For Stalking

In case of an emergency, call 911.

As many as 1 in 4 women and 1 in 13 men have experienced stalking victimization at some point during their lifetime and most often the stalker is someone the victim knows. Stalking is a crime under the laws of all 50 states, the District of Columbia, the U.S. territories and the federal government.

Stalking is intentional and repeated harassment, watching, following and/or threatening of another person. Signs of staking behavior may include:

• Making unwanted calls, sending text messages, letters or emails
• Monitoring the victim, which may include technology surveillance
• Leaving unwanted items for the victim (presents, cards, photos or flowers)
• Making false claims of romantic involvement
• Participating in other crimes, such as: identity theft, stealing money, threats, physical assault, injuries and threats with weapons

Over 85% of stalking victims are stalked by someone they know, and women are stalked at a rate of two times higher than men.

If you or someone you know is being stalked, we encourage you to:

• Call the police or local law enforcement
• Create a safety plan, which includes setting aside: cash, important documents (birth certificates, social security cards, etc.), a set of keys and a change of clothes, all of which can be easily accessed in a crisis situation
• Stop all contact with the perpetrator
• Collect and preserve any evidence for investigators and prosecutors
• Keep a journal of any contacts made by the perpetrator and document dates, times and details

To learn more about stalking behaviors visit these resources:

• End Tech Abuse - EndTechAbuse.org
• The Stalking Prevention, Awareness, & Resource Center (SPARC) - StalkingAwareness.org
• WheresTheLine Article: Keeping Your Family Safety After An Abusive Relationship - (Article Link)

For a handout regarding stalking, click here.
For more information on domestic violence, click here.