BECOMING Evening Times Scotswoman of the Year 2013 meant much more to Ann Moulds than trophies and titles.

 

It gave her back her identity.

As she prepares to hand over her crown tomorrow evening, Ann reflects upon an exciting and emotional 12 months.

ANN FOTHERINGHAM reports.

FEW people who were in the room at last year's SWOTY dinner in the City Chambers will forget the winner's speech.

After a moment of stunned silence, Ann Moulds, who campaigned successfully to have anti-stalking laws changed after her own horrific ordeal, found her voice.

The few minutes which followed revealed how hard-fought her victory had been - her struggle to cope after a man she thought was a friend terrorised her for two years, making her scared to stay in her own house; her despair at the way she was treated by the justice system; her fear that she might never recover.

But in listening to that speech, her audience also understood that here was a woman full of strength and determination, who waived her right to anonymity and campaigned for tougher laws. Her tenacity resulted in sweeping changes in Scotland, the rest of the UK and in 47 European countries.

"I was shocked and amazed when my name was read out as the winner," smiles Ann, relaxing over coffee at home in Ayrshire.

"I didn't really stop to think, when I was campaigning, about what others thought of me, I just wanted to get the job done. So to suddenly have that recognition and approval, it made me feel credible, as a campaigner, as a humanitarian."

She pauses. "No it's more than that - it gave me back my identity," she nods. "Up until that point, I had been a victim. Winning SWOTY wiped that right off the slate."

The last 12 months have been a whirlwind of campaigning and celebration for Ann, whose charity Action Scotland Against Stalking has been behind a number of successful initiatives.

As well as the ratification of the European treaty, which saw tough anti-stalking laws introduced across the continent, Ann was delighted to have the support of Police Scotland and the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service, who have put stalking high on their agenda.

"COPFS appointed a national lead for stalking and I was invited to speak at Police Scotland's national conference - the first time stalking has taken centre stage on such a level," explains Ann.

"The work done on the new domestic abuse bill, too, has made great strides - finally, recognition that these kinds of predatory psychological crimes have to be tackled.

"Our work in schools, with South Ayrshire Council, saw the launch of an anti-stalking DVD for young people, which is now being rolled out in other local authority areas.

"And we launched a campaign to tackle injustice in the civil system, which is going well."

She laughs: "It has been a busy, exhausting year but such good progress has been made and that's all credit to everyone who has supported me, including the police and Crown Office, who have been fantastic."

Ann's courage in using her story to give victims of stalking a voice won her several accolades in 2014, following on from her success at SWOTY last February.

In September she was honoured with a civic reception in Ayrshire, attended by local dignatories, Solicitor General Lesley Thompson and Leslie Brown, the new Crown Office national lead officer on stalking.

And after being invited to judge some of the entries for the Suzy Lamplugh Trust's National Safety Awards, Ann found she had won one of the top prizes, being named Inspiring Individual of the Year.

"It was really lovely to be honoured in Ayrshire, and such a surprise to win one of the Suzy Lamplugh awards - I was overwhelmed," she smiles.

Tomorrow evening, a new SWOTY will be crowned. First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, Parkinson's disease champion Maria Righetti, Clydeside Action on Asbestos chairperson Phyllis Craig, mental health campaigner Laura Nolan, anti-sectarianism activist Cara Henderson and Paralympic sprinter Libby Clegg are all vying for the title.

Whoever wins, Ann has a few words of advice for her.

"Make winning SWOTY work for whatever cause is close to your heart," she says. "Use it to raise awareness, and above all, recognise your achievement."

She smiles: "And enjoy it. It is a huge honour to be named Scotswoman of the Year, so make the most of every second."