WHILE overall crime rates in Scotland continue to fall, the Scottish Crime and Justice Survey suggests that incidences of stalking have almost doubled in the last five years.

Nearly a fifth of our young people, and a quarter of young women, have been the victim of stalking or harassment in the last year, with the rise of cyber-stalking showing no signs of abating.

Stalking is frightening and extremely distressing. It has a profound affect on the physical and mental health of its victims and of course, in some cases, can escalate into violence.

In a time when perpetrators have greater access to online personal information than ever before, it’s right for Parliament to come together and offer greater protection to victims of stalking.

Today in Holyrood, I will lead a debate to mark Stalking Awareness Week 2019 – highlighting the need for essential legal reform that will help tackle this serious issue.

As things stand, the main tool to protect victims from continued stalking is a non-harassment order – which makes continued contact a criminal offence.

But victims must apply to a civil court to take out such an order, a process that many will find difficult in the midst of harassment – and which may incur legal costs. As we can all comprehend, and as many of you will know first-hand, being the victim of stalking is a truly upsetting experience – and in any circumstance, it is unjust and impractical to pile responsibility on innocent victims, who simply seek protection from perpetrators.

Charities and organisations like Scottish Women’s Aid agree – it’s time for specific legislation that will give faster and comprehensive protection to victims of stalking.

The creation of specific Stalking Protection Orders, which would be applied for by the police rather than by victims, would allow victims of stalking to receive legal protection without cost and with reduced pressure, during a time of particular vulnerability.

Everyone should feel confident they can walk down the street safely or use social media without fear of consequence. My proposal of legal reform would remove obstacles for victims and help curb the worrying rise of stalking in Scotland.

I look forward to developing these proposals alongside colleagues from across the chamber.