This week (24th-28th April) marks the 11th annual National Stalking Awareness Week in the UK, a campaign run by the Suzy Lamplugh Trust to raise awareness about the issues related to stalking and empowering victims to seek help.

This campaign is proudly supported by Interventions Alliance, who have announced a new partnership with South Yorkshire Police and Crime Commissioner and leading charity Cranstoun, marking an important step towards tackling the issues related to stalking and supporting victims.

The latest statistics show that 3.7% of people aged 16 or above were stalked in the previous year, whilst in South Yorkshire specifically, stalking offences increased by 14% during October 2019 to September 2020. *

Intervention Alliance will tackle this prevalent issue by working directly with perpetrators to reduce this type of reoffending by delivering targeted, tested, and proven psychological therapy through its Compulsive and Obsessive Behaviour Intervention (COBI) programme. The sessions include setting goals with the perpetrator that improve the welfare and safety of the survivor and monitoring the perpetrator’s behaviour throughout.

Amy Rice, Executive Director at Interventions Alliance, said on the new partnership: “We are proud to be supporting National Stalking Awareness Week and working alongside Cranstoun and the South Yorkshire PCC to prevent stalking and help those affected. Our COBI programme is evidence-based and tailored to meet the needs of the individual, aiming to change the behaviour of perpetrators and protect victims.”

Meanwhile, Wayne Grocott, Service Manager at Cranstoun said: “Supporting people and empowering them to rebuild their lives is what we do and with this new partnership we will be able to provide more support to people across South Yorkshire. We put victims at the heart of what we do to ensure that they can feel safer, happier and healthier.”

The South Yorkshire Police and Crime Commissioner has funded the project and has been working to raise awareness of stalking and improve support for victims. Doctor Alan Billings, South Yorkshire Police and Crime Commissioner said: “Stalking causes enormous distress for victims who can feel highly vulnerable and at risk. I want to support the victims of stalking in every way I can, to re-build their confidence and to feel safe. One way is to help those who offend in this way change their attitudes and behaviour.”

Report a stalker https://www.gov.uk/report-stalker

Victims should contact the police: Call 999 if you or someone is in immediate danger or the local police if it is not an emergency.

Suzy Lamplugh Trust helpline (open weekdays 9.30-16.00) 0808 802 0300

Paladin open 9:00 – 15:00 and slightly later on Thursday’s 020 3866 4107

* South Yorkshire Police on stalking: https://southyorkshire-pcc.gov.uk/news/latest-ons-crime-statistics/