Hampshire Police and Crime Commissioner Donna Jones launches Stalking Advocacy and Support Service as part of Stop Domestic Abuse programme to coincide with National Stalking Awareness Week

Stalking is on the rise in Hampshire, according to the police.

Some 3,221 stalking offences were reported to the force between 1st April 2022 and 31st March 2023.

That figure represents a 37.5% leap on the 2,342 stalking offences reported just two years earlier between 1st April 2020 and 31st March 2021.

In response, Police and Crime Commissioner Donna Jones has commissioned the new Stalking Advocacy and Support Service to provide “independent and specialist support” to stalking victims.

The new £130,000 per year service is being provided as part of the Stop Domestic Abuse programme from 1st July 2023 to 31st March 2026, with the option for the scheme to be extended for a further two years.

The service’s launch coincided with National Stalking Awareness Week, from 24th to 28th April, with the focus this year being on stalking among young people.

Police and crime commissioner Donna Jones said: “Stalking is one of the most impactful crimes a victim can be subjected to. In the most serious cases, it can lead to serious violence, harm and homicides.

“Victims’ lives are often pulled apart by stalking behaviours from ex partners, colleagues and from strangers. This is why 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.

“This new stalking advocacy and support service will complement existing provision and provide professional consultancy and support to other organisations who are working with victims where stalking behaviours are part of the abuse they have experienced.”

Stop Domestic Abuse’s chief executive Claire Lambon said: “We are looking forward to working in partnership with the Commissioner and our other partners to improve outcomes for victims of stalking and harassment.

“Our team of Stalking Advocates will provide specialist support to all victims of stalking, helping them to improve their personal and cyber safety, to support their mental health, and to access the additional specialist support services they need.

“We will help stalking victims speak out about their experiences and seek justice, and we will work with other professionals to increase community understanding of the complex issue of stalking and the vulnerability of stalking victims.”

Hampshire’s lead stalking officer DCI David West said: “Policing must make sure victims of stalking feel empowered by keeping their voice at the forefront of the criminal justice system.

“Victim advocacy support provided by services such as Stop Domestic Abuse are essential to achieving this and are enormously powerful for building the trust and confidence in policing and the wider criminal justice system. They are critical safeguarding partners in our response to Stalking.

“We are really looking forward to working together with Stop Domestic Abuse alongside other partners as part of our multi-agency response to protect victims and bring more offenders to justice.”

If you or someone you know is experiencing stalking and need help, you can contact Aurora New Dawn up until June 30, 2023. Contact Aurora New Dawn on 02392 479254 or at stalking@aurorand.org.uk