For some unknown reason, the Stalking Intervention Orders Act 2008 is not part of the Family Violence Protection Act 2008.

I don’t know about you, but I’ve heard very little about it. In fact, the first I heard of it was when a magistrate mentioned it a few weeks ago. (I’m dumbstruck we haven’t heard more about it.)

The legislation is pretty straightforward. Those of us who dealt regularly with applications under the Crimes (Family Violence) Act 1987 will find the new legislation substantially replicates the previous procedure: it allows the Court to grant intervention orders if required to protect victims of stalking, distinct from victims of family violence.

Are there many applications under this legislation? I haven’t seen any myself. Perhaps, given the nature of it, very few represented applications are being made. Perhaps a side-effect of a separate Act is reduced stalking applications?