A NEW law to help protect victims of stalking will be brought forward at the Scottish Parliament this week.

The Stalking Protection Bill is designed to make it easier for people to access justice.

Currently, victims of stalking can apply to a civil court for a non-harassment order, the breach of which is a criminal offence.

Former Evening Times Scotswoman of the Year, Ann Moulds, successfully campaigned to have stalking recognised as a criminal offence in 2009.

She has backed the latest proposals to improve access to justice for victims further.

Ms Moulds, founder of Action Against Stalking, has said: “One of the biggest challenges for victims is plucking up the courage to make a report.

“This bill will hopefully give victims more confidence to report as they would be offered protection by the police rather than having to go to a civil court.”

Ms Moulds won the top award in 2014 for her long term campaigning to change the law to recognise stalking.

The new proposals would create stalking protection orders, allowing police to apply to court for a protection order on behalf of a victim of stalking.

It will be brought forward by SNP MSP Rona Mackay, having initially been proposed by party colleague Mairi Gougeon.

The new class of protection order would mean victims would not have to take legal action through the courts - at a time when they may be particularly vulnerable and which may be at their own expense if they do not qualify for legal aid.

Rona Mackay MSP said: “This is an important piece of legislation that could make a real difference to victims of stalking.

“Stalking can have a severe and long-lasting impact on victims, yet the reporting rate for stalking and harassment is low compared to other crimes.”

There were 1372 recorded cases of stalking in 2016/17, double the 605 figure of four years earlier but it is believed that still below 20% of victims had reported the most recent incident of stalking to the police.

Ms Mackay added: “Victims of harassment can currently apply to courts for a non-harassment order - but when somebody is in the vulnerable position of being stalked they may be hesitant about pursuing this, particularly if it comes at their own expense.

“Stalking protection orders would allow police to apply directly to the court on a victims behalf, removing obstacles from accessing justice.

“I look forward to developing these proposals and hope to achieve cross-party support.”