New Measures Signal Progress for Stalking Victims in the UK

 

The Home Office has introduced new guidance aimed at strengthening protections for stalking victim-survivors in England and Wales. Under the updated measures, police will be required to inform individuals if they uncover the identity of a stalker, including those operating anonymously online. Additionally, stalking protection orders will be toughened to prevent convicted stalkers from contacting their victims while in prison.

Stalking is a traumatic and dangerous crime that profoundly impacts the safety and well-being of those affected. Our data reveals that over 70% of cybercrime victims report a 'very high' impact on their mental health and day-to-day lives, and 85% of cyberstalking victims seeking support from The Cyber Helpline feel less physically safe. This highlights the profound toll stalking takes on its victims.

The new measures introduced by the Home Office are a welcome step forward in addressing these challenges. Over 15% of our service users experiencing stalking are unaware of their perpetrator's identity—a figure likely even higher due to technology enabling individuals to obscure their identities. For many victim-survivors of cyberstalking, the constant presence of an unknown stalker creates an overwhelming sense of terror, often accompanied by fears of potential escalation to physical harm.

Clarity about a perpetrator’s identity is a crucial step that empowers victims and those supporting them to assess risks effectively, establish informed safety planning, and take appropriate actions both online and offline. This is particularly vital for those who feel trapped by the anonymity that technology provides to perpetrators.

Building on this, the expanded use of Stalking Protection Orders (SPOs) is a key element of these changes, offering much-needed peace of mind to victims while enabling police to monitor perpetrators more effectively. When combined with proposed improvements to perpetrator programs and the publication of detailed stalking offence data by the Home Office, these measures form a more comprehensive and robust strategy that we hope will significantly enhance responses to stalking and safeguarding.

While these measures are an important step forward, much more needs to be done. Our latest report reveals that only 42.31% of those experiencing stalking and harassment report the crime, and just 1.44% receive formal justice. This underscores the need for continued advancements and advocacy to ensure a more effective response to stalking.

 

If you're moved to lend your support to victims of cyberstalking, please consider making a donation today.

Every contribution helps our organisation provide crucial resources, assistance, and advocacy to those navigating the complexities of cyberstalking, offering hope and empowerment in the face of adversity. 

Your generosity can make a tangible difference in the lives of those affected.

 
 
 
NewsGuest UserCyberstalking