Guernsey to introduce laws against stalking and drink spiking

Tuesday, 4 March 2025 14:35

Deputies will be asked to agree new or enhanced laws around sex offending and domestic abuse.

The crime of drink spiking has been in the spotlight recently thanks to the efforts of the award winning Guernsey charity BELADS.

Now, deputies will be asked to agree laws that give greater protection to those who are the victims of drink spiking, domestic violence and a number of specific sexual offences.

It is planned to create two new laws around stalking to encompass harassment and fear of violence. The latter would attract a higher penalty.

The introduction of a Stalking Protection Order would offer a further safeguard to victims.

Home Affairs wants to create a register of serial domestic abuse and stalking offenders that would act as a central data point on a person.

New offences could also be created for strangulation, female genital mutilation and sexual harassment in a public place.

Deputy Rob Prow, the president of the Home Affairs committee, says improving Guernsey's laws has been a priority:

"The publication of this policy letter is another important step toward that goal.

"It contains a wide range of important areas we wanted to ensure were legislated for in Guernsey, new offences, new court powers, new police powers, all of which will help us protect vulnerable women and ensure offences of this nature are properly dealt with."

Committee vice president Sue Aldwell says it is important to update or create legislation in these areas:

"It (the policy letter) contains a wide range of important areas we wanted to ensure were legislated for in Guernsey, new offences, new court powers, new police powers, all of which will help us protect vulnerable women and ensure offences of this nature are properly dealt with."

The Home Affairs policy letter that will go before deputies in April.