Stalking is an unacceptable behaviour that leads victims to feel helpless, threatened and unable to exert control over their lives.
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Victims feel unable to leave their homes and can often be harassed there, being the subject of unwanted letters, text messages or doorstep visits.
They feel they are watched when they leave what should be their place of safety and, in many cases, have to change longstanding routines, leave jobs and even cities.
For the situation to be made potentially worse for those suffering by an apparent administrative error is clearly unacceptable and can place further, unnecessary stress on those in need of support.
Police claim the system worked and that parole information was provided accurately, but will not comment on why the victim was left feeling vulnerable and in need of going to court to seek a further order, when she should have already been protected by the parole conditions placed on her stalker.
The ACT government might claim victim safety is a priority and in the majority of cases the work done to support those affected by the criminal actions of others is to be commended. But in the stories these women have bravely shared it is clear that some victims feel they are not being adequately supported and that in some cases the response by ACT Policing has left them feeling alone and at risk.
That the ACT Victims of Crime Commissioner has asked the authorities just how a registered high-risk victim could be further threatened upon the release of her aggressor from prison shows indications of a broken system that needs to be reviewed.
Victims of stalking suffer enough without being put through the trauma of re-applying for a court order or having to check themselves whether the children's school has been warned about the court orders.
They should not be told that more evidence is needed for a court order when they are being persecuted by unwanted attention and their house is broken into by the stalker.
These examples of inadequacy within the system might be relatively isolated but it only takes one mistake to lead to a tragedy.
Canberra's victims should not have to rely on the interference by the commissioner to get action, they have a basic right to be protected that the ACT government should be upholding.
Victims deserve more from this government and the police who pledge to serve and protect.
