I thank Plaid Cymru for bringing in this debate today, as stalking, as we've heard, has a significant and lasting effect on the lives of victims, survivors and their families. The impact on the victims' mental health is often profound. A survey carried out by the Suzy Lamplugh Trust in 2020 found that, of those who responded to the survey, 94 per cent said that stalking had indeed impacted their mental health. It is predominantly a gendered crime, and we've already heard today that one in five women are being targeted compared to one in 10 men. People living with disabilities and long-term health problems are also disproportionately affected.

In 2019, the Stalking Protection Act was passed. It applies to both England and Wales. A crucial part of the Act is the civil stalking protection order. This allows the police to apply to the magistrates' court, who can then impose restrictions and positive requirements on the perpetrator. Crucially, breaching the terms of the stalking protection order is a criminal offence. Any breach of the conditions gives the police the power to arrest the perpetrator. They can also be used to protect victims of stalking when a criminal case is being built. Alarmingly, a BBC report found that only two stalking prevention orders had been granted in Wales between 2020 and March 2021, despite 3,000 stalking offences being reported to the police during that period. 

The Suzy Lamplugh Trust 'Unmasking Stalking' report in 2021 found that only 9 per cent of victims whose experience of stalking started after the first lockdown had a stalking prevention order in place. Having legislation, of course, is one thing, but if it's not being used to protect victims as intended, then it has to raise serious concerns. I'm keen to understand what discussions Welsh Government have had with the relevant organisations, such as police and the wider criminal justice system, as to why the number of stalking prevention orders granted during this time is so low. I wonder if it's a matter of police, CPS and magistrate training and, if it is, how that's being addressed. I also welcome today the £400,000 investment in the 30 new facilities that will allow courts to act by video-link, because we've already heard that what will prevent stalking victims from going to court is the very thought of having to face the perpetrator in the same room. So, again, in finishing, I would like to say I'm really, really pleased to take part in this debate and really pleased that it was tabled.