Stalking: Final Report (html)

This report contains 45 recommendations for stalking law reform. They aim to improve the ways that the justice system treats people who have experienced stalking in a non-family violence context.

The report recommends that victims should have easier access to financial and practical support, such as technology to prevent cyberstalking. Victims should be supported by independent advocates to guide them through every stage, from reporting the stalking activity to accessing support services and any court actions.

The report also recommends improvements to the personal safety intervention order (PSIO) system. The system is currently swamped, so non-family violence stalking matters do not receive the attention they need. The VLRC recommends developing guidance on how to identify and prioritise stalking cases.

Another recommendation calls for the Crimes Act to be amended to make the stalking offence clearer and easier to apply.

• Preface
• Terms of reference
• Executive summary
• Glossary
• Recommendations
• 1. Introduction
• 2. Stalking and justice
• 3. Responses to cyberstalking
• 4. Understanding and responding effectively to stalking
• 5. Supporting people who experience stalking
• 6. Personal safety intervention orders and the civil response
  to stalking
• 7. Criminal law responses to stalking
• 8. Responding to people who stalk
• Appendices
• Bibliography