Sussex Police Commissioner reaffirms commitment to tackling violence against women and girls
Efforts to fight stalking and support survivors remain central in Sussex.
Last updated 25th Nov 2025
Sussex Police & Crime Commissioner Katy Bourne has reinforced her commitment to supporting victims and tackling violence against women and girls (VAWG) as the county marks White Ribbon Day.
White Ribbon Day serves as a national reminder of the urgent need to address crimes such as stalking, domestic abuse, and sexual violence, which disproportionately affect women. Bourne has been a dedicated supporter of White Ribbon since 2012, integrating these priorities into her Police and Crime Plan.
Veritas Justice, a specialist service funded by the Police and Crime Commissioner, provided assistance to over 2,000 stalking victims in Sussex during 2024/25, offering free and confidential advice.
Bourne also invests in programmes aimed at changing the behaviour of perpetrators, including the Sussex High Harm Perpetrator Programme, designed for persistent offenders with complex needs.
“Through the proactive use of Stalking Protection Orders, survivors of stalking are receiving the security and protection they desperately need from their perpetrator, allowing them to start navigating their way back to ‘normal’ life,” Katy Bourne said.
Sussex was the first area in the country to implement Stalking Protection Orders (SPOs), a legal tool to impose restrictions on perpetrators and safeguard victims effectively.
SPOs can include conditions such as banning contact with the victim, prohibiting entry to specific locations, and mandating attendance at behaviour change programmes, including Compulsive Obsessive Behaviour Intervention (COBI).
Speaking about the importance of SPOs, Detective Sergeant Kerri Bartup from Sussex Police’s Complex Abuse Unit explained:
“Unwanted fixated behaviour can impact every part of a victim’s life and, if left to continue, can lead to violence and other serious offences.
Our partnership work within the Complex Domestic Abuse and Stalking Unit ensures we provide the best possible service to survivors, including seeking a Stalking Protection Order to protect them.
If you are being subjected to any suspicious or unwanted behaviour, no matter how minor it may feel, please report it to us. We will take it seriously and we will make sure you are safe.”
Sussex Police continues to collaborate with partners to ensure reforms, provide better support for victims, and raise wider community awareness of the dangers stalking poses.
Anyone experiencing stalking or unwanted behaviour is urged to report it to Sussex Police by visiting their website or calling 101.
In urgent situations where immediate help is needed, always dial 999.