A Presteigne woman who was the victim of stalking, has won an award for her campaign to improve responses to the crime in the region.
A Presteigne woman who was the victim of stalking, has won an award for her campaign to improve responses to the crime in the region.
Anna Napolitano won the volunteer of the year award 2024 at the inaugural Alice Ruggles trust awards held recently.
The 44 year-old was a victim of stalking by a local man and after gaining a very rare five year stalking protection order in court at the time, she decided to campaign for better responses to stalking within the region.
The National Stalking Advocacy Service, defines stalking as a pattern of unwanted, obsessive, and fixated behaviour that is intrusive and causes fear of violence or serious alarm or distress.
Stalking is a form of abuse that can happen to anyone, and it can be perpetrated by someone known to the victim or someone unknown
Anna said: “It was a huge shock to win this award to be up against so many deserving and worthy nominees nationwide, and to be recognised for the tireless campaigning many victims of violence against women crimes take on .
“It was very humbling to be amongst so many sectors and nominees all there for one cause in the memory of Alice Ruggles , who sadly lost her life to stalking , and all fighting for change for such a misunderstood and dangerous crime.”
Anna initially joined the Mid & West Wales Survivor Advisory Panel, a panel for survivors of all forms of violence against women, domestic abuse, and sexual violence, who work collaboratively on the development of Violence Against Women, Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence services, communications, training, and other related projects, across the region.
It is made up of survivors who campaign to create change.
Anna said: “I also joined various other VAWGDASV survivor panels, study groups and victim engagement groups to use my own experiences to fight for change and different more positive outcomes for victims.
“My main objectives have been an increased use of stalking protection order applications, better management of those orders to keep women safe, stalking advocates within the police force , dedicated single point of contacts , and increased victim led training on stalking, especially non-domestic abuse related , and the huge impact it has on your life , which is devastating and life-long .
“As well as awareness of stalking as a whole and the psychological terror it causes .
“Stalking support is very limited in Wales with only national charities available.”
Anna also took her case and campaign work to the MP and Senedd member.
All of her campaign work has been done from home due to chronic health issues and the use of online meetings has opened this up.
Anna added: “I would like to see a multi-agency approach to the seriousness of stalking, involving all sectors to support women in what is a very serious crime, but most importantly the police to fully support, advocate and protect all victims who report stalking.”
The Alice Ruggles Trust Awards, launched in 2024, set out to recognise and celebrate those people and projects doing exceptional work bringing stalking to an end.
By launching the Alice Ruggles Trust Awards the organisers wanted to highlight best practice across the stalking sector with the aim of amplifying what works.
Alice was kind, clever and beautiful.
She had an infectious personality and an incredible sense of humour; she saw the fun side of everything.
She loved life, loved her friends and loved her job. She had so much to live for.
Tragically, Alice was murdered in Gateshead on 12 October 2016, aged just 24, following a brief relationship with Trimaan Dhillon. His controlling behaviour had developed into a relentless campaign of stalking.
The Alice Ruggles Trust has been established to help prevent what happened to Alice happening to others.
It aims are to raise awareness of coercive control and stalking and their dangers, ensure that existing legislation on stalking is effective and adhered to, help and protect victims, including campaigning for legal measures and support relevant research
For more information and support on stalking visit www.paladinservice.co.uk
