For National Stalking Awareness Week 2024, the National Stalking Consortium theme, led by our partners at The Suzy Lamplugh Trust is, “Join Forces Against Stalking”.
Effective multi-agency working is crucial for ensuring victims of stalking are supported from their point of disclosure right through until a conviction and beyond. This year, we are calling for agencies across the police, CPS and healthcare to join forces, and work together to effectively support victims of stalking. We will be showcasing examples of best practice and highlighting the important role multi-agency working has played for the victims we support.
Stalking behaviours and referral to Aurora:
Jessie* was referred to our Thames Valley stalking service by Victims First following a report to the police that her ex-partner had been spying on her through cameras she had set up for her pet, the stalker had been constantly contacting her.
Jessie was in a relationship with the stalker for over five years. The relationship became abusive when their first child was born. The stalker would tell Jessie that if she ever left him, he would destroy her and take away the children. Jessie had been subjected to multiple sexual assaults by the stalker and six accounts of rape, she ended the relationship and moved into her mother’s home with her children. Arrangements were made for child contact through a third party, although the stalker did not attempt to see the children for a few months.
There were occasions in which Jessie had been having private conversations with her mother and her new partner would receive messages alluding to what had been said. The stalker also stole a key for Jessie’s mother’s house and let himself in.
Support provided:
We have been working with Jessie on her safety planning and encouraged her to invest in the Hollie Guard app, a personal alarm, and a video doorbell.
Multi Agency Working:
We referred Jessie to our partners at the Faisal Luke Pro Bono Project, a group of expert lawyers who gave her advice around a Child Arrangement Order and child contact. Unfortunately, Jessie was told by one police officer that the case was ‘low priority’ so we raised this with the force lead in Thames Valley police and the officer was spoken to. This message left Jessie feeling really low and undervalued and we continue to work with her around feeling confident to continue to report to the police.
Jessie has struggled with her mental health and had attempted to overdose before accessing our service. She has been working with mental health professionals and continues to engage in the services and options offered by them. We have remained in contact with her health team to ensure we are working together to provide the best support for Jessie.
Due to some early errors, the case was not referred to the CPS within the statutory time limit by the police, and because the rape charges were separated from the stalking, the charges under stalking were not initially considered under a s.4a, which constitutes the most serious offences in the legislation.
This caused Jessie a great deal of stress and she has been diagnosed with further health issues by her GP, brought on by the stress of the case. We advocated with the police to charge under a s.4a and the police eventually took a statement from Jessie.
Victim Voice and next steps:
Jessie doesn’t have much faith in the case going through the criminal justice system, but she has come this far and needs to prove to the stalker that he does not control her anymore and that she is strong. She is still navigating child contact and Jessie says this has been uncomfortable but manageable, and we routinely update her safety plan with her to make sure she and the children are safe.
We now have to wait for a review of the statement to see if the case can be submitted for the S.4a. Jessie still finds it difficult to leave the house on her own and said she is often concerned the stalker is setting up cameras or listening devices when she is not at the house.
Our next steps are to continue liaising with the police to keep Jessie updated. Jessie understandably still struggles with her mental health, and we continue to link in with those services and assess other options available for her.
Jessie told us she would not have been able to get through all of this without our support and always feels more positive after speaking to us. She also explained that she feels she can open up to us and that she is being understood, and not just listened to.
“You are one of the only services I am being supported by that empowers me to make my own choices and supports me through them.”
*not her real name
If you are being subjected to stalking and you live in Thames Valley, call us on 02392 479254.
You can also contact the National Stalking Helpline on 0808 802 0330.
If you would like to support the Aurora New Dawn charity and you are able to donate you can do so here:
If you would like to support our female only group work and you are able to donate you can do so here:
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