The Stalking Conference 2023: Protecting Victims and Tackling Perpetrators

2022 marked a decade since stalking became a criminal offence, enabling victims of stalking and harassment to achieve legal outcomes against their perpetrators. However, an analysis from the National Stalking Consortium published last year claims that the quality of protection and prosecution services is broadly insufficient.

Their Super-complaint recommends that more should be done to protect victims, intercept offenders, and investigate claims. Better collaboration between agencies is a key recommendation for meeting these requirements.

Professionals working with both victims and perpetrators of stalking must come together to deliver better safeguarding services and improve public perception.

• The Office for National Statistics (ONS) estimates that 2.5 million people every year experience stalking in England and Wales
• The National Police Chiefs Council (NPCC) found stalking crimes rose by 18,000 in the period between 2018 and 2022
• According to the National Stalking Consortium, just 5% of stalking cases in England and Wales result in a charge by the CPS.

Make sure you join this year’s Stalking Conference: Protecting Victims and Tackling Perpetrators – a must attend event for everyone working in this critical area:

• High Level Keynotes – Receive the latest recommendations from senior figures across the police and criminal justice system
• Lived Experiences – Hear from a survivor and use their experiences, feedback, and advice to improve your services and support
• Best Practice Case Studies – Discover how others addressed the same challenges you face and learn from their experiences. Key focus areas include improving victim safety, increasing rates of prosecution and partnership-working
• Panel Discussions – Senior stalking and safeguarding leads provide guidance and tips on how to implement a Multi-Agency Stalking Initiative Programme (MASIP) and strategies for maintaining a victim first approach
• Networking and Debates – In breakout groups, discuss the main challenges you face with other delegates from a range of different organisation
• Live Chat – Connect with the other delegates via or virtual events platform – before, during, and after the conference
• Q&A – Question the speakers, get the answers you need, and discover the challenges your counterparts are experiencing
• 8 Hours of CPD – Alongside gaining valuable insights and inspiration, your time out of the office will also work towards your own development targets
• Go Green – Our digital events mean you can take part from the comfort of your office or home reducing the carbon footprint and saving you time and money.

NEW AND EXCLUSIVE TO YOUR
CONFERENCE PACKAGE – GE Insights:

This year’s conference package includes 12-months FREE access to GE Insights, our cross-sector learning resource of case study focused videos, articles, lived experiences and more (RRP £199). Gain unlimited access to our online platform when you purchase your conference ticket.

Key benefits include:

 ✓100s of Exclusive Case Studies – fingertip access to videos and articles covering all key sectors including Police & Criminal Justice, and ALL CPD certified

 ✓Key Sessions from All Our Conferences – gain valuable insights from our past, present, and future events (160+ pa)

 ✓Articles and Interviews – learn from our network of expert speakers and contributors explore further the key discussions from the conferences

 ✓Additional CPD Hours – automatically earn more for everything you watch, read, and hear

 ✓Your Own CPD Dashboard – charts your progress, allows you to add notes, download your activities, and save/print an official CPD certificate

 ✓Personalised Homepage – only see the relevant content you need to save time

 ✓30+ New Uploads Each Month – we’re adding new content every week to ensure you stay engaged and informed all year round.

For more information or to make a booking please call 0330 058 4285

• 09:00

  Online Registration

• 09:50

  Chair’s Opening Remarks

  Dr Katherine Allen, Senior Research Fellow, Institute for Social Justice and Crime, University of Suffolk (CONFIRMED)

• 10.00

  Keynote: Stalking: Changing Mindsets to Intervene Early and Prevent Future Harm

  • National overview of current rates and trends of stalking crimes and offences
  • Tools for working with schools and young people to identify and tackle early perpetrator behaviour
  • Ideas for education campaigns to raise public awareness of stalking and forms of digital abuse

  Professor Clive Ruggles, Co-Founder, Alice Ruggles Trust (CONFIRMED)

• 10.20

  Questions and Answers

• 10.30

  Keynote: Improving the Police Response to Stalking by Implementing Systemic Change

  • Recommendations for accessing grants to fund permanent Stalking Advocates and trial programmes to enrich a force’s response to stalking
  • Tools for implementing a force-wide recognition of stalking and harassment, particularly within indirect investigations
  • Developing a streamlined application process for applying for Stalking Protection Orders (SPOs)
  • Outreach: schemes to encourage frontline officers to be proactive in their communities to improve public trust in officers
  • Guidance on digital evidence retrieval to respond to the rising threat of cyberstalking

  Katy Bourne, Police and Crime Commissioner for Sussex & lead for stalking in Wales and England, APCC (CONFIRMED)

• 10.50

  Questions and Answers

• 11.00

  Comfort Break

• 11.15

  Case Study: Utilising Stalking Protection Orders and Improving Rates of Solved Outcomes

  • Training staff to become Stalking Champions and provide support and guidance to colleagues
  • Tips for identifying areas needing improvement within an SPO application process and finding solutions
  • Initiatives to ensure effective communication between partner agencies to secure early intervention with an SPO
  • Guidance on collaborating with victim services agencies to ensure wraparound support whilst investigations are conducted

  Lisa Herrington, Head of Policy and Commissioning, Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Surrey (CONFIRMED)

  Caroline Hill, Stalking Force Advisor, Surrey Police (CONFIRMED)

• 11.35

  Case Study: Providing Emotional and Legal Assistance to Limit Distress and Maximise Victim Wellbeing

