Group: Make stalking criminal offence

Stalking should be made a specific criminal offence because a growing number of young women are being terrorised via texts and social media sites, according to a leading domestic violence organisation.

Women’s Aid says current legislation is not strong enough and young women are being left “unprotected and vulnerable to abuse” as stalking and cyber-stalking is not explicitly addressed in law. Many women cannot get a safety order made against their stalker as domestic violence legislation is based around cohabitation. As many women affected are simply dating, they have no protection under current laws.

Terrified callers to the Women’s Aid national freephone helpline reveal how technology is being used by former and current boyfriends to “monitor and control” them; to regularly physically follow them; threaten to self-harm; break into their homes and cars; gather information on them from family and friends; harass people close to them and threaten to kill them.

“Their mobile phonecalls and texts are being monitored. Women are also disclosing how they are bombarded with texts and calls often telling them, in explicit detail, how they will be attacked or even killed,” said director Margaret Martin.

“Some women disclosed that their current or ex-boyfriends were stalking them on social networking sites.”

Women’s Aid launches its 2in2u awareness campaign today. It reveals how 60% of women who suffered severe abuse first experienced it when they were under 25.

Figures show that 39 women aged 18 to 25 have been killed in Ireland since 1996 and of the resolved cases, 53% were murdered by partners or ex-partners.

“Abuse can happen to any woman, at any age and in any type of relationship, including dating relationships,” said Ms Martin.

“Unfortunately, young women who have never lived with their boyfriends are not covered under the Domestic Violence Act and cannot avail of legal protection. Eligibility for safety orders must be extended to this group of women,” she said.

* Anyone concerned about their boyfriend’s actions can answer a series of questions on www.2in2u.ie or call the Women’s Aid helpline on 1800 341 900.