In July 2022 the OPFCC made a successful bid from the Home Office Safer Streets 4 Fund, securing nearly £100,000 for investment in a review of the response to stalking and harassment across North Yorkshire and York, in partnership with The Suzy Lamplugh Trust.
As well as funding bespoke training for police officers and staff from partnership organisations, conducting victim-focused assessment, funding was also allocated for the creation of an awareness-raising resource
As part of the latter, the OPFCC commissioned a production company called ‘Rural Media’ to create a film aimed at 16–24-year-olds raising awareness of stalking
Rural Media worked alongside the OPFCC, victim support agencies and the North Yorkshire Police Stalking Team to produce a script, hire actors and source locations for filming that reflected the real-life stalking and harassment scenarios taking place in North Yorkshire.
The film, titled ‘Just a Kiss’, is broken down into nine short episodes and was first released in October 2023. Just a Kiss follows the story of a young university fresher who, having met a man on a night out, becomes the victim of stalking. The film chronicles how stalking can quickly escalate and impact the lives of victims and displays the perspective of friends and family.
The film has also been used in the training of policing students at Leeds Trinity University, as well as at Askham Bryan College as part of an induction pack for new students. Policing Students in Ukraine have also been shown the film as part of their training.
The OPFCC is now re-releasing the film one year on as students across the country return to university for the start of the new academic year, raising awareness of the dangers of stalking and helping students find appropriate support.
Each episode of Just a Kiss can be viewed on our website, by visiting www.northyorkshire-pfcc.gov.uk/justakiss.
Jo Coles, Deputy Mayor for Policing, Fire and Crime, said:
“The response to Just a Kiss from across York and North Yorkshire was beyond our expectations.
Seeing the film being used as a training resource as far afield as Ukraine goes to prove just how topical and relevant its subject matter is to people. Stalking and harassment is an often under-reported crime that disproportionately impacts women, and Just a Kiss provides crucial context for how these sorts of offences develop, as well as signposting to vital support services.”
If you feel you may be a victim of stalking or harassment, visit www.supportingvictims.org, or call 01609 643 100
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