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 Stalking

 Know it. Name it. Stop it.

 66% of female victims and

41% of male victims of stalking

are stalked by a current or former intimate partner.

STALKING

What is “stalking?”

 

Stalking is a pattern of repeated and unwanted attention, harassment, contact, or any other course of conduct directed at a specific person that would cause a reasonable person to feel fear.

 

Some things Stalkers do:

 

  • Follow you & show up wherever you are.

  • Repeatedly call you, including hang-ups.

  • Damage your home, car, or other property.

  • Send unwanted gifts, letters, cards, or e-mails.

  • Monitor your phone calls or computer use.

  • Use technology, like hidden cameras or a GPS to track where you go.

  • Drive by or hang out at your home, work, or school.

  • Threaten to hurt you, your family, friends, or pets.

  • Any other actions that control, track, or frighten you.

 

Common Reactions of Stalking:

 

  • Feel fear of what the stalker will do.

  • Feel vulnerable, unsafe, & not know who to trust.

  • Feel nervous, irritable, impatient, or on edge.

  • Feel depressed, hopeless, overwhelmed, or angry.

  • Feel stressed, including trouble concentrating or sleeping.

  • Change in eating patterns.

  • Have flashbacks, disturbing thoughts, feelings, or memories.

  • Feel confused, frustrated, or isolated because people don’t understand why you are afraid.

For more information about Stalking visit these national sites:

Stalking Resource Center

Network of Victim Assistance

THE HARD TRUTH

  • 1 in 6 women and 1 in 19 men have experienced stalking victimization at some point during their lifetime in which they felt very fearful or believed that they or someone close to them would be harmed or killed. 1

  • About 1 in 5 female victims and 1 in 14 male victims experienced stalking between the ages of 11 and 17. 1

  • 6.6 million people are stalked in one year in the United States. 1

Planning for Safety

 

  • Don’t park in isolated, unlit areas.

  • Have your key in your hand as you walk  to your car.

  • If you feel it’s necessary, have a friend or security guard walk with you to your car.

  • Always be aware of your surroundings.

  • Frequently change your daily routine & driving routes.

  • Improve home security.

  • Keep a charged cell phone with you at all times w/ important numbers saved.

  • Carry pepper spray.

  • Carry a small noise maker (whistle).

  • Plan what you will do & say if you come into contact with your stalker.

  • Plan how to get away if there’s an emergency (exits, transportation), who can help (police, friends, family), & where to go (friend’s house, shelter).

Technology Safety:

 

  • Use a safe computer, such as a public one at a library.

  • Create a new e-mail account. Use anonymous name & account. Don’t provide detailed information about yourself.

  • Change all passwords. Don’t use obvious ones or ones your stalker could guess.

  • Check your settings on social networking sites, such as Facebook. Don’t post personal information &  be aware of what you’re posting.

  • Minimize use of cordless phones or baby monitors.

  • Change your phone number.

  • Do internet searches on yourself to see what information is out there & available.

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