University project set to battle stalking menace

THE University of the West of Scotland is to establish a centre to focus on the prevention of stalking.

The project will conduct research into the issue as well as studying coercion and control on children and young people, the motivations of perpetrators and cyber-stalking.

It will be run in partnership with charity Action Against Stalking (AAS).

It will be unveiled at an online international conference on the problem to take place from April 20-22 during National Stalking Awareness Week.

The Dynamics Between the Stalker and the Victim summit will bring together global experts from police bodies, universities and charities.

Ross Deuchar, professor of criminology and criminal justice at University of the West of Scotland, will be interim director of the centre.

He said: “I’m delighted to be involved in the launch of the new centre for Action Against Stalking – an international centre against abusive and harmful behaviour.

“I am pleased that we are able to launch the centre as part of the firstever international stalking conference, which brings together world-leading stalking experts for a ground-breaking event.”

Ann Moulds, founder of AAS, said stalking can “happen to anyone, any age, anywhere”.

“We welcome our international cast of speakers and delegates.”