Naomi Long

As the Protection from Stalking Bill reached the final stage in Stormont yesterday, Mrs Long paid tribute to David Sewell in the Office of the Legislative Counsel (OLC), who “contributed so much to the drafting of the bill”.

Mr Sewell passed away shortly before Christmas, just after the bill reached committee stage.

“I want to place on record my appreciation of the enormous contribution that David made to the legislative work of my Department and the Assembly and to express my sincere sympathies to his family and his colleagues in the OLC for their loss,” Mrs Long said.

“I hope that, in some small way, this legislation can be seen as a fitting tribute to him.”

The bill, which is now awaiting royal assent, creates a new specific offence of stalking for Northern Ireland, capturing conduct and acts associated with stalking behaviour. It will be better focused on recognising the fixated, obsessive, unwanted and repeated nature of stalking behaviours and the particular risks associated with stalking.

It will apply to two or more occasions that cause a person to suffer fear, alarm or substantial distress. A new offence of threatening or abusive behaviour is also created which can be triggered by a single incident.

All victims of stalking will have automatic eligibility for special measures assistance, such as the use of live links or screens at court, when giving evidence in proceedings. This also applies in family proceedings, where special measures can be considered by the court on a case by case basis.

The bill provides for greater and more appropriate penalties and protections than are available under current harassment legislation, with the stalking offence carrying a maximum penalty on conviction on indictment of 10 years’ imprisonment or a fine, or both.

It also introduces stalking protection orders (SPOs), a new tool for police that will enable them to intervene prior to any conviction.

Mrs Long said: “I am grateful to our justice partners, who are playing their part in examining how they can ensure this bill delivers meaningful change for victims and providing training for their organisations.

“I hope we can secure royal assent by May, and, along with our criminal justice partners, bring the stalking offence into operation by the end of this summer, and stalking protection orders towards the end of this year.

“This new legislation will play a crucial part in generating confidence in victims to come forward and report to the police in the knowledge that they will receive the support and protections they need and deserve to feel safe.”