SWINDON'S specialist domestic violence support service charity Home Truths is holding an event today to mark National Stalking Awareness Day.

The event in Chippenham for professionals across the south west will be welcome Wiltshire and Swindon’s Police and Crime Commissioner Angus Macpherson.

From the age of 16, one in five women will experience stalking and the most common stalkers are male partners or ex-partners.

Home Truths has had some funding from Wiltshire Police Authority to help women who are stalked within relationships.

“Stalking can be very open and obvious and women find themselves being followed or threatened by an abusive partner or ex-partner, getting texts and calls from them as much as 100 times a day,” said Kim Swinden, the co-founder of Home Truths.

“Or it can be very subtle and much harder to recognise such as getting neighbours to report what’s happening at the house or turning up at the same shop as the victim.

“It has a massive impact on the women living with stalking and harassment, it prevents women from seeking help if they are in a relationship with an abusive partner, and it can pressurise women so much that return to an abusive relationship because they feel so trapped and worn down.”

The event takes place at the Borough Lands Trust today from 10am to 2.30pm. To find out more visit www.hometruths.coop.

Anyone who is experiencing stalking and harassment can call 01793 617589 or email info@hometruths.coop.