Consultation Response: Stalking in Northern Ireland

​The Department of Justice launched a consultation on the creation of a new offence of stalking in Northern Ireland in November 2018.

The consultation considers whether the current Northern Ireland legislation used to deal with stalking is effective whilst also examining the experience in other jurisdictions where specific offences of stalking exist. The Bar’s response highlights that the experience of practitioners suggests that the legislative tools for dealing with stalking behaviours are robust in nature and presently allow for prosecutions in this area.

The Bar also recognises that there may be benefit in exploring the feasibility of evolving our current laws to create a consolidated piece of legislation but changing the law in this area will not suffice in terms of addressing the issue of stalking. There is also an essential need for public awareness raising and greater education around the complex nature of stalking.

Read the Bar’s response to the consultation.