Campaigners who want to see stalking become a criminal offence in its own right were told on Tuesday that they were "pushing at an open door".
Holyrood's Justice Committee met for a stage two hearing of the Criminal Justice Bill Scotland. However, as a result of a slew of amendments, MSPs agreed to take further evidence over the next two weeks on a number of issues, including stalking.
Committee Convener Bill Aitken agreed that amendments to the law governing stalking deserved due consideration, which could lead to MSPs requesting an extension to the period in which they hear evidence.
Campaigners want to see stalking identified as specific criminal offence with tougher legislation and penalties designed to protect victims.
Highlands and Islands MSP Rhoda Grant has raised an amendment which paves the way for the introduction of a stalking law and MSPs today said they wanted to take the time required to examine the proposals carefully.
It follows a tireless campaign from victim Ann Moulds, under the banner Action Scotland Against Stalking. The 50-year-old said: "Being stalked is a terrifying experience. I endured a thousand days and a thousand nights of torment by a sexual deviant, yet a sheriff sentenced him to only three years' probation, 260 hours community service and three years on the sex offenders' register.
"In Scotland, people engaging in behaviour constituting stalking and harassment are currently prosecuted using the common law offence of 'breach of the peace'.
"Lenient sentences for perpetrators will hopefully soon be consigned to history."
The Justice Committee's convener, Bill Aitken, has already revealed that he supports moves to have stalking categorised as a specific criminal offence.
In a letter to Ms Moulds, he said: "A more robust approach is now being taken by police in the growing number of cases of stalking and harassment.
"It is a traumatic experience for those who are victims."
He said a change in the law to make stalking a specific offence would bring Scotland into line with England and Wales where a tougher regime of sentences is in place for offenders.
Ms. Moulds paid tribute to the continuous support she had received for her campaign from South Ayrshire councillors, Elaine Little, Mairi Low and Ann Galbraith, from Rita Miller of Women's Aid and from local MSPs John Scott and Adam Ingram and MP Sandra Osborne.
Other supporters include Lord George Foulkes, the former national chairman of Victim Support, Jim Brodie OBE, and Sandra Paton and Keren Gardner from the Ayrshire Violence Against Women training consortium.
MSPs are also set to hear fresh evidence on amendments regarding knife crime and prostitution.
