New figures on stalking case processing times released
Date published:
New figures demonstrate the ongoing success of enhanced stalking protections, the Justice Minister has said.
Minister Long has welcomed the publication of an addendum to the first report on the Protection from Stalking Act (NI) 2022, which provides additional information on processing times for conviction cases of stalking and threatening or abusive behaviour.
The Minister said: “The Department of Justice, through the Stalking Implementation Working Group, looked at how we could expand the information we are able to release. I am pleased we are now in position to provide data on the average length of time from when an offence is reported to court disposal.
“We will continue to work with members of the Implementation Group to assess how the first report, and future reports, can be expanded upon in line with the requirement in the Act to publish information which is available to the Department.”
Since the Stalking Act became law in April 2022, 90% of conviction cases of stalking and threatening or abusive behaviour were dealt with within one year.
The report is available at the publication section of this website
Notes to editors:
- 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(external link opens in a new window / tab) website.
4.Media enquiries should be directed to the Department of Justice Press Office via Email
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