At the end of July 2026, Dr Shonagh Dillon will be stepping down as CEO of Aurora New Dawn. Our current Deputy CEO, Zoë Jackson, will be taking up the position of Chief Executive Officer. Read statements from Shonagh, Zoë, and our Chair of Trustees Kate Wood below as we enter this new chapter.

A statement from Kate Wood

“On behalf of the Board of Trustees, I would like to announce that, after fifteen and a half years as Chief Executive Officer of Aurora New Dawn, Dr Shonagh Dillon will be stepping down from her role at the end of July 2026.

As the organisation’s founder CEO, Shonagh has played a truly pivotal role in shaping Aurora from its inception into the highly respected, specialist violence against women and girls (VAWG) charity it is today. Under her leadership, the organisation has grown in both reach and impact, developing innovative services, strengthening partnerships across the sector, and becoming a trusted voice for victims and survivors. Her expertise, vision, and unwavering commitment have been instrumental in establishing Aurora’s strong reputation and delivering meaningful, lasting change. The Board wishes to place on record its deep gratitude for her extraordinary contribution and dedication over the years.

We are delighted to confirm that Zoë Jackson will be taking up the position of Chief Executive Officer. Zoë has been a central part of Aurora’s leadership from the very beginning, contributing significantly to its development and success. She brings a wealth of experience, compassion, and strategic insight, alongside a deep understanding of the organisation’s values and mission. The Board has full confidence in Zoë’s ability to lead Aurora into its next chapter, ensuring continuity for our staff and partners, and – most importantly – the victims and survivors we exist to support.

While Shonagh will be stepping down from her role as CEO, her influence and legacy will remain deeply embedded within Aurora. The foundations she has built will continue to guide the organisation’s work for years to come. We are pleased that she will remain engaged within the wider sector, and we wish her every success in this next phase of her career.

The Board looks forward to working closely with Zoë as she steps into this leadership role, and to supporting the continued strength, stability, and development of Aurora New Dawn as it builds on its strong foundations and continues to deliver vital services to those who need them most.”

A statement from Shonagh Dillon 

“After fifteen and a half years as Chief Executive Officer at Aurora New Dawn, the time has come for me to move on. As a founder CEO, it feels bittersweet to be leaving this role. A part of me will always feel tied to the organisation, but what sits above everything else is pride – pride that the work continues, and that it continues with my friend and colleague, Zoë, at the helm.

Leading a specialist independent charity in the VAWG sector has involved its fair share of stress, challenge, and difficult moments, but there have also been more positives than I could ever count. I won’t bore you all with a long list of thanks – there are simply too many – but I am deeply grateful to everyone who has supported Aurora over the years. I have had the privilege of working with an extraordinary team and dedicated trustees, and I know the organisation is in safe hands.

Most of all, I am proud to have been part of something that supports victims and survivors. I hope that my contribution to the frontline sector over the last 30 + years has made some difference. While I’m not leaving the sector altogether, my frontline days are now behind me. I have immense respect for the women of the movement who continue to carry the baton forward. The work is far from easy, but it is undoubtedly one of the most rewarding jobs you can do – and that is entirely because of victims and survivors, their families, and their loved ones – who make this work so valuable.”

A statement from Zoë Jackson

“I feel incredibly privileged to be taking on the role of CEO at Aurora New Dawn and to be continuing the vital and impactful work that Shonagh has led for so many years. 

I am grateful to Shonagh for her continual support, guidance and friendship. Her contribution to both Aurora and the wider sector has been significant, and we wish her all the very best for the future. 

My focus going forward will be on maintaining the high-quality, values-driven services we’re known for and making sure victims and survivors remain at the centre of everything we do. I’m lucky to work with a brilliant, dedicated staff team who consistently go above and beyond for the people we support. Their commitment, along with the support of our trustees and partners, is what makes our work possible. I’m looking forward to continuing to work alongside them as we move into this next chapter.”

We’re excited to announce that we’re looking for a new Director of Armed Forces Services to join the Aurora New Dawn team.

Veteran? Senior Leader? Want to influence change at a national level?

We’re seeking a Director of Armed Forces Services — a pivotal role for a veteran ready to lead national innovation in the response to domestic abuse, sexual violence and stalking across the Armed Forces community. If you’ve served in the Army, Royal Navy or RAF and want to use your experience to shape policy, strengthen support for personnel and families, and help influence national thinking in this area, we want to hear from you. You do not need charity-sector experience for this role. Your lived military insight, strategic mindset and leadership experience are what matter most.

