The Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner is proud to launch new training to help frontline professionals identify and respond to evidence of stalking.
The sessions will be delivered online throughout March by national charity the Hollie Gazzard Trust.
Hollie was just 20 years old when she was murdered by her abusive ex-partner while working at a Gloucester hairdressing salon. During their relationship, she was subjected to coercive and controlling behaviour. After she ended the relationship, the abuse escalated into stalking.
Hollie’s family were unaware of the risk she faced. Her ex-partner’s behaviour was not recognised as stalking, and the danger she was in was not fully understood. Her death highlights the devastating consequences of missed opportunities to identify stalking and intervene early.
The training has been commissioned by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly using grant funding from the Ministry of Justice.
It is for anyone working with the public, including:
- Specialist domestic abuse practitionersÂ
- Family support and early help workersÂ
- Victim advocatesÂ
- Social workersÂ
- Housing officersÂ
- Youth workersÂ
- Police officers and staffÂ
- Magistrates/Judiciary Â
- Crown Prosecution ServiceÂ
There are six four-hour sessions being offered and a video of the training will be available online for a year.
The sessions focus on identifying stalking early and protecting those at greatest risk of serious harm.
Stalking behaviour is described by the Crown Prosecution Service as fixated, obsessive, unwanted and repeated. Stalking is a high-risk form of abuse strongly linked to serious violence, yet stalking is frequently misunderstood, minimised, or misidentified as harassment until the risk has escalated.
This project aims to equip professionals with the knowledge and confidence to:
- Identify stalking behaviours earlyÂ
- Understand why ex-partner stalking is high riskÂ
- Recognise how stalking differs from harassmentÂ
- Apply a basic understanding of the law on stalkingÂ
- Assess risk and implement effective safeguardingÂ
- Signpost victims to specialist stalking supportÂ
This training draws on lived experience, evidence, and best practice to strengthen professional responses — and ultimately to help prevent serious harm before it occurs.
To find out more, visit the Hollie Gazzard Trust.
