Stalking Protection Act 2019
| Act of Parliament | |
.svg) | |
| Long title | An Act to make provision for orders to protect persons from risks associated with stalking; and for connected purposes. |
|---|---|
| Citation | 2019 c. 9 |
| Introduced by | Dr. Sarah Wollaston (Commons) Baroness Bertin (Lords) |
| Territorial extent | England and Wales[b] |
| Dates | |
| Royal assent | 15 March 2019 |
| Commencement |
|
| Other legislation | |
| Amended by | |
| Relates to | |
Status: Amended | |
| History of passage through Parliament | |
| Text of statute as originally enacted | |
| Revised text of statute as amended | |
| Text of the Stalking Protection Act 2019 as in force today (including any amendments) within the United Kingdom, from legislation.gov.uk. | |
The Stalking Protection Act 2019 (c. 9) is an act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom put forward as a private member's bill by then Conservative MP Sarah Wollaston, and sponsored by Baroness Bertin, which creates a civil protection order to prevent stalking.[1][2][3]
Background
[edit]In 2012, the Government amended the Protection from Harassment Act 1997 to introduce two new stalking offences, however, there were little protections where the perpetrator is not a partner or ex-partner, with this act aiming to address these concerns.[4]
The Crime Survey for England and Wales reports that more than 1 in 5 women and nearly 1 in 10 men aged 16 to 59 have been victims of stalking since the age of 16. In 2017 to 2018 there were 1,616 prosecutions commenced under stalking offences, with 73% related to domestic abuse.[3]
Passage
[edit]The bill was introduced in the House of Commons on 19 July 2017. It received its second reading on 19 January 2018 and its third reading on 23 November 2018. It was introduced in the House of Lords on 26 November 2018. It received its second reading on 18 January 2019 and its third reading on 6 March 2019. It received Royal Assent on 15 March 2019.[3][5]
Provisions
[edit]The act established stalking protection orders, which limit a stalker's activities. The Police can apply for this via a magistrate's court, which could enable restrictions to be applied to stop stalking behaviour.[6][7][8]
The legislation was designed to protect against "stranger stalkers".[9]
Commencement
[edit]Parts of the act commenced immediately, whilst others commenced at a later date, such as Stalking Protection Orders which came into force in January 2020.[3][10]
Notes
[edit]- ↑ Section 15(4).
- ↑ Section 15(1).
- ↑ Section 15(2)–(3). The Stalking Protection Act 2019 (Commencement) Regulations 2020 (SI 2020/26).
References
[edit]- ↑ Home Office (2019). Stalking Protection Act 2019: Explanatory Notes (PDF). London. p. 3.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link) - ↑ Murphy, Joe (6 March 2019). "Gabby Bertin: 'If you are given an honour you have to use it properly'". The Standard. Retrieved 17 July 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 Atkins, Victoria (15 March 2019). "Government backed Stalking Protection Bill receives Royal Assent". GOV.UK. Retrieved 4 May 2020.
- ↑ Stalking Protection Act 2019: Summary, Analysis & Evidence (PDF). Home Office. 2019. p. 2.
- ↑ "Stalking Protection Act 2019 Annex A - Hansard References". www.legislation.gov.uk. Retrieved 17 July 2026.
- ↑ Kelly, Rory (2020). "The Problematic Development of the Stalking Protection Order". The Modern Law Review. 83 (2): 406–427. ISSN 0026-7961.
- ↑ "The UK's femicide epidemic: who's killing our daughters?". The Guardian. 26 April 2021. Retrieved 13 February 2026.
- ↑ "Using Stalking Protection Orders (SPO) to better protect victims in Warwickshire". www.warwickshire.police.uk. 3 December 2024. Retrieved 17 July 2026.
- ↑ "The week ahead in Parliament". BBC News. 12 January 2018. Retrieved 13 February 2026.
- ↑ Goymer, Philippa; Grewar, Calum (27 January 2025). "Stalking protection orders very rarely used". BBC News. Retrieved 13 February 2026.
External links
[edit]
The full text of Stalking Protection Act 2019 at Wikisource- Text of the Stalking Protection Act 2019 as in force today (including any amendments) within the United Kingdom, from legislation.gov.uk.
- Text of the Stalking Protection Act 2019 as originally enacted or made within the United Kingdom, from legislation.gov.uk.
