Stalking Awareness Month

January is Stalking Awareness Month.

Stalking is a form of unwanted contact between two people that either directly or indirectly implies a threat or places a victim in fear. Actions such as: following someone; suddenly appearing at a person’s home or workplace; making harassing phone calls; leaving unwanted messages and objects; or vandalizing someone’s property are all examples of stalking.

Statistics

• 1,006,970 women and 370,990 men are stalked annually in the U.S.
• 1 in 12 women and 1 in 45 men will be stalked in their lifetime.
• 77% of female victims and 64% of male victims know their stalker. 
• The average duration of stalking is 1.8 years. 
• If stalking involves intimate partners, the average duration of stalking increases to 2.2 years.

Data from Stalking in America: Findings From the National Violence Against Women Survey, 1998

Who are victims?

Anyone can be a victim of stalking.  Both men and women are stalking victims, however research shows that 75-80% of stalking cases involve men stalking women.    Stalkers come from all communities, anyone can be a stalker. Stalking can happen within a relationship, during a break-up or outside of a relationship altogether.

Impacts of stalking

Stalking is a terrifying crime, leaving victims frequently on-edge, fearing for their safety.   During the course of being stalked, or after the stalking has stopped, victims may experience a range of emotions and physical reactions.  Some of these reactions may include:

• Heightened anxiety,
• Sleeplessness,
• Feelings of self-doubt or blame,
• Isolation,
• Thoughts of suicide,
• Depression,
• Fear,
• Frustration,
• Sadness,
• Challenges with intimacy,
• Fatigue,
• Gastrointestinal problems,
• Headaches, and
• Heart palpitations.

What can I do if I am being stalked?

• If you feel that you are in imminent danger, trust your instincts and do what makes you feel safe.  Consider going to a safe location such as a police station. Call 911 if you fear for your immediate safety.
• Know that you are not to blame for the stalker’s behavior.
• Call your local domestic violence or sexual assault program to get support and hear about options and resources.  Call the National Stalking Resource Center for support (1-800-FYI-CALL).
• Consider getting a protection order to keep the stalker away from you. 
• Keep a log of the stalking incidences to show the pattern of events. Write down every incident that happens including all the times, dates and other information.
• Keep videotapes, answering machine or voicemail messages, photos of property damage, emails and letters you receive.
• Know that technology can be used to track you. 
• Tell important people about the stalking problem including: the police; your employer or school; and family, friends and neighbors.
   

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