Long welcomes stalking protection progress

Progress made on enhancing stalking protections has been welcomed by Justice Minister Naomi Long.

Since the Stalking Act became law in April 2022 more than 4,500 PSNI officers/staff and 135 prosecutors with responsibilities for dealing with stalking cases have participated in training. There have been 449 files sent from PSNI to PPS (Public Prosecution Service) and to date there have been 57 convictions for stalking and threatening or abusive behaviour.

Minister Long said: I welcome the progress that has been made on the delivery of this legislation, which offers greater protection in our communities to anyone affected by stalking.

I am grateful to our justice partners, who are playing their part in delivering meaningful change for victims and providing training for their organisations.

The Minister was commenting as the first report on the Protection from Stalking Act (NI) 2022 was issued.

Read more: Report on the Operation of the Protection from Stalking Act NI 2022 | Department of Justice (justice-ni.gov.uk)

Notes to editors: 

1. The Department of Justice is required by Section 20 of the Protection from Stalking Act (NI) 2022, to prepare and publish a report on the operation of the Act.
2. The Act received Royal Assent on April 26, 2022, and provided for a new offence of stalking, the offence of threatening or abusive behaviour, and introduced Stalking Protection Orders (SPOs). SPOs and the offence of breaching an SPO came into effect on 19 October 2023. 
3. Further information on Stalking is available on NI Direct website.
4. Media enquiries should be directed to the Department of Justice Press Office via Email 
5.  The Executive Information Service operates an out of hours service for media enquiries only between 1800hrs and 0800hrs Monday to Friday and at weekends and public holidays. The duty press officer can be contacted out of hours on 028 9037 8110. 

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