JUSTICE MINISTER: 'Stalking is a debilitating and menacing crime that we must tackle'
Last updated 19th Apr 2021
Downtown & Cool FM News has been finding out how to report stalking and what help there is for victims of the crime.
Currently, Northern Ireland is the only part of the UK not to have specific laws around the crime.
The PSNI deals with stalking under the Protection from Harassment Order (NI) 1997.
However, a stand alone Stalking Bill is now with the justice committee and will hopefully become law by Summer 2022.
If passed, the Stalking Bill will give courts the power to hand out a 10 year sentence for the most serious offences.
Despite the bill not being law yet, the Justice Minister says there is still a wide range of help and support for victims of stalking.
Naomi Long said: "If you have been a victim of stalking even thought the bill isn't law yet there is still an opportunity to report harassment to the PSNI and I would encourage them to do that.
"Also if they feel like their life is in danger then they should ring 99."
Ms Long described what victims have been telling her, and how debilitating the crime is.
"It can be simply being everywhere you go, it's a very discomforting position to be in when you go somewhere and someone that you know is following you around turns up and seems to be everywhere you go.
"It can also be very threatening because with a lot of stalkers there is that kind of menace involved."
If you want more help or support please click the following links:
National Stalking helpline: 0808 802 0300