THE Southend, Essex, and Thurrock Domestic Abuse Board (SETDAB) is collaborating with the Suzy Lamplugh Trust to support National Stalking Awareness Week, taking place from April 22 to 25. This campaign is aimed at raising awareness about stalking and its effects on victims, their families, and communities.
This year’s theme, “Health Response: Spotting Stalking,” emphasises the important role healthcare providers play in identifying and supporting victims of stalking. The focus is on training healthcare professionals to recognise the signs of stalking and ensuring victims receive the necessary support and resources.
Stalking is when someone repeatedly behaves in a way that makes you feel scared distressed or threatened. It can take various forms, from unwanted gifts and messages to surveillance and physical following.
Recent data from Essex Police reveals 16,688 incidents of stalking and harassment recorded in the 12-month period ending October 2024. National statistics further highlight the gravity of the situation, with one in seven individuals aged 16 and over in England and Wales having experienced stalking at least once.
There has been an increase in digital and cyber stalking, where perpetrators use technology to monitor and harass their victims. This includes tracking someone’s online activity, using spyware, and sending threatening messages. Smart devices, encompass a wide range of internet-connected and enabled devices, from doorbells to car trackers, smart devices are everywhere, making our lives easier. But there’s a dark side. These internet-connected gadgets can be misused to stalk or eavesdrop on victims of abuse, or even to harass them.
Latest data shows that younger people are more likely to be victims of stalking. This demographic is particularly vulnerable due to their high usage of social media and other digital platforms. The Online Safety Act 2023 makes the use of social media and messaging platforms to send threats a crime.
So what are we doing in Essex?
Home Office Funding has enabled SETDAB to actively work to protect victims of stalking and domestic abuse. This funding supports various projects across Essex designed to target perpetrators of stalking and domestic abuse, helping them change their behaviour before it escalates.
The funding has been used to pilot new approaches, such as early intervention for first-time offenders and mentoring programs like the Goodman and Sisters in Strength projects, which educate young people on healthy relationships and provide support to those affected by abusive behaviour. These programs aim to break the cycle of abuse and reduce harm.
Continued grant funding means Independent Stalking Advocacy Caseworkers (ISACs) can continue to support victims across Essex. ISAC’s play a crucial role in supporting victims of stalking, safely guiding them through the criminal justice system and using their specialist knowledge to help victims understand their rights.
Jane Gardner, Deputy Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner and SETDAB Chair said “It’s vital to support victims of stalking across Essex. Independent Stalking Advocacy Caseworkers (ISACs) are essential in providing the specialised support that victims need. These dedicated professionals are at the heart of our broader strategy to protect victims and prevent stalking and domestic abuse in our community.”
‘Right to Know’ statutory guidance
The uncertainty of not knowing an online stalker’s identity can be deeply unsettling, leaving victims unsure if the offender is someone they know. New measures introduced by the Home Office, under the ‘Right to Know’ statutory guidance, empower the police to disclose the identity of an online stalker at the earliest opportunity, providing greater protection for victims of online stalking.
Stalking Protection Order (SPO)
A Stalking Protection Order (SPO) is a civil order, which is to protect victims of stalking. These orders can ban stalkers from going within a certain distance of their victims or contacting them in any form.
Currently, Stalking Protection Orders can only be made by the courts if the police apply for them. Under new measures, courts will be given the power to impose Stalking Protection Orders directly at conviction – or even on acquittal if there is enough evidence to suggest that they are still a risk to the victim. This will help stop, for example, offenders from contacting their victims from prison.
If you need more information or support, organisations like Compass, Essex Police and SETDAB, can provide assistance.
If you are affected by issues raised in this article, there is help available from your local domestic abuse service Essex Compass, call 0330 333 7 444.
If you are in immediate danger, always call 999.