Aurora New Dawn has a nationally recognised Armed Forces service, named in The UK Government’s Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy (2025). As our reach continues to grow, this new role will consolidate and strategically expand our impact. 

As Director of Armed Forces Services, you will:

• Provide strategic leadership for a nationally recognised Armed Forces service
• Work directly with key stakeholders across the service landscape
• Drive innovation, developing new models of support across the UK
• Lead Aurora’s contribution to policy, research and national thought leadership
• Build and sustain strategic partnerships that strengthen protection for serving personnel, veterans and families
• Ensure our services are survivor-centred, trauma-informed and grounded in an understanding of Armed Forces culture

We are looking for someone who:

• Has served in the Army, Royal Navy or Royal Air Force
• Understands Armed Forces culture, structures and lived realities
• Can influence confidently at senior levels
• Is motivated by leading meaningful, values-driven and nationally significant work
• Thrives in roles that involve innovation, system change and building partnerships
• Brings emotional intelligence, integrity and a commitment to safeguarding

If you’ve ever shaped policy, led units or teams, driven cultural change, or worked on welfare/safeguarding initiatives, your experience is highly transferable.

Start dates are flexible. We understand that transitioning from service/resettlement can take time, and we welcome applicants with longer notice periods. 

Why join Aurora?

• Nationally influential work with real-world impact
• Highly supportive senior leadership team
• Flexibility, hybrid working and strong wellbeing culture
• Ongoing leadership development
• Opportunity to shape a groundbreaking, nationally recognised Armed Forces service

This is a rolling recruitment with no application deadline – we are keen to find an exceptional veteran for this important role and will appoint the first candidate that fits the criteria. Full details of the role can be found here.

When you’re offline you still need to consider things that can prevent stalking and help keep you safe.

Changing daily habits can help.

Changing your routine, times, and locations so you’re not predictable to anyone else.

For example if you always go to the same gym class, swim sessions maybe try to change this up so it’s not predictable to others. 

When walking on your own try to stay in a well-lit public area. Change the route up so you’re not always doing the same route.

Sometimes times and routes can be unavoidable due to work commitments so try check in with friends and family, share your locations with them so they are aware of where you are. 

Staying alert in public will help you, try to not have music on too loud and be aware of your surroundings. 

If you feel like someone is following you, go to a public area, somewhere busy with shops, cafes. 

If you do notice you’re being stalked, keep a log of incidents, including times, dates, locations, what has happened, and how it has impacted you. Tell people you trust and report to 101 or 999 in an emergency. Do not engage with them. 

Always trusts your instincts, if you feel unsure about someone or something feels off, make sure you stay or get in a safe place. Tell someone either around you or a friend or family on your phone. It’s always better to be cautious than dismiss a risk.

Use target hardening measures in the home to improve security. Things like a video door bell, CCTV cameras, and security alarms can help to improve safety and capture evidence.  

We’ve all heard the saying, “A picture paints a thousand words.” But in the age of social media, a single photo can reveal far more than we realise. While images help us connect, share memories, and express ourselves, they can also unintentionally give away sensitive information—information that the wrong person could easily exploit.

So, what story are your photos telling?

What Your Photos Reveal Without You Noticing

When you upload an image, you might be sharing much more than smiles and scenery. Look closely and you’ll often find little clues—breadcrumbs that, when pieced together, can paint a detailed picture of your life. For example, a simple photo could reveal:

• Your location
• Your car registration number
• Your house number
• Your date of birth
• Your favourite café or gym
• Your child’s school uniform logo
• Your pet’s names
• Your daily running route

Individually, these might seem harmless. But together, they can create opportunities for someone to exploit.

How This Information Can Be Used Against You

It’s uncomfortable to think about, but important to understand. Personal details shared online could be used for:

• Unexpected “coincidental” meetings at places you frequent
• Subscription fraud, where services are taken out in your name
• Parcel scams or bogus deliveries to your home
• Vehicle tracking through identifiable features
• Password guessing, especially if your security answers relate to pets, schools, or birthdates

The goal isn’t to scare you—but to empower you. Awareness gives you control.

How to Protect Yourself Online

Staying safe on social media doesn’t mean disappearing from it altogether. It simply means being intentional and mindful about what you share. Here are practical ways to protect your privacy:

✅ Think Before You Post

Ask yourself: What information does this photo or status reveal? Does anyone actually need to know it? Could it be misused?

