Cheshire Constabulary’s Harm Reduction Unit was pleased to welcome a visit from the Minister for Safeguarding, Jess Philips MP. The unit is a collaborative, multi-agency initiative where police and health professionals work together to manage the risks associated with stalking and domestic abuse and provide vital support to victims.
As part of the government’s broader review of stalking-related legislation, the Minister announced that victims of stalking will have the right to know the identity of their perpetrator/s.
Cheshire and Wirral Partnership NHS Foundation Trust and Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust work together within the Cheshire-wide unit to provide specialist psychological and mental health advice and support.
During the visit, discussions focused on the government’s proposals, including the ‘Right to Know’ initiative, which will empower the police to release the identity of an online stalker at the earliest opportunity.
Jess Phillips MP, shared her personal connection to the cause: “As a victim of stalking myself, I know just how terrifying it can be to be subject to such controlling behaviour. We are announcing six fresh measures which will help people go about their lives with the confidence that the person stalking them is being dealt with robustly and that more protections are in place to help them.”
Daniel Naden, Advanced Specialist Occupational Therapist within CWP’s Forensic Support Service based at the Harm Reduction Unit, welcomed the legislative review, saying: “The Harm Reduction Unit, is a leading example of how collaboration can make a tangible difference in improving safety and support for those affected by these crimes. Jess’s visit and the new announcements are another step towards improving the situation for victims and our ability to reduce reoffending moving forwards.”
The ‘Right to Know’ guidance was inspired by the experience of Nicola Thorp, broadcaster, activist, and former Coronation Street actress. Thorp stated: “Just knowing that name, seeing a photograph of the person who is making your life hell, can really make a difference.” Her stalker was later sentenced to 30 months in prison with a lifetime restraining order.
In further measures to tackle stalking, victims will also be given more protection from offenders by making Stalking Protection Orders more widely available – these orders can ban stalkers from going within a certain distance of their victims or contacting them, and can also compel them to attend a perpetrator programme to address the root causes of their behaviour.
If you have been impacted by stalking, you can find support on the Cheshire Constabulary website.
More information on the programme can be found here. You can view the news item on X here.
If you have any questions, please contact cwp.essential@nhs.net For more information about CWP’s services, visit www.cwp.nhs.uk.
