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<p>Stalking is a deeply disturbing crime which can leave its victims living in fear
for years. That is why we introduced new legislation in 2012 which made stalking an
offence in its own right.</p><p>To mark National Stalking Awareness Week, we are using
Twitter to raise awareness of the increases in prosecutions and convictions for these
crimes to help improve victim confidence in the criminal justice system.</p><p>The
Government has committed £80 million to support victims of violence against women
and girls, including, stalking, between 2016 and 2020. This includes funding for the
National Stalking Helpline run by the Suzy Lamplugh Trust. Additionally, we have consulted
on the introduction of a new civil Stalking Protection Order to tackle perpetrators
at an early stage to help prevent victims becoming targets of a prolonged campaign
of abuse. Our response to this consultation will be published in due course. Through
the Police Innovation Fund, we are supporting the police to identify ways to manage
the significant volume of online material in abuse, harassment and stalking cases,
so that evidence can be collected more easily and a strong case built to bring a prosecution.</p>
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