✅ Don’t Accept Requests From Strangers

Only connect with people you genuinely know and trust.

✅ Avoid Sharing Personal Details

This includes your address, date of birth, phone number, school locations, or travel routines.

✅ Turn Off Live Locations & Geotagging

Posting your exact location in real time can put you at risk.

✅ Share Photos After the Event

Upload your content the following day—not while you’re still in the place shown.

✅ Hide Identifiable Information

Check photos for house numbers, street signs, bank cards, uniform logos, and car plates.

✅ Be Wary of Quizzes & Games

Those “fun quizzes” often collect personal data that can be used for phishing or password guessing.

✅ Limit Your Audience

Switch your posts to “Friends Only” and use privacy or “ghost mode” features where possible.

✅ Review & Update Your Settings Regularly

Social platforms update their policies often—keep your settings tight.

✅ Use Strong Passwords & 2FA

Two-factor authentication adds a vital extra layer of protection.

Final Thoughts

You don’t have to stop sharing your life online—you just need to share it safely. A little care goes a long way in keeping your identity, your home, and your loved ones secure. The digital world can be a brilliant place, as long as we stay aware of what our pictures (and posts) might be saying on our behalf.

As part of National Stalking Awareness Week, it is important to recognize the link between stalking serious harm, including homicide, and how this can present within the Armed Forces community.

Stalking is not a one-off incident, but a pattern of behavior over time. Research and domestic homicide reviews consistently show that stalking is often present in the lead-up to the killing of women, particularly by current of former partners. Recognising stalking behaviours early is therefore critical in identifying and responding to risk.

Within the Armed Forces community, specific factors such as deployments, relocations, and job roles can shape how stalking behaviours present. These circumstances can create opportunities for perpetrators to monitor behavior and exert control from a distance, particularly through the use of technology.

At Aurora New Dawn, we have seen how digital tools can be used as part of stalking behaviours. Shared accounts, access to devices, and remote monitoring can allow perpetrators to track movements, access communities, and maintain a sense of proximity even when physically absent. In some cases, technical knowledge linked to Armed Forces roles can be used to heighten this control, creating an environment where victims feel that their privacy is constantly at risk.

Technology within the home, such as cameras, doorbells, and CCTV, can provide reassurance. However, these tools can also be used to monitor and question a person’s movements, contributing to a wider pattern of surveillance and control. When viewed in isolation, these behaviours may appear low-level, but as part of a pattern. They can indicate escalating risk.

Digital stalking can be persistent and intrusive, contributing to an ongoing sense of fear and loss of control. This is particularly significant when considered alongside the established link between stalking and serious harm. Where stalking behaviours are present, it is essential that they are recognised and responded to appropriately, rather than minimized. During National Stalking Awareness Week, we want to highlight that stalking can take many forms, including through digital means, and that it should always be taken seriously. Understanding the patterns of stalking, particularly within the context of Armed Forces life, is key to identifying risk and preventing harm.

At Aurora New Dawn, we provide confidential, independent, specialist support for anyone in the Armed Forces community experiencing stalking. If you or someone you know is affected, support is available.

When women are killed by men, particularly by current or former partners, there is often a history that precedes the final act of violence. These histories are not random, and they are rarely without warning signs. One of the most significant, and most consistently identified, is stalking. 

During National Stalking Awareness Week, it is important to recognise the role stalking can play in the lead-up to femicide. While not all stalking behaviour will escalate to this level, evidence from domestic homicide reviews and research continues to show a clear and repeated pattern: stalking is frequently present before a woman is killed. 

These behaviours may not always be recognises for what they represent. Repeated contact, monitoring movements, attending locations uninvited, or refusing to respect boundaries can be interpreted as persistence or emotional distress following a relationship breakdown. In some cases, they are minimised or viewed in isolation. However, when understood in the context of femicide, these behaviours can indicate something far more serious like an ongoing attempt to maintain control, proximity, and access. 

Femicide does not usually occur without context. It often follows a period of escalating behaviour, where boundaries are repeatedly challenged and risk increases over time. Stalking can form part of this escalation, particularly where the behaviour is persistent and resistant to intervention. 

For those experiencing it, the impact is significant. It can create a sustained sense of fear and uncertainty, affecting daily life and decision-making. Many individuals take steps to reduce risk like changing routines or seeking support, yet the behaviour may continue. This persistence is one of the factors that makes stalking such an important indicator of potential harm. 

