This Sexual Violence and Abuse Awareness Week, a new stalking support service, Safer Steps, has been announced in West Yorkshire to support children and adults to stay safe from stalking.
Safer Steps will be delivered by the new West Yorkshire Stalking Support Hub (WYSSH), a partnership between Leeds Women’s Aid, Staying Put, WomenCentre, Pennine Domestic Abuse Partnership and Cranstoun, and funded by West Yorkshire Combined Authority.
The Safer Steps team will support victim-survivors who have been stalked to regain their safety, and act as advocates between victim-survivors and agencies like the police, helping them to navigate criminal justice processes. A core aim of the service is to address the growing prevalence of cyberstalking, supporting victim-survivors with digital interventions that reduce risk and increase safety and confidence.
From February, Safer Steps will offer support to individuals experiencing stalking within a domestic abuse context, perpetrated by a current or former partner or family member. In the spring, the service will expand to support people affected by all forms of stalking, marking the first time specialist support will be available for people being stalked by someone they are not in a relationship with.
Nik Peasgood, Chief Executive of Leeds Women’s Aid, lead partner in WYSSH, said:
“With over 9,000 stalking crimes reported in West Yorkshire in 2024, we are proud to be launching Safer Steps, an essential, dedicated service for victim-survivors of stalking.
“Innovation is at the heart of our response. We will not only provide specialist one-to-one support, but also help educate and raise awareness of digital safety in West Yorkshire.
“The West Yorkshire Stalking Support Hub combines over 100 years of experience in supporting those affected by abuse, and we look forward to working collaboratively to make our region safer.”
Mayor of West Yorkshire Tracy Brabin said:
“Stalking is a horrendous crime, which can have a truly debilitating effect on victims and survivors.
“In an increasingly digital age, it’s crucial that we’re able to respond to the nature of these crimes as they evolve, such as cyberstalking and online harassment, where perpetrators use other people and online tools to help harass or gather information on their target.
“Our new ‘Safer Steps’ service will focus on innovation, bringing together local experience and expertise, whilst expanding the support available.”
Safer Steps will work closely with the Suzy Lamplugh Trust, drawing on national expertise and best practice. The service will also apply to join 21 other specialist providers within the National Stalking Consortium, marking the first time West Yorkshire has been represented on this national body.
Individuals can contact Safer Steps directly, or through police referrals from February, with further referral pathways opening over the coming months.
To learn more, visit the Safer Steps website: https://safersteps.uk/