A growing number of MPs are backing a campaign spearheaded by Plaid’s Westminster leader Elfyn Llwyd MP to make ‘cyber stalking’ a criminal offence.
Plaid Cymru’s justice spokesperson Elfyn Llwyd MP has called for a review of the Protection from Harassment Act 1997. Electronic or ‘cyber’ stalking is on the increase – but not currently covered by criminal law.
Although the existing Act recognises that stalking and harassment are a crime, there is evidence that many incidents of stalking reported to the police are not investigated.
Research shows that 80% of stalkers are male but victims can be of either gender.
Mr Llwyd has tabled an EDM on this issue which has now received cross-party support.
The campaign to review the 1997 Act has already gained the backing of organisations such as Protection Against Stalking, the Suzy Lamplugh Trust, the Network for Surviving Stalking and Napo the Probation Union. The Association of Chief Police Officers has also stated publicly that police officers need a better understanding of the risk that stalkers pose to victims.
Mr Llwyd said: “Stalking is a serious issue which shatters lives. Many victims are physically assaulted, left psychologically scarred and some even murdered by their tormentors.
“Although stalking and harassment are recognised in the Protection from Harassment Act as criminal matters, increasing evidence suggests that not all cases reported to the police are being taken as seriously as one would expect.
“Moreover, cyber stalking is on the increase – and as yet it is not even covered by criminal law.
“I believe that there is an ignorance of the ramifications of this crime and that far too many reported incidents of stalking are not treated as potential crimes by the police.
“This is a practice which must be stopped as a matter of urgency. Stalking is not a problem which will go away if ignored.
“The current Act has not been reviewed in fifteen years, and is quite clearly in need of re-examination.”