Despite this, stalking is still not always recognised or responded to as a marker of high risk. When behaviours are considered individually, rather than as part of a pattern, opportunities for early intervention can be missed. This can mean that individuals are left managing ongoing risk without the level or response that the situation requires. 

A greater awareness of the link between stalking and femicide is essential. Recognising stalking as a potential indicator of escalating risk allows for a more informed and proactive response. It supports earlier intervention, more accurate risk assessment, and a stronger understanding of the lived reality for those affected. 

Understanding the link between stalking and femicide is not about creating alarm, but about recognising risk. When these patterns are taken seriously, there is greater opportunity to intervene, to support, and to prevent harm. 

At Aurora New Dawn, we work with individuals who are experiencing stalking and understand the complexity of these situations. We see the impact not only in moments of crisis, but in ongoing management of safety and wellbeing. Our approach is grounded in recognising patterns of behaviour, understanding risk, and supporting individuals in a way that prioritises their safety, autonomy, and choice. 

If you are experiencing stalking, or are concerned about someone else, support is available. 

It is universally accepted that stalking is a high-risk precursor to domestic-related homicide.

Being present in 94% cases: Stalking features in multiple stages of the DA homicide timeline, as part of control, surveillance, escalation, intimidation, and planning for the final act. And yet stalking is a widely misunderstood and underestimated crime, wrongly perceived as ‘romantic’’.

Professionals, particularly law enforcement, often fail to recognise stalking and the connection to homicide due to lack of knowledge and understanding of the true nature of stalking, described by many as ‘murder in slow motion’. Professionals often focus on individual incidents rather than acknowledging the persistent and cumulative, damaging impact of the behaviours. They are not seeing the bigger picture, instead dealing with conduct as isolated incidents of malicious communication, criminal damage, or harassment. The context and motivation of fixation and obsession is being missed. Frequently the fact that violence has not been used or threatened leads some to view the incidents as ‘low level’ or ‘minor’ which could not be further from the truth. The onus is put on victims to manage their risk by changing their own behaviours and routines, rather than putting that expectation firmly with the perpetrator where it belongs. 

The fact there is no national approach to stalking means that every police force does it differently and few are using domestic abuse and stalking screening tools properly to identify the high-risk markers. This could not be more apparent than in the case of twenty-year-old Hollie Gazzard who was brutally murdered by her ex-partner, Asher Maslin, in 2014. Maslin had a significant history of violence towards multiple partners before Hollie, and when she ended their intense relationship, he began to stalk her. She reported his behaviour to police three times before he stabbed her multiple times in the salon where she worked. On the first occasion Maslin was captured on cctv grabbing Hollie around the neck. No action was taken when she did not press charges, and the officers completed their risk assessment once back at the station, missing vital information which would have identified the risk he posed to her. As Hollie made further reports to Police, they did not identify the emerging course of conduct and instead homed in on the allegation that he had taken her bank card and stolen money from her account. This ultimately contributed to her death and Gloucestershire police were criticised by the Police watchdog for their handling of the case. 

It is essential that professionals understand the gravity of stalking – because by correctly recognising the conduct as stalking and identifying the high-risk factors, they can create an opportunity to intervene early and safeguard victims like Hollie. 

When people think of stalking, they often picture a stranger hiding in the shadows, watching from afar with binoculars. At the other end of the spectrum, persistence is sometimes misinterpreted as romantic and determined. However, these two ideas don’t capture the reality of stalking. Stalking often involves someone known to the victim (ex-partner, family member, friends) and begins with repeated, unwanted contact that can escalate over time and lead to serious harm (including homicide)

Early Warning Signs 

Although it can, stalking doesn’t always have to begin with overt threats. It can begin with repeated messaging, excessive calling or persistent attempts to maintain contact after rejection. 

Other early warning signs include

• Turning up uninvited at someone’s home, workplace or social settings
• Sending unwanted gifts
• Monitoring social activities or posting about them
• Ignoring clear boundaries or requests to stop 

While these actions may be framed as affection, they often are driven by fixation and obsession with the victim and reflect their need for control. 

Escalation

As stalking progresses, behaviours can start to become more frequent, intrusive and frightening. This is often triggered by the perpetrator feeling a loss of control. 

At this stage, behaviours may include: 

• Following or surveilling the victim
• Gathering more information or tracking movements 
• Contacting friends, family or coworkers 
• Increasingly intimidating or threatening 
• Using various methods to maintain contact (creating multiple accounts, using different phone numbers, getting other people to contact the victim)

High Risk Indicators

Certain behaviours can be strongly associated with an increased risk of serious harm. These should always be treated as an urgent warning sign. 

