The study found in the majority of  stalking and harassment cases, perpetrators were known to them.

The first ever Irish study of stalking and harassment has found half of victims did not go to Gardaí.

It was down to a fear of not being believed or taken seriously, and lack of trust in the Gardaí.

More than 1,000 participants responded to the survey.

44 per cent say they’d been threatened with physical harm, along with reports of the perpetrator threatening to harm themselves around the person they where stalking.

Only 42 per cent reported it to Gardai and found their experiences were more negative than positive.

The report also revealed in the majority of cases perpetrators were known to them.

The research was conducted by UCC and the Sexual Violence Centre Cork.

The report makes ten recommendations, including the need for an information campaign on stalking and harassment, improvements in Garda training, and changes to the proposed new wording of stalking offences.

Those being stalked also said being pictured or recorded without consent was common.

Inappropriate texts, WhatsApps, or emails were the most common forms of malicious communications identified by respondents.

While changing routes from home or school and giving up social activities were the most common social impacts mentioned.