Waxman case highlights plight of stalking victims
Added January 18th, 2010 in NSS News
Following the sentencing of Elliot Fogel to sixteen weeks in prison for breaching a restraining order for the second time, Network for Surviving Stalking urges more be done to help stalking victims living in fear.
Claire Waxman has been stalked by Fogel over a period of seven years and has moved home 5 times in a bid to escape the situation. Her distress and the impact the harassment has had was explained to the court in a lengthy victim statement.
Network for Surviving Stalking Chief Executive Alexis Bowater said, “Sadly Claire Waxman’s situation isn’t an isolated one. Our charity is trying to help other people who are living in fear, like Claire has been, but the law seems powerless to protect them. Research demonstrates that some stalkers pose an extremely high risk of violence but they can be let back out on the streets as there isn’t the appropriate legislation to deal with them. For the victim it’s a living nightmare. “
2009 research by Dr Lorraine Sheridan and Network for Surviving Stalking shows the average duration of an ongoing stalking case is 40 months. 77% of victims did not report the situation until over 100 incidents had occurred. 16% of victims surveyed whose stalker had stopped said this had happened because they’d relocated. Many had moved to other countries, leaving friends and family behind.*
(*Over 2000 stalking victims. Survey published 2009)
Network for Surviving Stalking is a registered charity that raises awareness about the crimes of stalking and harassment. We’re working with Protection Against Stalking and Suzy Lamplugh Trust to set up a Home Office Funded helpline for stalking victims that’s due to launch in the spring.
Editor’s notes:
- Journalists wanting to interview Alexis Bowater or NSS Trustee and barrister Paul Infield, can call the press office on 07970 792986
- Stalking Facts and Figures:
-Over 1.2 million women and 900,000 men are stalked every year*
-8% of women and 6% of men are stalked every year.*
-19% of women and 12% of men have experienced stalking or harassment at some point in their lives.*
- 37% of cases of ‘aggravated stalking’ (stalking with violence) against women were carried out by ‘an intimate’. 59% of cases were carried out by people known to them and 7% were carried out by a stranger. **
3. Advice:
-If you think you’re being stalked, contact the local police. Take a note of the investigating officer’s name and crime reference number if applicable.
-Do not have contact with your stalker. Do not engage in conversation with them or arrange to meet them.
- Keep a record of what is happening, with as much detail as possible. Find more information at www.nss.org.uk
Sources
:(Home Office Research paper: Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault and Stalking: Findings from the British Crime Survey March 2004.)*
(Dr Lorraine Sheridan at University of Leicester and Network for Surviving Stalking 2005)**
