The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Bid to help stalking victims unveiled
Proposals for a new law to protect victims of stalking were unveiled during the event in Dundee.
The Stalking Protection Bill, brought forward by Angus North and Mearns MSP Mairi Gougeon, would make it possible for police to apply for a protection order.
Currently victims can only obtain a non-harassment order through the civil court, which can cost anything up to £10,000.
Ms Gougeon said: “Stalking is an incredibly serious crime which can have a life-changing impact on victims, and which is too often not reported to police at all.
“There are obvious reasons why some victims of stalking would not be willing to do this, not least that it may cost them personally if they do not qualify for legal aid.
“I have been told by one victim that when she asked her solicitor what her options were, she was told that what people do is either go to a civil court or wait to be assaulted again so that the perpetrator would get bail restrictions.
“The introduction of stalking protection orders, allowing police to apply directly to the court where there is evidence of stalking, could help victims to pursue justice.”
There were 1,372 recorded cases of stalking in 2016-17, according to the Scottish Crime and Justice Survey, more than double the 605 of 2012-13.
But the latest survey found less than a fifth (18.9%) had reported the most recent incident of stalking to the police.
The next stage for the Bill would be a public consultation, followed by discussion at Holyrood where cross-party support would be needed to pass it through.
If all goes to plan, it should be introduced within around two years.
Ann Moulds, founder of charity Action Against Stalking, said she was “absolutely delighted” by the news.
She said: “One of the biggest challenges for victims is plucking up the courage to make a report.
“This Bill would hopefully give victims more confidence to report as they would be offered protection by the police rather than having to go to a civil court.”