Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith has announced strengthened changes to the Government’s proposed anti-stalking legislation, including a key amendment that allows the offence to be triggered after two specified acts within a 24-month period—doubling the original timeframe.
“This change better recognises patterns in stalking behaviour and time that can pass between incidents,” said Goldsmith. “For example, stalking that occurs around anniversaries would not be covered under the original 12-month period.”
Goldsmith said the reforms are part of the Government’s broader law and order agenda, which prioritises victims and aims to impose real consequences on repeat offenders.
The new stalking offence, first announced in November, carries a maximum sentence of five years’ imprisonment.
He also acknowledged the valuable input from the public and stakeholders during the select committee process, saying their feedback had led to a series of improvements aimed at combating stalking more effectively.
The Justice Committee’s recommended changes, now supported by the Government, include:
- Addressing the publishing of any statement or other material relating to the other person, or purporting to originate from that person (also known as doxing).
- Adding new sections to enable the disposal of any intimate visual recordings possessed by a person convicted of the new stalking and harassment offence.
- Adding the new offence to the Firearms Prohibition Orders regime, allowing those orders to be made when a person is convicted of the new offence.
- Clarifying the new aggravating factor relating to stalking by more clearly linking the associated stalking and harassment-type behaviours to the offence the person is charged with.
- Making it clear that restraining orders under the Harassment Act 1997 and orders under the Harmful Digital Communications Act 2015 can be made when a person is discharged without conviction in relation to the new offence.
“These are meaningful changes that close loopholes and give our justice system stronger tools to deal with stalking and harassment,” Goldsmith said.
Image credit: Isai Ramos
Goldsmith?
One in the wood pile
The first change about doxing, is a bit dubious to my mind and smacks of hate speech by sleath, in my opinion. The rest I wholeheartedly support.
Doxxing is like an online ad hominem attack. This can be harmful to someone’s character when they are not in a position to respond. .
Worst stalkers of all, cunning and planning?
Your hurricane ex-wife, starting off wet and wild but in the end taking your house.