16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence

Veritas Justice takes part in this campaign because stalking is a form of gender-based violence as women are more likely to be stalked than men; 1 in 5 women will be stalked at some point in their lifetime. Stalking is still misunderstood and under-reported crime but increases in campaigning and the training of front-line services are addressing the issues and more and more reports are being made.

In January 2020, Stalking Protection Orders (SPOs) were introduced in England & Wales to further protect victims of stalking. This new civil order allowed for greater control and thus greater protection; it’s intended to prevent a person from carrying out acts associated with stalking. SPOs are an additional tool for police, which intend to complement the existing legislation and promote early interventions when the defendant’s behaviour suggests stalking is occurring, but a police investigation is ongoing. Although a civil order, the criminal standard of proof will be applied. However, the breach of an order is a criminal offence carrying up to a 5-year custodial sentence. Sussex Police were the first force to successfully issue an SPO within days of the announcement and, to date, Sussex has the highest number of SPOs granted across the country.

Stalking behaviour can often be identified within the workplace environment.

This may manifest itself in one of many ways, for example:

• Clients stalking staff
• Staff stalking co-workers
• Clients stalking other clients
• Stalking outside work which then comes to the workplace as it escalates

If someone you work with is afraid because of another person’s behaviour, it may be stalking.

The perpetrator may be:

• Following, loitering or appearing near their place of work
• Contacting, harassing or stalking colleagues
• Engaging other people to assist in contacting the victim, perhaps unsuspecting colleagues

Cyber-enabled Stalking

We know that stalkers are still stalking during the COVID-19 pandemic, with intermittent lockdown measures, varying national tier levels and much reduced general contact. Our clients are telling us that their homes are not the places of safety and solace that many of us enjoy.

We have already seen a 75% increase in cyber and online stalking activity, which is currently the most common form of human interaction. Sadly, the negative impact of this form of fixated, obsessed and unwanted communication is still not fully appreciated by many.

Find out more about what to do if someone you know is being stalked by clicking here.

Veritas Justice is one of the services listed on Safe Space Sussex providing access to support for people when they are at their most vulnerable safespacesussex.org.uk