From fear to safety: New support service launches for stalking victims
More than 9,000 stalking cases were reported in West Yorkshire in just one year, new figures reveal.
But from today, a new specialist support service aims to help victims break free from the grip of stalking and take back their safety.
Safer Steps will support victim-survivors who have been stalked to regain their safety, and act as advocates to help them navigate criminal justice processes.
The service is delivered by the West Yorkshire Stalking Support Hub (WYSSH), a partnership between Leeds Women’s Aid, Staying Put, WomenCentre, Pennine Domestic Abuse Partnership and Cranstoun, and is funded by West Yorkshire Combined Authority.
Stalking refers to unwanted repeated behaviour that can make an individual feel scared, distressed, or threatened.
CEO of Leeds Women’s Aid, Nik Peasgood said: “When someone is being stalked, sometimes every step they take is being watched and they have to completely change how they live their day-to-day life.
“We want to be clear that this service is about us working together to make their next steps safer.”
Safer Steps will provide support and advocacy for victim-survivors of stalking such as liaising with police and providing legal advice. After an individual is referred to the service, Safer Steps will assess their risk and take practical and fast steps to reduce that risk.
According to Nik, stalking is “one of the most debilitating and isolating things” an individual can experience and it can be difficult to reach out for help.
Nik said: “People don’t always know when something classifies as stalking.
“If you are being clear with somebody that you don’t want contact and they’re not listening to that then that is the line. Somebody doesn’t have a right to constantly force their attention on you if that is not what you want.
“If this resonates with you then we are here to help.”
The first phase of Safer Steps will work with victims of stalking in a domestic context which accounts for more than 90 per cent of stalking cases in West Yorkshire.
The service will expand in the spring to support people affected by all forms of stalking, marking the first time specialist support will be available for people being stalked by someone they are not in a relationship with.
Safer Steps expands upon Leeds Women’s Aid previous continuing work to help victim-survivors of stalking.
To find out more about Safer Steps or to refer yourself to their service, visit their website.