Ann’s Story
In her own words…
“A man tenaciously terrorised me for over three years, remaining anonymous for over two of these years before finally being caught. Even after being charged he continued his lewd behaviour. He destroyed my life, my business, my family and to gain a sense of safety, I made a choice to relocate more than 80 miles away, leaving behind my home of 30 years, my family and my friends.
” His contact was by letter of a sexually violent and sado-masochistic nature along with disturbing photographs, lingerie sent through the post and silent phone calls. The escalation of his behaviour came through his letters, which gradually increased in sexual fantasy and sexual deviation.”
”This man, who was of delusional typology and a sexual predator, received a lenient community service order, probation and listing on the sexual offenders’ register for a period of only three years. Today, this sex terrorist remains free to walk the streets where I once lived.”
The Campaign
In March 2009 Ann made a 90 minute keynote speech at a seminar organised by Violence against Women Training Consortium run by a trio of local authorities in Ayrshire, Scotland. It was the first time she had spoken publicly about her ordeal and the outcome of her experience highlighted that women are not getting the protection they need. The seminar, the first of its kind, was broadcast on national television and radio. She said “My experience exposed the fact that Scotland does not have a specific stalking law and police officers receive little or no training in policing stalking crime.”
Ann told her harrowing story to more than 120 people, comprising police officers from across Scotland, key members from the criminal justice system, MPs, MSPs, local government councillors and representatives from various agencies as well as members of the public. By openly sharing her experience, she spoke for those other women who have for many years suffered in silence. The response led Ann to start a campaign - Action Scotland Against Stalking. She says “We’re determined to challenge Scotland’s inadequate legal position in dealing with stalking crime.”
Standing up for Scottish Victims of Stalking
Ann believes Scotland does not regard the crime of stalking as the serious crime it deserves to be. She said: “Such offensive behaviour in Scotland is currently prosecuted under the common law ‘Breach of the Peace’ as it was in my case. And whilst historically flexible to cover a multitude of common garden offences, it does not fully encompass, define or reflect the seriousness of stalking – the constant anxiety; the constant fear of threats; the constant trauma; the constant concern with family; and the constant psychological stress at the conclusion of the case.
Action Scotland Against Stalking now has a Steering Committee in place to spearhead the campaign and we hope to raise a debate at parliamentary level on Scotland’s legal position in dealing with the crime of stalking. We’ll be organising an on-line petition too – watch this space.”
How you can help
Ann is willing to speak about her experience at seminars, conferences and workshops. (As well as her first hand experience of stalking, she is a visiting lecturer at Glasgow Caledonian University to third year health care students, lecturing on mental health. Ann is also an accredited trainer for delivery of the COSCA Counselling Skills Certificate Course holding her Diploma in Training and Development.) By sharing her experience she hopes to continue to raise public and practitioner awareness to the pervasive nature of stalking, which merits our collective concern and dedication to collaborative prevention and response efforts that will promote individual and community safety. If you would like more information contact stalking.scotland@yahoo.co.uk
