Rising Celebrity Reports of Stalking Signify Greater Public Awareness, Says Senior Prosecutor
In a notable shift in societal attitudes towards stalking, senior Crown Prosecutor Olivia Rose reported a significant increase in prosecuted stalking offences, with numbers doubling from 2,512 in 2020-21 to 5,859 in 2023-24. Speaking during National Stalking Awareness Week, Rose emphasized that this surge is a positive development, giving victims—celebrities and non-celebrities alike—the confidence to report their experiences.
Rose shared insights with the PA news agency, highlighting the isolating nature of cyber stalking, which affects victims in the comfort of their own homes. “Victims can’t escape their abuse,” she stated. High-profile cases involving celebrities such as Cheryl Tweedy and Fern Britton have brought increased attention to this issue, but Rose cautioned against the misconception that only celebrities experience stalking.
She noted, “The majority of the victims that we see are not celebrities,” and underscored the need for robust support systems for all victims, including measures to facilitate their testimony in court without facing their offenders directly.
In a nod to the impact of popular culture, Rose mentioned the influence of the Netflix series "Adolescence," urging that such media can play a role in raising awareness about stalking among younger audiences. However, she stressed the importance of educating youth to avoid normalizing harmful online behavior.
With the prosecution of young offenders on the rise, Rose expressed hope that increased awareness will drive positive changes within the justice system, reassuring victims that improvements are being made to address their concerns. The prosecutor concluded with a firm message: “You will not get away with this. It’s not acceptable, and it has to stop.”
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