Mr Patsy McGlone (Mid Ulster): To ask the Minister of Justice to detail any assessment that she has made of the (i) support; and (ii) protection, available to victims of stalking throughout the criminal justice process.
Minister of Justice: On my appointment as Justice Minister in 2020 I made it my priority to bring forward legislation which would create a specific stand-alone offence of stalking in Northern Ireland.
This was based on my assessment that stalking victims in Northern Ireland needed more support and protection than was currently available through the Protection from Harassment Order (NI) 1997.
The Protection from Stalking Act (NI) 2022 introduced the stand-alone offence of stalking which offers protection and support for victims of stalking from the point of reporting to police.
Stalking victims may require protection whilst a police investigation is ongoing and this is why I included a provision in the 2022 Act to create Stalking Protection Orders (SPOs). SPOs offer protection to victims right from the start of a police investigation prior to a conviction, enabling PSNI to disrupt stalking behaviours at an early stage before they escalate. SPOs can also impose restrictions on an alleged offender in order to protect the victim and can include banning them from entering certain areas including near the victim’s home or work location.
The Act also includes a provision for automatic eligibility for consideration of special measures when victims of stalking are giving evidence, which could include the use of live links or screens in proceedings. The accused is also prohibited from cross examining the victim in a criminal court, where this relates to a stalking offence.
A report on the operation of the Protection from Stalking Act (NI) 2022, published in 2024, provides information on the stalking offences and SPOs.
To further increase protections for victims of stalking I agreed to the extension of two new measures in the Westminster Crime and Policing Act 2026 to Northern Ireland. The first measure will give courts the power to impose SPOs directly at the end of criminal proceedings either on conviction or on acquittal if there is enough evidence to suggest that the defendant is still a risk to the victim. The second measure will introduce a ‘right to know’ statutory guidance provision which aims to tell victims, who are not aware of who their stalker is, the identity of their abuser at the earliest opportunity.
I recognise that there is always more that can be done to improve support for all victims of crime, including victims of stalking. On 11 March this year I launched a new Victims and Witnesses of Crime Strategy. This is a six-year strategy that is intended to run from 2026 – 2032.
The vision under the Strategy is that we will increase confidence in the justice system by empowering and supporting all victims, including stalking victims, and ensuring compliance with Charter rights.
The Victim Charter sets out the entitlements and services that victims of crime in Northern Ireland can expect to receive from criminal justice organisations. This includes their right to receive updates on their case. The Charter also provides information about support services available, and what to do should anyone feel their Charter rights are not being upheld.
I also recently attended the launch of the second phase of the ‘Power to Change’ campaign and am fully supportive of its focus on challenging misogyny and inappropriate online content and behaviour.
My Department also funds Victim Support Northern Ireland to offer a range of supports to victims of crime. This includes the provision of emotional support, information, advice, assistance with claiming Criminal Injuries Compensation, court support services and signposting to other specialist services.
ENDS
