Four years ago, stalking protection orders were established, enabling law enforcement to order offenders to refrain from approaching or contacting their victims.
Today, all 43 police forces received new legislative instructions from Safeguarding Minister Laura Farris, directing them to use a lower threshold of proof when granting these orders.
In an interview with News, she stated, “Previously, the police would have to meet the criminal standard which is beyond reasonable doubt.” She was speaking at a helpline for victims of stalking.
We’re reducing that today, so all they have to do is convince a judge that a stalker is guilty based on the balance of probabilities, which is akin to a 50-50 test.
