Photo: Laurence Smith / STUFF NZ LTD
A clinical psychologist and domestic violence specialist is calling for a specific law to tackle stalking, saying the current piecemeal approach isn't working for victims.
Stalking and harassment are currently covered by different pieces of legislation, including the Harassment Act, the Family Violence Act and the Harmful Digital Communications Act.
Clinical psychologist Dr Alison Towns has spent the last 30 years working with domestic violence survivors, as well as doing research into the topic. She is part of the Coalition for the Safety of Women and Children, and also helped establish the Family Violence Death Review Committee.
Dr Towns says New Zealand needs a criminal stalking law, and police need to be better trained to identify and respond to stalking.
Since 2020, successive Ministers of Justice have acknowledged the legislation needs to be reviewed, but work has since stalled.
Alison Towns says stalking is a risk factor for further physical and sexual violence, and the delay is frustrating.
Susie speaks with Dr Towns and also Chris Macklin, the convenor of the Law Society's Criminal Law Committee.
