Petition for stalking laws gains momentum after woman's murder
CONTENT WARNING: Stalking, harassment, assault
After a 21-year-old was murdered by her stalker, a petition to make stalking illegal in New Zealand now has over 21,000 signatures.
In 2022, Farzana Yaqubi was found murdered by her stalker eight weeks after reporting him for threatening, stalking and harassing her.
Yaqubi’s death kickstarted a petition urging the Government to make stalking a criminal offence, as it is in much of Europe, UK, Australia, and the US.
The petition was handed to justice minister Paul Goldsmith in June this year. He tells Massive he is committed to getting a bill into the house before the year ends.
Goldsmith said, “I recognised the public concern and instructed my officials to speed things up.”
Sarah*, a stalking victim, believes current legislation fails to protect stalking victims and the justice system undermines police efforts to ensure safety.
She was allegedly stalked by a former co-worker, Ryan*, from ages 18 to 21. He would comment on her weight, and genitalia, and threatened physical harm.
After resigning to escape him, Sarah’s house and car were damaged, and Ryan regularly drove by her house.
Sarah’s TikTok, Instagram, Email, Facebook and even Spotify accounts became the target of fake accounts. “The usernames were my mobile number, house addresses, genitalia remarks with my own photos being used as profile pictures.”
It took four months before police gathered enough evidence to make an arrest. Ryan was charged with criminal harassment, but discharged without conviction.
However, Ryan was arrested again after threatening Sarah and her father.
In August 2022, Ryan was sentenced to six months of supervision for Assault and Criminal Harassment.
“Six months for over three years of suffering, pain, depression and anxiety.”
“Police did all this work to keep me safe and potential future victims for the legislation just to let him off with a slap on the wrist.”
Another victim, Tory*, hoped legislation would improve. Two years ago, Tory was allegedly coerced to sleep with a man she met on a dating app, Liam*.
“He managed to convince me it wasn’t rape and was all in my head so I kind of just pretended it never happened.”
A few days after, Tory received a call from her friend Hamish*, saying Liam turned up at his work trying to fight him and calling him jealous.
Tory ended things with Liam, but he continued calling until she blocked him. Throughout, Liam continued harassing Hamish, demanding to see Tory.
Over the next few months, Tory received dozens of anonymous calls and texts. Every time she answered, Liam was threatening her. The harassment only stopped when Tory threatened police involvement.
Though the calls stopped last summer, Tory still feels unsafe and never reported Liam, believing the police couldn’t help.
“I’m terrified every time I get a call from an unknown number.”
A police spokesperson said that while they take stalking seriously, proving it in court is challenging.
They said the nature of stalking means that what one person finds threatening might not be viewed the same by others, including law enforcement and the courts.
Police advised victims to avoid engaging with a stalker, make social media accounts private, and install home security. They also recommended informing friends, family, neighbours and co-workers about the situation for additional safety.
Where to get help:
Women’s Refuge National Helpline (Crisis line): 0800 733 8443
Shakti 24-hour crisis line with multi-lingual staff: 0800 742 584
Family Violence Information Line: 0800 456 450
Auckland Women’s Centre: 09 376 3227
If you are in immediate danger, please call 111