LEADING figures from Scotland’s police and justice authorities are backing the launch of a new resource in the fight against stalking.

Designed by former Evening Times Scotswoman of the Year Ann Moulds, the Victim Impact Box aims to help those affected by stalking, as well as investigators and prosecutors.

Ms Moulds explained: “There is plenty of advice on the internet telling victims of stalking to report it to the police and keep safe , but as useful as this is, it does not help explain how victims should go about these tasks.

“The Victim Impact Box aims to bridge this gap. It will act as a step by step approach to reporting stalking to the police, logging incidents, gathering evidence and keeping safe, which in turn will provide crucial information about the impact and disruption on the victim’s life. This information will be useful when the case goes to court.

“We hope it will serve as an interface between the victim and the system, assisting the police in the investigation of stalking cases and other related predatory crimes, and offering sound knowledge, advice and guidance to victims.”

Ms Moulds launched Action Against Stalking (formerly Action Scotland Against Stalking) in 2009, following her own experience of stalking and the legal aftermath.

Her campaign to change the law and introduce tougher sentences for stalkers was successful in Scotland, across the UK and in Europe.

A major breakthrough in Scotland was the introduction of the Offence of Stalking Section 39 Criminal Justice and Licensing (Scot) Act 2010, which set a blueprint for England and Wales to follow with the Offence of Stalking as an amendment into the Protection of Freedoms Act (2012).

The campaign expanded to Europe and in 2011, stalking was successfully inserted into the Council of Europe’s European Convention (Istanbul Treaty), the only legally binding treaty of its kind.

And in recent weeks, the Irish Reform Commission has recommended a specific ‘Offence of Stalking’ to be introduced into Irish Law.

Ms Moulds explained: “Collectively these pieces of legislation herald the transformation of stalking from a perceived ‘annoyance’ to what it is - a dangerous, deviant, social syndrome.”

She added: “This devastating crime impacted on every aspect of my life - physically, emotionally and financially.

“But back then, behaviours that we now know as stalking were often ignored by the police, support services and criminal justice authorities, rendering victims like myself vulnerable and unprotected.

“I was continually reminded that my stalker would have to attack me first before anything could be done.

“Stalking is a major human rights issue, which cuts across the whole of society.”