Who are Suzy Lamplugh Trust?

The Suzy Lamplugh Trust was formed in 1986 by Paul and Diana Lamplugh OBE after the disappearance of their daughter Suzy, an estate agent.  The Suzy Lamplugh Trust offers advice, training, consultancy, and information to enable people and organisations to be and feel safer. We are a leading voice in the charity sector on stalking and personal safety, and we run the National Stalking Helpline.

What is stalking?

The Suzy Lamplugh Trust defines stalking as ‘a pattern of fixated and obsessive behaviour which is repeated, persistent, intrusive and causes fear of violence or engenders alarm and distress in the victim.’

Stalking can consist of any type of behaviour such as regularly sending flowers or gifts, making unwanted or malicious communication, damaging property, and physical or sexual assault. If the behaviour is persistent and clearly unwanted, causing you fear, distress or anxiety, it is stalking.

Stalking affects 1 in 5 women and 1 in 10 men in the UK at some point in their life. Every year, an average of 1.5 million people are victims of stalking in the UK.

A victim’s wellbeing is drastically affected, including their physical, emotional, financial and psychological wellbeing. It has a substantial effect on their day to day lives: many do not leave the house (or do not do so alone), and some move to a new home or job to try to get away from their stalker.

Many of the victims we work with are terrified about what their stalker will do to them or their families. Unfortunately, these fears are far from unfounded: 30-40% of all stalking cases involve physical assault, and research suggests that stalking behaviours were present in 9 out of 10 femicide cases.

When many people hear the word ‘stalking’, they still think of a stranger lurking in the shadows or a delusional fan following a celebrity. Whilst these cover some stalking scenarios, they are by no means the majority. About 45% of people who contact the National Stalking Helpline are being stalked by ex-intimates (i.e. ex-partners) and a further one third have had some sort of prior acquaintance with their stalker; you may have dated, married or been a friend with your stalker. Just because you know/knew the stalker does not mean that the situation is your fault – it is still stalking and it is wrong.

Stalking and the Istanbul Convention

The Istanbul Convention offers, for the first time, a set of measures against stalking and to support its victims. Once the Convention is ratified and implemented at a national level, it will make a real difference for victims of stalking.

• The Convention makes it clear that stalking is a form of violence against women and has a gendered nature. Indeed, 80% of all victims of stalking are women.
  
• The Convention requires all countries that ratify it to introduce the specific criminal offence of stalking. This would allow criminal courts to capture the pattern of stalking.
  Taken on their own, the individual elements of stalking, such as sending someone unwanted messages, showing up at somebody’s house or place of work uninvited, calling friends and family, or sending gifts, does not always amount to criminal behaviour. It is the pattern, the intent of the stalker, and the fear the stalker causes, that make up the criminal nature of stalking. Other criminal offences such as harassment or malicious communications do not capture this.
  
• The Convention also introduces restraining or protection orders for victims of stalking. In most countries, it is technically possible to apply for a civil injunction to stop the behaviour of another person. This instrument, however, is of limited use against stalkers and it puts the emphasis on victims.
  In England and Wales, it is also possible to apply for a Stalking Protection Order. The Convention requires states to ensure that restraining or protection orders are available to all victims of violence covered by the Convention. This includes stalking. The Convention also makes sure that a court of law can order a stalker to stop their behaviour and stay away from the victim. Any breaches of such orders need to be met with criminal or other legal sanctions.
  
• The Convention requires governments to set up specialist support services for victims of stalking. There needs to be a number that victims can call where they can find out about support options available.
  Ratifying the Convention would require the UK government to commit support to vital stalking support services. This would enable services like the National Stalking Helpline, run by the Suzy Lamplugh Trust, to support more victims, and ensure stalking is taken seriously as a form of gender-based violence.

If the UK ratified the Istanbul Convention, they would have to meet these requirements and strengthen their approach to tackling stalking. This is why we are calling on them to ratify the Istanbul Convention and encourage you to add your voice.

If you need support:

We advise that anyone who believes that they are being stalked to call the National Stalking Helpline on 0808 802 0300, or use our online tool.

We would also urge people to report to the police, especially if they feel like they are in immediate danger.

Take action now:

Sign the petition for the UK to ratify the Istanbul Convention.

This blog was written by Emma Moseley, from the Suzy Lamplugh Trust.

People photo created by Dragana_Gordic - www.freepik.com