Scotland

The Network for Surviving Stalking is pleased to support Action Scotland Against Stalking ASAS and its campaign to improve the rights of Scottish victims. Keep up to date with all the campaign news and developments on this page…

Action Scotland Against Stalking

Contact: stalking.scotland@yahoo.co.uk

What is ASAS?

The ‘Campaign Action Scotland Against Stalking’ ( ASAS) was launched in March 2009 by Ann Moulds, from Ayrshire. She is a survivor of one of longest and worst stalking cases recorded in Scotland. Over a year after launching ASAS, Ann and her team have contributed to some major breakthroughs. Most notably legislation criminalising stalking has been introduced this year.

Our Aims & Objectives

ASAS says Stalking is a form of violence against women and needs to be acknowledged and understood as a serious crime which requires serious legislation and serious policing. Campaign founder Ann Moulds said: “It is this which has prompted me to campaign for a change in the law which will give stalking the credence it deserves and women the protection they need.”

ASAS wants:

*    Sentencing in line with the new law
*    Offenders’ Register
*    Training
*    Specialised Knowledge
*    Risk Assessment
*    Improved response to victims
*    Raise public awareness

Supporters of ASAS

Richard Baker MSP

James Brodie OBE (former national chairman of Victim Support)

Hamish Browne MBE

Lord George Foulkes

Sandra Osborne MP

Rhoda Grant MSP

John Scott MSP

Adam Ingram MSP

Local government councillors Elaine Little, Anne Galbraith and Mairi Low

South Ayrshire Multi Agency Partnership for Violence Against Women

Dr Lorraine Sheridan, Herriot Watt University, Edinburgh.

Stalking Law in Scotland

Ann Moulds launched this campaign as there was no specific legislation in Scotland dealing with stalking – offences were prosecuted under ancient breach of the peace laws. Ann is so passionate in her quest to get justice for stalking victims she spent over a year of her life speaking out about the horrific reality of being a stalking victim. In March 2010 anti-stalking legislation was included in the new Criminal & Licensing Justice Bill. It came into effect in June. Watch Ann giving evidence giving evidence to the Scottish parliament’s justice committee here.
Find out more about the legislation here

The fight for justice continues

Although legislation making stalking a criminal offence is in the pipeline, ASAS is still committed to giving Scottish stalking victims a fair chance of justice. Ann Moulds and her team have now switched their sights to the crucial issue of training. ASAS are working with Association of Chief Police Officers Scotland ACPOS to develop training modules to be delivered throughout the 8 police force areas. Ann has just finished filming a training DVD for the Crown Office Procurator Fiscal Service. Other ground breaking achievements include, NHS Scotland Greater Glasgow & Clyde becoming the first health board in the country to develop management policies to address work place stalking. Stalking now sits on agenda of all government funded support organisations as well as on the agenda for the ‘Violence Against Women National Training Strategy’. It now sits on the agenda for The Commission for Equality & Human Rights. Stalking is a huge problem within our Universities and College Campuses and Ann has just delivered her first stalking training session to students at Kilmarnock College. She is hoping to have stalking placed on the agenda of the National Students Union.

Training

Ann is delivering training sessions, workshops and speaking at conferences and seminars to continue to raise awareness about the seriousness of stalking and impact on victims. She has been invited to speak at an International Victimology conference being held in Edinburgh during the month of October.

It is hoped Ann will raise awareness to the difficulties victims face when they are involved within the criminal justice system. This can be scary and daunting. Ann hopes to raise awareness to the importance of a more victim centred approach to help victims cope with this experience. If you’d like more information about training email stalking.scotland@yahoo.co.uk