It is ironic, I find myself thinking, that seconds after I speak to Ann Moulds, anti-stalking campaigner and former ET Scotswoman of the Year, a story pops up on my news feed about the brutal stalking and murder of Alice Ruggles.

I’ve been speaking to Ann this week about the first national anti-stalking conference, which is taking place in Glasgow today, attended by some of the country’s finest minds and strongest voices against stalking and domestic violence.

The event is a UK first, and it has been organised by Ann’s charity Action Against Stalking, which campaigns tirelessly for victims of stalking.

Because of AAS, laws have been changed not just here in Scotland, but all over the UK and around Europe.

And while this small charity, driven by one woman’s frustration at the lack of support for victims of stalking after her own, terrifying experience, has made a huge difference in such a short time, the case of Alice Ruggles demonstrates how much there is still to do.

Alice Ruggles was 24 when she had her throat cut by an ex-boyfriend who had stalked her for months, hacking into her Facebook account to monitor her movements, sending her pleading messages, knocking on her bedroom window at night.

Because of what happened to Alice, another mother is composing herself to speak to the media, trying to retain her dignity and sanity in the face of unimaginable grief; another charity has been set up in a bid to help stop more violence; another family is left in tatters and the police and justice systems are left asking themselves some tough questions.

After the verdict Alice’s family released a statement through the Suzy Lamplugh Trust, which helps people avoid becoming victims of violence, in which they said her loss would stay with them for the rest of their lives.

Her mother Sue said: “I just keep thinking I can’t believe we didn’t identify the signs of stalking - but you just don’t know when it’s going on.”

Sue’s words echo something Ann told me, way back at the beginning of her campaign to have the laws changed.

She said that often, victims simply didn’t realise what was happening to them was stalking, or that stalking is much more than harassment. They felt uncomfortable, or scared, but couldn’t quite put into words exactly what it was that was alarming them.

The warning signs are varied, random. It could be an unwanted gift, constant text messages, an acquaintance turning up at a venue where they know you will be.

Sometimes stalkers create a crisis for their targets so they can come to their rescue, like your mobile phone or keys going missing and then being returned by the perpetrator.

“Stalking exists in many forms,” she told me. “And it is terrifying - it can affect every aspect of your life.”

Ann walked away from her stalking ordeal and is now a strong, loud voice, speaking up for victims.

Alice Ruggles was not so fortunate. There is much work still to do and today’s conference in Glasgow is a fantastic step forward.

But more must be done to highlight the dangers and protect the victims, before another tragic tale, another Alice, dominates the news once more.