Talking about stalking: Probation's role in responding to ‘fixated’ people who harm

This article examines the challenges facing the probation service in responding to stalking following the publication of the United Kingdom government's Freedom from Violence and Abuse strategy. It summarises the reforms introduced to address low charge and conviction rates, including the increased use of stalking protection orders and the development of multi-agency stalking intervention programmes. It then outlines what is known about the prevalence and impact of stalking on victims and survivors, as well as current knowledge about people who stalk, including insights derived from recent pilot interventions. The article explains why the probation service should develop enhanced digital and psychological literacy – including a dynamic conceptualisation of ‘fixation’ – while working collaboratively with service providers that go beyond conventional domestic abuse partnerships. The article concludes by outlining how probation could lead an agenda on stalking centred on harm reduction and professional approaches capable of grappling with the complex interplay of needs, vulnerabilities, and dangerousness that people who stalk present.