Stalking causes misery for victims and will not be tolerated. Since 2012 the Government has introduced new specific stalking offences and delivered training and guidance for police officers and prosecutors about the new legislation. The Government Action Plan to End Violence Against Women and Girls makes an undertaking to continue to raise awareness of stalking to improve professionals' response. The Ministry of Justice is supporting the Home Office who lead on this work. Charging data is not held by the Ministry of Justice. The Department holds courts proceedings data, but only for the number of defendants proceeded against in the first month of the offences being available. Between 25 November 2012 and 31 December 2012, eight defendants were proceeded against under section 2A and no defendants were proceeded against under section 4A of Protection from Harassment Act 1997. Court proceedings data for 2013 are planned for publication in May 2014. Please note this data presents the principal offences under which a defendant has been proceeded against. If a defendant has been proceeded against for two or more offences it is the offence with the higher or highest maximum penalty that is selected.