A FREE service offering support and advocacy to victims has been extended for another two years.

First commissioned by Thames Valley Police and Crime Commissioner, Matthew Barber, in March 2023, the free service, which is delivered by Aurora New Dawn in partnership with Victims First, will now continue through 2028.

The service offers practical advice, trauma-informed emotional support, and advocacy for victims of stalking through a team of Independent Stalking Advocacy Caseworkers (ISACs).

It comes amid National Stalking Awareness Week (April 20-26 ).

Stalking is a pattern of fixated, obsessive, unwanted and repeated behaviour (FOUR) that makes another person feel frightened, intimidated or unsafe.

Common behaviours include persistent phone calls, text messages or messages on social media, emails, letters or notes, sending of unwanted gifts or items, following the victim or showing up wherever they are.

They also include waiting at the victim’s workplace, home, other venue like a gym or place of worship or loitering around their neighbourhood, befriending friends or family to get closer to the victim and cyberstalking–using the internet to pursue, harass or contact.

Matthew Barber, Police and Crime Commissioner for Thames Valley, said: “Stalking is a psychological as well as a physical crime and has a devastating impact on victims and their feelings of safety. Many victims live with heightened anxiety, fear and stress in addition to feeling forced to change their daily routines and places they visit.

“The Thames Valley Stalking Service provides vital advocacy and support for victims helping them improve their feelings of safety, regain their confidence and ultimately, rebuild their lives.

“We know from the feedback from service users that the Thames Valley Stalking Service is making a huge difference to the lives of local stalking victims.

“I am delighted to have recently confirmed a £350,000 two-year funding extension with Aurora New Dawn to ensure this vital provision continues in the Thames Valley.”

Brianne Atkins, Service Manager from Aurora New Dawn, said: “We extend our thanks and appreciation to the Thames Valley Police and Crime Commissioner for the 2-year extension for our vital stalking service allowing us to continue supporting victims in the Thames Valley.

“We strive to ensure victims voices are heard and are offered a high standard of support through their experiences of stalking.

If you are in need of support and think you are being stalked, please contact us on 02392 479 254.”

If you are experiencing fixated, obsessive, unwanted and repeated behaviours, you can contact Victims First for support.

They will speak about available support and you may then be referred to the Thames Valley Stalking Service.

You can contact Victims First by phone – 0300 1234 148 – or via live chat at www.victims-first.org.uk.

Alternatively, you can contact Aurora New Dawn directly on 02392 479 254.

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