High risk indicators include:

• Direct or implied threats to kill 
• Damage to property 
• Breaches in bail conditions or protective orders
• Excessive jealously or possessiveness (for example saying if I can’t have you no one else can)
• A history of domestic abuse of physical violence

The Link to Homicide 

Stalking is a significant risk factor in cases of serious violence. In most of these cases, patterns of stalking behaviours are present prior to the escalation of serious harm or homicide with one study finding at stalking was present in 94% of domestic homicide or attempted murders. 

It is important to note that these incidents are rarely isolated or sudden. They are often an accumulation of behaviours that progress but can often go unrecognised or are not acted upon by authorities. 

As part of National Stalking Awareness Week, we’re busting some myths around stalking. Read below.

‘Stalkers are just harmless admirers’ – This is not true. Stalking is not about love, it’s about control, obsession and a sense of entitlement.

‘Violence comes out of nowhere’ – This is not true. Violence is proceeded by signs such as unwanted contact, threats and intimidation, monitoring and following.

‘You can always tell who will become violent’ – This is not true. There is no obvious ‘type’ what matters are they behaviours such as obsession or fixation.

‘Ignoring someone will make them go away’ – This is not true. Sometimes it can increase the risk, as the stalker feels they have lost control.

‘It’s just harmless obsession’ – This is not true. It is targeting a particular person and being fixated and controlling, this can lead to homicide in high risk cases.

‘Dangerous people are easy to spot’ – This is not true. Many people who commit serious violence appear ordinary. It’s not about appearance is about behaviours.

‘Stalking is just annoying, not dangerous’ – This is not true. Serious crime including homicide are proceeded by stalking behaviours. These could include threats, intimidation, and repeated unwanted contact such as messages or calls.

‘Strangers are the biggest threat’ – This is not true. Most stalking and related homicide are committed by someone the victim knows, quite often a current or ex-partner.

‘If there is no physical violence, it’s not serious’ – This is not true. Stalking often starts without physical behaviours, but show warning signs of potential escalation such as threats, intimidation or repeated unwanted contact.

‘The stalker will eventually give up’ – This is not true. Some stalkers can escalate behaviour when they are ignored. They can become aggressive and more persistent. 

Stalking can be defined as a pattern of repeated and unwanted behaviour directed towards an individual, which causes them fear, distress, or concern for their safety.

Unlike a single incident, stalking involves ongoing actions such as persistent messaging, following someone, monitoring their social media, or appearing uninvited in places they regularly visit. These behaviours may seem minor in isolation, but when they are repeated over time, they can have a serious psychological impact on the victim. In the UK, stalking is recognised as a criminal offence due to the level of harm it can cause and the risk that it may escalate into more serious forms of violence.

This issue is particularly relevant in the context of National Stalking Awareness Week 2026, which places a strong emphasis on the link between stalking and more extreme forms of harm, including homicide. The focus of this year’s campaign is important because it challenges the common misconception that stalking is simply irritating or obsessive behaviour, rather than something dangerous. Research and case studies have shown that stalking is often a precursor to more serious violence, especially in cases involving domestic abuse. This highlights the need to treat stalking as an early warning sign rather than a low-level offence.

A key theme emerging from this year’s awareness week is the importance of early intervention. In many cases, stalking behaviours begin after the breakdown of a relationship, where one individual continues to exert control through unwanted contact or surveillance. These actions are sometimes minimised or misinterpreted as emotional vulnerability; however, they can quickly escalate if not addressed. By recognising these patterns early, there is a greater opportunity for legal and social interventions to take place, potentially preventing more severe outcomes.

In addition, stalking is increasingly linked to broader contemporary issues such as digital safety and privacy. The rise of social media and mobile technology has made it easier for perpetrators to engage in what is often referred to as cyberstalking. This can include tracking someone’s location, repeatedly messaging them across multiple platforms, or monitoring their online presence. As a result, victims may feel that there is no clear boundary between their public and private lives, intensifying the sense of fear and lack of control.

Overall, the focus of National Stalking Awareness Week 2026 reinforces the idea that stalking should be taken seriously as a form of harmful and potentially escalating behaviour. By drawing attention to its connection with severe violence and homicide, the campaign encourages a shift in how stalking is perceived, promoting earlier recognition, stronger legal responses, and greater public awareness.