January Is National Stalking Awareness Month

Article by: Becky White, Marketing Director: THINK Program 

 

National Stalking Awareness Month is a call to action recognizing and responding to this potentially traumatic and dangerous crime. While it frequently predicts and co-occurs with physical and/or sexual assault, it's important to acknowledge stalking as its own form of violence as well. Stalking impacts over 1 in 6 women and 1 in 17 men in the United States - yet, despite the prevalence and harmful mental and physical effects, many people underestimate its danger and urgency. 

Stalking is defined as a pattern of behavior directed at a specific person that causes fear. Many stalking victims are followed, approached, monitored, and/or threatened, including through various forms of technology. Victims and survivors often suffer anxiety, social dysfunction, and severe depression as a result of their victimization, and many lose time from work and/or feel the need to relocate. Stalking is a terrifying and psychologically harmful crime as well as a predictor of potentially lethal violence. 1 in 5 stalkers use weapons to threaten or harm victims, and stalking increased the risk of intimate partner homicide by three times. 

Stalking is a crime in all 50 states, the U.S. Territories, and the District of Columbia - but can be difficult to recognize and prosecute. 

Below is a list of frequent questions regarding stalking. 

How is stalking defined? Stalking is defined as a pattern of behavior directed at a specific person that causes the victim fear. 

What is considered a pattern of behavior? Two or more incidents make a pattern.  However, exact definitions vary from state-to-state. It’s important to be familiar with your state’s laws about stalking. Our friends over at FRIS have the stalking laws posted for WV.  

What types of behaviors are considered stalking? Stalkers use a variety of tactics, including (but not limited to): unwanted contact including phone calls, texts, and contact via social media; unwanted gifts; showing up/approaching an individual or their family/friends; monitoring and surveillance; property damage; and threats. 

What if the stalkers behavior isn’t illegal (example: sending gifts)? Some of the behaviors that make up the crime of stalking are criminal on their own (like property damage). Even if the behavior is not a crime on its own (like texting excessively), it may be part of the pattern of stalking behavior and victims should consider documenting and reporting it. 

Who is likely to be stalked? Anyone can be a victim of stalking regardless of gender, race or sexual orientation. The majority of stalking victims are stalked by someone they know: a current or former intimate partner, acquaintance, or family member. During a 12-month period an estimated 14 in every 1,000 persons age 18 or older were victims of stalking. The risk of stalking victimization was highest for individuals who were divorced or separated—34 per 1,000 individuals. 

How is stalking different than harassment? Stalking and harassment are similar and can overlap. Harassment may be part of a stalking pattern of behavior/course of conduct. 

Generally, the element of fear is what separates stalking from harassment. Harassment is typically irritating and bothersome, sometimes to the point where a victim feels deeply uncomfortable. However, victims of harassment are not typically afraid of their perpetrators. 

For example, a colleague who consistently mocks a new coworker for her appearance may be harassing her by saying cruel things and sending disparaging e-mails. While the victim is distressed and may feel sad, anxious, angry and/or uncomfortable, she is not afraid of the perpetrator – she does not believe that the behaviors will escalate or that further harm will come to her. However, if that same perpetrator began calling the victim’s cell phone, following the victim and/or posting disparaging things about the victim online, it could become stalking. 

The definition of stalking includes that the victim be fearful (or feel fear). What if the victim is more irritated or angry than fearful? It is important to note that fear is often masked by other emotions: anger, frustration, hopelessness or despair. Victims will react to stalkers in a variety of ways, just as two people who experience the same type of trauma react differently. Some may seem irritated or angry, rather than scared, while others may minimize and dismiss their stalking as “no big deal.” Irritation, anger, and/or minimization may be masking fear.  

It is helpful to consider how victims may change their behaviors to cope with the stalking. Are they changing travel routes? Avoiding certain locations? Screening calls? These may be indications that the victim is afraid. 

Is there a time during stalking that a person is at greater risk for violence? Any stalking case can escalate into violence. The risk of violence is heightened when the stalker: 

  • Issues direct threats of violence 

  • Expresses jealousy of the victim’s relationships with others 

  • Uses mood altering substances 

What can you do to be safe or get help? 

  • First, trust your instincts. Victims of stalking often feel pressured by friends or family to downplay the stalker’s behavior but stalking poses a real threat of harm. Your safety is paramount. 

  • Call 9-1-1 if you’re in imminent danger or have been threatened. Explain why the stalker’s actions are causing you fear. 

  • Keep a log of everything that happens and each contact with the stalker.  Be sure to also document any police reports. 

  • Save evidence when possible. Stalkers often use technology to contact their victims. Save all emails, text messages, photos, and postings on social networking sites as evidence of the stalking behavior. You may also want to consider how to use your technology and your devices in a safer manner. 

  • Tell people you trust about the situation. See if your school, workplace, or building security can help with your safety plans. 

  • Consider getting a court order to keep the stalker away from you. Contact your local family court for more information. 

  • Contact a national support line: 

 

For additional resources on stalking or for support, please visit http://stalkingawareness.org. 

dating abuse, domestic violence, dating violence, THINKRebecca Whitestalking, sexual abuse, sexual assault, sexual violence