.