Trust set up for Alice Ruggles secures renewed funding

The Alice Ruggles Trust, named after Alice Ruggles who was killed by a former partner in 2016, will continue delivering school assemblies across the Northumbria Police force area to teach young people about stalking, healthy relationships and how to seek help.

The programme is funded through the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC)’s Supporting Victims Programme, with support from Northumbria PCC Susan Dungworth.

Sandhill View Academy assembly (Image: Supplied)

Ms Dungworth said: “The school assemblies programme is a great example of prevention work in action.

“I’ve seen these assemblies being delivered – the young people were presented with emotionally resonant stories and relatable scenarios.

“It not only helps them recognise harmful and complex behaviours like stalking, but it also helps them see the emotional impact on victims and the importance of seeking support.

“We need to keep reaching more and more students with these assembles to get important messages out there and help prevent what happened to Alice from happening to others.”

The trust was founded by Alice’s parents, Clive Ruggles and Sue Hills, who have dedicated themselves to raising awareness about the dangers of stalking and the importance of recognising unhealthy behaviours in relationships.

School assemblies have become a key part of the charity’s outreach, prompting “thought-provoking and hard-hitting” discussions among students and increased confidence among students, with high levels of participation and curiosity in lessons.

Academic evaluations from a team of three universities have highlighted the positive impact the assemblies had on student knowledge levels.

Last year, the Government included stalking in its official Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) guidance for schools, and the work of the Alice Ruggles Trust was mentioned in its strategy to halve violence against women and girls within a decade.

This recognition has led to a rise in schools signing up for the programme.

Since its launch in Northumbria in October 2024, the programme has reached 3,661 students in the region.

Mr Ruggles said: “Since we set up the Alice Ruggles Trust, raising awareness about stalking amongst young people has become a core priority for us, and school assemblies have shown themselves to be the most effective way of doing this.

“Only through education will we reduce stalking in the long term: it’s about changing the mindset of future generations.

“While our volunteers present assemblies in schools around the country, we are hugely grateful for the support from the Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner which has enabled us to establish, and now to sustain, a concentrated project in the area in which Alice lived happily, but sadly died.

“It is a real boost to our efforts to prevent what happened to Alice happening to others.”

Stalking affects one in five young people in the UK, according to the trust.

A large proportion of cases now involve digital abuse, with 47 per cent of young victims reporting that the stalking took place online.

Stalking can cause lasting emotional, psychological, and in some cases, physical harm.

The Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner also funds specialist support services for victims, including the Paladin National Stalking Advocacy Service.

The trust and the PCC’s office both encourage young people, educators, and families to use the Victims Services Directory on the PCC website to find tailored support in their area.

The Alice Ruggles Trust continues to advocate for broader education and conversation around stalking, particularly at a time when digital communication and social media make it easier for perpetrators to maintain unwanted contact.

More details can be found at alicerugglestrust.org.