A member of the Stormont Assembly has claimed she had to ask the PSNI to intervene after she had been stalked by a man who was living in Dublin.
DUP MLA for Lagan Valley Brenda Hale tabled a motion calling for strengthened measures to crack down on stalking.
She said a man, based in Dublin, began stalking her two years after her husband, who was a serving member of the British armed forces, was killed in Afghanistan in 2009.
She told MLAs that Northern Ireland does not have the proper legislative framework to deal with the problem of stalking and called on the power-sharing executive to address this gap.
Another MLA said a stalker stuck razor blades in her car tyres, causing them to blow up on the school run.
Clare Bailey claimed she received an inadequate response from the police when she reported her experience.
The Green Party NI deputy leader and MLA for South Belfast said: "I had razor blades stuck in my car tyres, which caused the tyres to blow up after dropping my children to school," she said.
"I decided then to report the stalking to the police, but response was 'What do you want us to do about it?' I couldn't answer their question but I didn't report any further incidences.
"It is disappointing that in 2016, we are continuing to fail to take the crime of stalking seriously, leaving victims and their families to struggle alone until something more serious occurs."
Responding to the debate, Justice Minister Claire Sugden said she was minded to consider fresh legislation if necessary.
"As Justice Minister, I am keen to ensure that the criminal law in Northern Ireland is fit for purpose and that we learn from the experiences of other jurisdictions, where such laws can make a difference for the better," she said.
"I have already asked my officials to review the existing laws on stalking here and elsewhere and to report to me on the need for the introduction of additional legislation to safeguard victims of stalking in this jurisdiction."
Assembly members returned to Stormont today following the summer recess.
