Trust set up in memory of murdered Harborough district woman continues to raise awareness of stalking

A trust that was set up in memory of a Harborough district woman is keen to is continue raising awareness of stalking and unhealthy relationships by speaking to pupils at assemblies.

The Alice Ruggles Trust was established after the murder of Alice - from Tur Langton - following stalking. It exists to raise awareness of stalking, including coercive control and does this through a range of activities including PSHE lessons in schools.

The Trust is available to visit schools locally and deliver assemblies that complement their free PSHE lesson packs on recognising health and unhealthy behaviours, managing unwanted attention and supporting a friend.

Speaking about the lessons, Prof. Clive Ruggles said that the Alice Ruggles Trust is available to speak in schools locally from the New Year, adding: “Raising public awareness, especially among young people, is of key importance to us.

"We want to know that the next generation, that Alice should have been a part of, will recognise stalking for the vile crime that it is – not as a bit of a joke, but as something that is highly distressing for the victim and potentially extremely dangerous.”

Stalking affects 1.8 million people in the UK and over 220,000 16–19-year-olds each year. It has been described as psychological trauma and, in the worst cases, such as Alice’s, can lead to murder.

Alice’s story has been used to inform thousands of people of how to recognise and respond to stalking over the past five years. So far, the PSHE resources have been downloaded over 5,000 times.