A health provider has been honoured for its work with stalking perpetrators.
Hampshire & Isle of Wight Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust (HIOW Healthcare), formerly known as Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust, received the Challenging Behaviours accolade at The Alice Ruggles Trust's inaugural awards ceremony last week.
The Alice Ruggles Trust is a leading UK charity dedicated to ending stalking.
HIOW Healthcare is part of the Multi-Agency Stalking Partnership (MASP), which was launched in April 2023.
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The partnership was formed after a successful bid led by the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) to the Home Office for more than £1m in funding to combat stalking.
The psychologist-led intervention works with stalking perpetrators to address the root causes of their behaviour, aiming to reduce the risk of reoffending.
The partnership also provides support for stalking victims.
The partnership involves Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary, the Probation Service and the PCC's Stalking Advocacy and Support Service.
These agencies collaborate to tackle stalking across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.
Since 2023, they have reviewed more than 890 stalking cases, offering expert advice on investigations and the management of perpetrators.
Each intervention is tailored to the individual's specific needs, with victim safety being a primary concern.
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Since its inception in 2023, 47 individuals have participated in the programme.
Sixteen have completed the intervention, and only three of these 16 have reoffended.
The health team has also trained more than 1,400 criminal justice professionals in understanding stalking and collaborated with more than 130 probation staff to improve responses to this crime.
Dr Kirsty Butcher, HIOW Healthcare’s clinical lead, said: "Addressing the psychological issues that underlie stalking is vital in rehabilitating those who engage in stalking and preventing the creation of further victims.
"Our team work tirelessly to do this, and we are grateful to have our innovative work recognised by such an esteemed stalking charity as The Alice Ruggles Trust."
For more information about stalking in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, visit the Foundation Trust’s MASP service or the Stalking Advocacy and Support Service webpages.
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