Stalking and non-fatal strangulation are to become stand alone criminal offences by the end of the year.
The Justice Minister says prevention is key to avoiding these kinds of crimes and says more public awareness campaigns are in the works.
Youghal woman Una Ring has been instrumental in the work around drafting the new bill and getting the new law introduced.
Una teamed up with Eve McDowell from Galway after they were both subjected to horrific stalking campaigns by men they barely knew.
Their decision to speak out about their experiences, in which they both came close to losing their lives, resulted in the drafting of legislation which was introduced in the Seanad last Autumn.
Speaking to RedFM News ahead of the introduction of the new law, Una Ring said she was determined to see the new law introduced:
"It's a it's a very very frightening situation to be in and the law needs to be there, it's horrendous in 2021 to have no law on stalking whatsoever in the country."
Justice Minister Helen McEntee says that though strangulation is already a crime, giving it stand-alone status is important:
"Firstly, just to make it clear to people stopping a non fatal strangulation, there are already offenses but what we have seen looking at experience and other jurisdictions and indeed speaking to victims and survivors, where you make something a standalone offence for you highlight this and elevate it so to speak. It encourages more people to come forward."
