The Police and Crime Commissioner, Donna Jones, has announced the start of a new contract that is providing independent and specialist support to stalking victims.
The Stalking Advocacy and Support Service, run by Stop Domestic Abuse, began on 1st July 2023. It will run until 31st March 2026, with the option to extend for up to a further 2 years. The PCC commissioned the service, with funding of £130K per year, as part of her commitment to overhaul the stalking and harassment services across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.
The majority of stalking offences are committed by a former partner, perpetrators are predominantly male aged between 18 and 32 years old, and victims are typically women and girls.
Evidence also shows that stalking is increasing across the 2 counties.
From 1st April 2021 to 31st March 2022, there was a rise of 36% on the number of stalking offences reported compared to the previous time period. More recently, for 1st April 2022 to 31st March 2023 a total of 3,221 stalking offences were reported which is also a slight rise on the previous year.
PCC Donna Jones has said:
“I am committed to ensuring that we have the right support across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight for victims but importantly also to prevent these dangerous behaviours by using intensive interventions with perpetrators.
“Stop Domestic Abuse already provides specialist support and protects victims and survivors of domestic abuse where stalking has been a part of the abuse, and this funding enables them to extend that advocacy and support to all victims of stalking, irrespective of whether the perpetrator is known to them or not.”
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DCI David West is the Force Stalking Lead for Hampshire & Isle Of Wight Constabulary. He says:
“Stalking is a pattern of fixated and obsessive behaviour which is repeated and unwanted, causing victims to fear violence or otherwise suffer alarm and distress. It is a dreadful and dangerous crime.
“Unfortunately, stalking remains an under-reported crime in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. That’s why policing must make sure victims of stalking feel empowered, by keeping their voice at the forefront of the criminal justice system whilst relentlessly pursuing perpetrators and bringing more offenders to justice.”
For advice, help and information call the Stop Domestic Abuse helpline on 0330 0533 630, email [email protected] or visit www.stopdomesticabuse.uk/stalking.
So we don’t need a new support for feral brat victims and low life scum on the Isle of Wight then?
What a waste of time and money for this when there’s old farts getting there peckers out at people
Kev where’s Bev
What a waste of time and money for this when there’s old farts getting there peckers out at people
Do me a favour really do you have to copy old fart