January is National Stalking Awareness Month, and we are sharing tips, information, and resources to assist anyone who may be a victim. According to the U.S. Department of Justice, the term stalking means “engaging in a course of conduct directed at a specific person that would cause a reasonable person to fear for his or her safety or the safety of others or suffer substantial emotional distress.”

Stalking Facts

While we may often associate stalking with actors, musicians, and other celebrities, the Stalking Prevention, Awareness, & Resource Center – or SPARC – indicates that one in six women and one in seventeen will have experienced stalking victimization in their lifetimes (that’s an estimated 6 – 7.5 million people in one year in the U.S.). It’s a frightening statistic.

Perhaps more upsetting is that the vast majority of stalking victims are stalked by someone they know, with only 15% of stalkers being strangers. The majority of stalkers are current or former intimate partners or acquaintances.

Stalking Safety

Feeling safe is important for peace of mind, something victims of stalking understandably struggle with. While a stalker’s behavior is out of anyone’s control, there are certain steps stalking victims can take to better protect themselves, such as:

• Clearly communicate to the stalker their wishes to end any relationship and terminate all contact.
• Vary daily routines.
• Keep a written log of all stalking incidents.
• Save any text messages, voicemails, emails, and other forms of communication from the stalker.
• Notify family, friends, and neighbors of the situation and alert them of what they should do if contacted by the stalker.
• Ensure security at employment, building, and/or school has their picture and awareness of the situation.
• Notify the police.
• Seek a protective order.

Stalking Resources

Stalking is a crime under the laws of 50 states, the District of Columbia, the U.S. Territories, and the Federal government and should be taken seriously. Victims of stalking have various resources available to them, like:

• Working with an advocate or victim assistance provider. Assistance in finding someone trained in safety planning can be found via Victim Connect, the National Domestic Violence Hotline, and the National Sexual Assault Hotline.
• The police can be notified. 911 should be called, particularly if the stalking victim feels they are in any immediate danger.
• For information, other resources such as a Stalking Incident & Behavior Log, and more statistics, click here.

While any sort of unwelcome communication or interaction is unpleasant, it’s important to know the seriousness of stalking and the safety measures that can be taken to protect oneself.