A mobile phone app was launched today to help Scots women being terrorised by stalkers to record their experiences.
The app can record times, locations and details of incidents which can later be passed to police as evidence.
The technology was developed by the Scottish Women’s Rights Centre (SWRC), which supports those suffering abuse and violence, and media co-op.
It was created as a response to challenges women face trying to secure evidence of stalking they endure.
Katy Mathieson, SWRC coordinator, said: “FollowIt App was developed to address an access to justice need identified by victims and survivors of stalking.
“Women contacting our services were highlighting difficulties in keeping a safe and secure log of incidents.
Stalking is a course of conduct crime, which means it is necessary to demonstrate that there have been two or more incidents that caused fear or alarm.
“While there is no expectation for women using the app to report to the police, we hope that FollowIt App will provide a helpful tool for women experiencing stalking and will assist those who do decide to report.”
The app is free to use and available to women aged 18 and over living in Scotland.
It can be downloaded for Android and iOS by visiting www.followitapp.org.uk
In a statement, media co-op said: “We designed it from the bottom up, with direct participation of victims of stalking, support workers, police, lawyers, and prosecutors.”
