Victim Believes New Stalking Measures Would Have Shortened Her Suffering

A Brighton woman who experienced online stalking has stated that her suffering would not have lasted as long if new government guidance had been in effect during her ordeal. Abby Furness was targeted by an individual who created fake social media accounts to disseminate false information about her. Ms. Furness recounted developing paranoia because law enforcement did not disclose the man’s identity, stating: “You literally accuse everyone. I accused my family, my best friends, people at school. If someone looked at me in the street I would think it’s them.” The 25-year-old has expressed approval for the ministers’ suggested “right to know” statutory guidance, designed to grant officers the authority to disclose the identities of online stalkers more promptly. She commented: “I think in my situation it would have changed the whole scenario. I wouldn’t have suffered for as long as I did.” Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has stated that the government intends to utilize “every tool available” to disempower abusers. Stalking Protection Orders, which allow for prohibiting alleged stalkers from making contact with or approaching within a specified distance of their victims, are also slated for broader implementation. Katy Bourne, the Sussex Police and Crime Commissioner, who herself endured five years of stalking, has endorsed the new provisions but emphasized that additional efforts are required from police forces and other relevant agencies. She remarked: “Agencies are going to be sharing data better together and that’s got to be a good thing for victims of stalking who very often fall between the cracks because a bit of information vitally is held by one organisation and not another and they don’t share it.” Follow BBC Sussex on Facebook, on X and on Instagram. Send your story ideas to southeasttoday@bbc.co.uk or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250.Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.