Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Government proposes new protections for stalking victims

The proposals follow a major review by police watchdogs, which highlighted shortcomings in protecting stalking victims.

Home secretary Yvette Cooper stated the government would use 'every tool available' to protect victims and reduce the power of abusers. (Photo: Getty Images)
Home secretary Yvette Cooper stated the government would use 'every tool available' to protect victims and reduce the power of abusers. (Photo: Getty Images)

THE GOVERNMENT has proposed new measures to improve protection for stalking victims, including the right to know the identity of their abusers.

The Home Office announced that victims would be informed about the identity of online stalkers as soon as possible under the new guidance.


Home secretary Yvette Cooper stated the government would use "every tool available" to protect victims and reduce the power of abusers, reported BBC.

According to official figures, one in five women aged 16 and over in England and Wales has experienced stalking.

The measures, developed with input from broadcaster and activist Nicola Thorp, include expanding Stalking Protection Orders. These orders can restrict alleged stalkers from contacting or approaching their victims and will now be applicable post-conviction, even if not issued before a trial. Courts will also have the authority to impose orders on acquitted individuals if sufficient evidence shows they pose a risk.

Offenders will face stricter restrictions, including being barred from contacting their victims while in prison. A review of stalking legislation, better data collection on offences, and national standards for perpetrator programmes will also be introduced.

The proposals follow a major review by police watchdogs, which highlighted shortcomings in protecting stalking victims, reported BBC.

Safeguarding minister Jess Phillips described the measures as a vital step toward tackling stalking, while London’s victims' commissioner Claire Waxman welcomed the changes, citing the criminal justice system's previous failures in addressing stalking effectively.

The government says these initiatives are part of its broader mission to halve violence against women and girls within a decade.

More For You

british-muslims-iStock

The study noted that this identification was not due to any doctrinal obligation but was influenced by the perception that many Muslims do not feel fully accepted as British. (Representational image: iStock)

iStock

Majority of British Muslims identify by faith first, study finds

A STUDY by the Institute for the Impact of Faith in Life (IIFL) has found that most British Muslims identify primarily with their religion rather than their nationality.

The research, based on a survey of 815 British Muslim adults by Whitestone Insight, revealed that 71 per cent of respondents identified as Muslim first, while 27 per cent identified as British, English, or Scottish first.

Keep ReadingShow less
Car Tax Changes: EV Owners Now Required to Pay for the First Time

Owners of electric vehicles registered on or after 1 April 2025 will pay £10 for the first year, followed by the standard VED rate of £195 from the second year. (Representational image: iStock)

iStock

Car tax changes take effect: EV owners to pay for first time

FROM today, 1 April 2025, electric cars, vans, and motorcycles in the UK will be subject to Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) for the first time.

The change, introduced in the 2022 Autumn Statement by former Conservative Chancellor Jeremy Hunt, aims to make motoring taxation fairer.

Keep ReadingShow less
scotland-minimum-wages-iStock

Full-time workers on the National Living Wage will receive an annual pay increase of £1,400 in real terms. (Representational image: iStock)

iStock

Wage increase takes effect for thousands of workers in Scotland

HUNDREDS of thousands of workers in Scotland will see a pay increase as new National Living Wage and National Minimum Wage rates take effect from Tuesday.

The changes will benefit approximately 220,000 people, according to STV News.

Keep ReadingShow less
uk-energy-bill-iStock

Water bills, energy prices, and council tax are rising, while the minimum wage has also increased (Representational image: iStock)

iStock

April bill increases put financial strain on single parents

A RANGE of essential household bills are increasing from April, with Citizens Advice warning that single parents will be among the hardest hit.

Water bills, energy prices, and council tax are rising, while the minimum wage has also increased, BBC reported.

Keep ReadingShow less
Netflix drama Adolescence to be screened in UK schools
Stephen Graham and Owen Cooper in 'Adolescence'
Netflix

Netflix drama Adolescence to be screened in UK schools

THE NETFLIX drama Adolescence will be shown in UK secondary schools as part of efforts to address harmful online influences on young boys, officials announced on Monday.

The show has sparked debate over the impact of toxic and misogynistic content on the internet. Prime minister Keir Starmer met the show's creators, charities, and young people at Downing Street, calling the initiative an important step in starting discussions about the content teenagers are exposed to online.

Keep ReadingShow less