Stalking Sentences increased to 10 years

Thanks to MPs Alex Chalk & Richard Graham plus other campaigners in this field, stalking will now have a maximum sentence of 10 years, instead of the 5 it has been.  It is great news and sends a clearer message that a perpetrator may end up serving a long time.  It is important, however, that training takes place from the police to the judiciary and beyond so that stalking behaviour is better understood and the potential implications if it is not taken seriously.

This is my interview on Sky News this morning.

http://news.sky.com/video/stalking-sentence-to-be-doubled-10719485

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30 Years of the Suzy Lamplugh Trust

I’ve been associated with the Suzy Lamplugh Trust since the 2 police officers on my case approached Diana Lamplugh in 1995 to see if she would be interested in supporting our calls for a specific stalking law.  The rest is (legal) history… http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/how-mother-disappeared-suzy-lamplugh-8511901

Frodo’s Words of Wisdom

After another successful National Stalking Awareness Week, organised by the Suzy Lamplugh Trust, highlighting different aspects of stalking and all that goes with it, I want to share a quote from a film that I really identified with.  It conveyed exactly what it is like for a victim when the stalker is allowed to continue.  When life suddenly becomes an existence and an education in survival skills; both mental and physical.  You’ve heard from not just me, but Claire Waxman, Sam Taylor both amazing women I am privileged to know, and Lily Allen, who has bravely spoken out – a victim puts their life in danger when doing so, so thank you to all the brave people who speak out and show the impact of what life is like with a stalker.

I hope this helps those in the Criminal Justice System understand the impact of NOT taking a stalking victim seriously.  Of NOT taking all possible routes of intervention.  Of NOT using all tools and appropriate laws available.

This is it:

“How do you pick up the threads of an old life?

How do you go on?

In your heart you begin to understand.  There is no going back.

There are some things that time cannot mend, some hurts that go too deep, that have taken hold.”

Frodo Baggins, Lord of the Rings, The Fellowship of the Ring

A heartfelt thank you to all those who work together to make life better for victims.

Article in The Telegraph 19th April 2016

As part of National Stalking Awareness Week and Lily Allen bravely speaking out, there is an interview with me in today’s Telegraph.  Daily Telegraph

National Stalking Awareness Week 2016

Coercive Control Book

Jennifer Perry at The Digital Trust @Digital_Trust_ has written a great book on Coercive Control.  Here’s the link to it : Coercive Control Book

 

Home Office Consultation – Stalking Protection Orders – HAVE YOUR SAY!

Recently the Home Office announced a consultation on Stalking Protection Orders and welcomed input.  Please do go to the consultation and answer the questions as soon as possible as it closes in January.

Consultation on Stalking Protection Orders

Putting my best foot forward for the National Stalking Helpline

I’m doing a mad thing… I’ve signed up to do the 25k of the Thames Path Challenge!  I’ve never walked more than 10 miles before and that was when I was much, much younger!

I’m doing it because I want to raise as much as possible for the National Stalking Helpline… they need it to reach more victims of stalking.  Currently they are helping as many as possible, but as we know, there are many out there who need someone to believe them, to take them seriously and give them some guidance as to what to do.

I know, having raised funds for my own charity, Network for Surviving Stalking, how hard it is for people to understand why people need the helpline.  Why funds are needed.  We’re not fluffy puppies and kittens, we’re not dying… but actually… this is about murder prevention. So many times we hear and read about cases where it’s too later: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3126395/Woman-fatally-stabbed-neighbour-said-feared-stalking-her.html

This wasn’t an ex-partner but a neighbour; that’s how terrifying it is; ANYONE can be a victim, ANYONE can be a stalker and it’s hard to know which ones will end in tragedy – although there are risk factors – how do we get the help to the right people?

Even if it doesn’t end in tragedy (and who’s to know), the quality of life for a victim and those around them is deeply affected.

I know… I’ve got the videos to prove it.

PLEASE help me to help others reach those victims who need help, advice and information to make decisions which might actually save their lives.

Please sponsor me to do the 25k http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/TraceyMorgan

Take That

Had a fantastic evening at Take That last night, they really know how to put on a show.

Victims’ Commissioner Survey – Victim Personal Statements

Have your say about Victim Personal Statements at a survey being done by the Victims’ Commissioner – seize the opportunity to have a voice, it’s not often that crime victims get one. http://victimscommissioner.org.uk/review/current-review/