Dr Ann Moulds, CBE, the founder of UK charity Action Against Stalking, has been recognized for her tireless advocacy on behalf of stalking victims with a prestigious King’s Honour. The award was presented to Dr Moulds at Windsor Castle in the presence of her family, including her sister-in-law, former Crimewatch presenter and Hacked Off Board member Jacqui Hames.
Dr Moulds’ personal experience with stalking, where she was targeted by someone she once trusted, led her to found Action Against Stalking. She received unsolicited letters detailing sexual fantasies, explicit photographs, and disturbing messages, and when she turned to the police for help, she was met with disbelief and dismissal. Despite her stalker being convicted, she was left alone to pick up the pieces of her life, which had been uprooted and changed due to the ordeal.
One of the driving forces behind Dr Moulds’ advocacy was the profound injustice she experienced when she was denied the opportunity to have her voice heard in court as her stalker pleaded guilty. At the time, stalking was not classified as a criminal offense in Scotland, and her perpetrator received a negligible punishment. Determined to bring about change, Dr Moulds launched a successful campaign that led to stalking being recognized as a standalone offense in Scotland in 2010. She then took her campaign to England & Wales, leading to the inclusion of stalking in the Protection of Freedom Act 2014. Her efforts also resulted in stalking being introduced into the Council of Europe’s ‘Istanbul’ Treaty in 2011, placing an obligation on all European member states to codify stalking into criminal law. In 2012, she also played a crucial role in having victims’ rights enshrined in statutory law in Scotland through the Victim & Witnesses (Scot) Act 2014. This led to a reform of the criminal justice system in Scotland, with a focus on ‘making justice work for victims.’
In 2014, after achieving all her objectives as a campaigning body, Dr Moulds founded the charity Action Against Stalking, which provides essential support to victims and continues to advocate for reform. In 2021, she established a partnership with the University of the West of Scotland to launch the innovative and groundbreaking ‘Centre for Action Against Stalking,’ which conducts applied research into this underrepresented and poorly understood crime. For her relentless efforts, Dr Moulds has received numerous awards, including an honorary doctorate from the University of the West of Scotland in 2024 and, most recently, a CBE from His Majesty the King.
The fight against stalking has become a family affair for Jacqui Hames, Dr Moulds’ sister-in-law. As a victim of harassment herself, Jacqui became a core participant and witness at the Leveson public Inquiry into the culture, practices, and ethics of the British press. Her testimony exposed the News of the World phone-hacking scandal, which came to light during the investigation into the murder of Daniel Morgan and revealed deep-rooted corruption within the police and the press.
Jacqui was also targeted by News of the World journalists, who infiltrated her personal and professional life, even gaining access to sensitive data through her employer, the Metropolitan Police. As she prepared her court statement, her home was broken into, adding another layer of trauma to an already difficult ordeal. This experience led Jacqui to become a voice for change, and she joined the Hacked Off campaign alongside actor Hugh Grant. Hacked Off advocates for the press to be held accountable to standards that protect the public, strengthen democracy, and safeguard freedom of speech. For the past 14 years, Jacqui has been lobbying politicians, informing the public, and campaigning for change.
Jacqui’s personal experience with press intrusion also helped her recognize the same violation of freedoms in her sister-in-law’s story. She and Dr Moulds have been on this journey together since 2010, not only as passionate advocates but also as devoted family members. Fifteen years have passed, but these remarkable women continue to work tirelessly to create safer communities and hold those entrusted with public protection accountable.
“To be an activist for change and justice is to put your head above the parapet and challenge systems. It takes a lot of courage to stand up and speak out, but it must be done.”
Dr Ann Moulds CBE
Readers can learn more about Action Against Stalking and Hacked Off through their respective websites. If you or someone you know has been a victim of stalking, you can contact Action Against Stalking for free, professional, and confidential support. The team can be reached via phone at 0800 820 2427, email at support@actionagainststalking.org, or online at www.actionagainststalking.org/referral.
Derick is an experienced reporter having held multiple senior roles for large publishers across Europe. Specialist subjects include small business and financial emerging markets.