Stalking: Naomi Long says new laws will help thousands of people

Proposed new laws to tackle stalking will help "thousands" of people in Northern Ireland, the Stormont Assembly has heard.

Justice Minister Naomi Long said she had listened to the "terrifying and debilitating" experiences of victims.

Other parts of the UK already have anti-stalking laws in place, but Northern Ireland has lagged behind.

The PSNI currently deals with stalking under the Protection from Harassment Order (NI) 1997.

Under the new bill, convictions for the most serious offences will carry a penalty of up to 10 years in prison.

On Monday, Mrs Long opened a debate on the legislation's second stage in the assembly, saying she wanted to send a "clear message" that stalking would not be tolerated.

"I fully appreciate the devastating effect that stalking can have on its victims," she said.

"This is a significant piece of legislation that will help thousands of people who are suffering every day from the torture of this insidious crime."

The bill will recognise in law, for the first time in Northern Ireland, that stalking is a course of behaviour that causes "fear, alarm or substantial distress" to the victim on two or more occasions.

It will also introduce provision for Stalking Protection Orders to enable early police intervention to a person at risk of stalking, and cover forms of stalking that occur online through social media.

Justice committee chair, DUP assembly member (MLA) Paul Givan said there was "no place" for stalking in society, and that the new laws would make a real difference.

Sinn Féin deputy chair Linda Dillon said it was "regrettable" that the legislation had taken so long, but added that it would help the PSNI to handle cases more appropriately.

Sonya McMullan, of Women's Aid NI, described the legislation as "vital" to protect victims who were subjected to stalking and harassment by partners or ex-partners.

"Stalking is much more likely to occur within the context of domestic violence or a previously established relationship, or be perpetrated by someone who is known in some way to the victim," she said.

"We know this is only the start of a long road until the implementation of the much-needed legislation, which can ultimately save lives. We cannot afford to wait any longer."

In 2016, a number of female assembly members (MLAs) at Stormont revealed they had experienced stalking and called for the laws to be introduced.

But the collapse of the power-sharing institutions in January 2017 delayed such a move.

When the parties returned to Stormont last January, Mrs Long said she would prioritise the issue, along with strengthening Northern Ireland's domestic abuse laws.

The new domestic abuse legislation - making coercive control an offence in Northern Ireland - passed its final hurdle at Stormont last month.