Nearly 1000 stalking warnings, 140 charges, but 0 convictions

Nearly 1000 notices warning potential stalkers about their behaviour have been issued since new stalking and harassment laws came into effect earlier this year, along with 140 charges, but no convictions.

The Ministry of justice said 19 of the 140 charges had been finalised in court

The remaining 121 are progressing through the courts.

"All of the finalised charges were withdrawn; none have been convicted and sentenced," Sector Insights general manager Rebecca Parish said.

"Cases can take time to progress through the courts, and some charges may be withdrawn before reaching a final outcome," she said.

"The absence of convictions at this stage is not necessarily unexpected."

The new law came into effect in May and criminalises making unwanted, persistent, and repetitive intrusions into another person's life, causing serious psychological, social, and economic harm.