  • Communicating victims’ rights according to the Victims Code and reassuring victims they are not at fault
  • Ensuring a victim’s immediate safety through co-designing a bespoke safety plan to address their specific needs
  • Navigating the criminal justice system: strategies for sensitively approaching building a legal case with a victim
  • Best practice in working with police and prosecution services on behalf of victims to be their main point of contact

  Claudia Ortiz, Director, Veritas Justice (CONFIRMED)

• 11:55

  Case Study: Equipping Young People to Avoid Stalking and Build Healthy Relationships

  • Cyberstalking: mapping the current landscape of digital stalking post lockdown
  • Working with RSHE leads to design lessons covering healthy social media practice, relationship boundaries and managing unwanted behaviours
  • Incorporating pupil and teacher feedback to drive improvements and respond to young people’s needs
  • Sharing best practice with other constabularies: tips for exchanging information and resources

  Kerry Pope, Detective Chief Inspector, Derbyshire Constabulary (CONFIRMED)

• 12.15

  Questions and Answers 

• 12.35

  Lunch Break

• 13.15

  Panel: Implementing a Multi-Agency Stalking Initiative Programme (MASIP): Collaborating to Intercept Perpetrators and Safeguard Victims

  • Forward Planning: using multiagency forums to identify risks and create mitigation plans
  • Guidance on joint working and local level information sharing to streamline processes
  • Tips for learning from pilot schemes to develop long term anti-stalking infrastructure
  • Strategies for maintaining a victim-first approach in a multi-agency action plan, ensuring victim needs are forefront

  David Thomason, Detective Sergeant, Cheshire Police (CONFIRMED)

  Alison Bird, Services Director and Clinical Lead for Stalking, Changing Pathways (CONFIRMED)

  Dr Alan Underwood, Clinical psychologist, Stalking Threat Assessment Centre (STAC) and National Stalking Clinic (NSC), Lecturer, Forensic Mental Health, Queen Mary (CONFIRMED)

• 13:55

  Questions and Answers 

• 14.15

  Breakout Networking: Reflections and Challenges in Dealing with Harassment and Tackling Stalking

  This session will provide you with the opportunity to discuss the main challenges you face in tackling stalking and harassment. You will be able to share your experiences and network with colleagues from a range of organisations.

• 14.45

  Comfort Break

• 15:00

  Lived Experience: Engaging with Stalking Survivors to Understand their Experiences and Improve Services 

  • ‘My Story’ – a survivor’s experience of being stalked and the effect it had on their life
  • Sharing experiences of the police, the conviction process and stalking support services: what was useful and what needs improving?
  • Advice for engaging with stalking survivors to give them a voice and help them access support and rebuild their lives
  • Recommendations for improving stalking support provision using lived experience expertise

  Lived Experience Representative (CONFIRMED)

• 15.20

  Case Study: Empowering Victims of Stalking and Harassment to Speak Out and Supporting Them to Move Forward

  • Guidance for adopting an organisation-wide victim-centred and trauma informed response
  • Recommendations for supporting victims of all forms of impact including cyberstalking
  • Sharing resources and demonstrating the role of specialist training in identifying and monitoring risks
  • Strategies for supporting victims with protective orders including SPOs to protect their ongoing safety

  Saskia Garner, Head of Policy and Campaigns, Suzy Lamplugh Trust (CONFIRMED)

• 15.40

  Questions and Answers 

• 16.00

  Chair’s Closing Remarks

  *programme subject to change without notice

Who Should Attend?

Delegates who will have an interest in this event will be law enforcement, local authority, healthcare and voluntary sector professionals working to support victims and prevent perpetrators of stalking and harassment

*This Conference is open to Public, Private and Third Sectors

For more information or to make a booking please call 0330 058 4285

We are now taking bookings for our wide range of sponsorship and exhibition packages; we also offer bespoke packages tailored for your organisation.

Why Sponsor and Exhibit at this event:

✓ Network with key decision makers from across the sector
✓ Meet your target audience
✓ Listen and Learn from leading industry experts from across the sector
✓ Opportunity to demonstrate your products or services
✓ Speak alongside industry leading experts
✓ Work with your dedicated account manager to generate the maximum amount of leads

Exhibition and Sponsorship Packages:

Strategic Headline Sponsor:

• 20-minute speaking slot followed by Q&A
• 3x2m Exhibition Space (In the Refreshments and Catering room)
• Pre show marketing email to all registered delegates
• Post show inclusion on presentation email
• Branding on Website and Event Guide (Logo and 100 Word Profile)
• A4 Insert or A4 Chair Drop
• 5 Delegate Conference Passes
• 1 Speaker Pass

Key Supporter Package:

• 20-minute speaking slot followed by Q&A
• Branding on Website and Event Guide (Logo and 100 Word Profile)
• A4 Insert or Chair Drop
• 1 Speaker Pass
• 2 Delegate Conference Passes

Exhibition Stand:

• 3x2m Exhibition Space (In the Refreshments and Catering room)
• Power, Wifi, Table and 2 Chairs (If required)
• Branding on Website and Event Guide (Logo and 100 Word Profile)
• 2 Delegate Conference Passes
• 1 Stand Manager Pass

Insert or Chair Drop:

• 1 Delegate Conference Pass
• A4 insert into delegate pack or A4 Chair Drop

For more information or to discuss your requirements, please contact the team on 0330 0584 285, or sponsorship@governmentevents.co.uk or complete our enquiry form and we will contact you.

• Public Sector Rate: £449.00+VAT
• Voluntary Sector Rate: £379.00+VAT
• Private Sector Rate: £649.00+VAT