Who's Stalking Now?

Who's stalking now? That's a good question. Actually, anyone can stalk someone and anyone can be the victim of stalking.

Stalking is a crime that affects over one million women and nearly 375,000 men each year in America. Victims of stalking are harassed and intimidated and, in far too many cases, physically harmed and even murdered. It is a pervasive crime that merits our collective concern and dedication to collaborative prevention and response efforts.

Statistics from the National Violence Against Women Survey tell us that approximately 1.5 million people are stalked every year in the United States and 4 out of 5 of those victims are women. Most often, female victims were stalked by an intimate partner.

There is a strong correlation between intimate partner stalking and the related crimes of domestic violence and sexual assault.It is important to educate everyone about the types of stalking behaviors. Stalking can include repeated phone calls, following, damage to property or homes, and any other action that controls or frightens someone.Increasingly, more individuals are engaged in “cyberstalking” by using the internet, chat rooms, message boards, and electronic tracking devices to harass their victims.

Any form of stalking can be terrifying, no matter what the age of the victim, or whether the victim knows the stalker or not.Education and safety planning is critical to the prevention and detection of this serious crime. OVW is committed to keeping stalking victims safe and holding stalkers accountable for their deplorable actions---not just in January, but in every month of the year.

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. Visit Legal section for more information.

-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, and family, friends and neighbors.

Internet Safety Alert:*If you think your activities are being monitored, please try to use a safer computer which is unknown or un-accessible to your abuser.

Trust is a huge issue when going through stalking and tough relationships, but that's when I learned to lean on and trust in God even more. He showed me that although certain people in my life were trying to hurt me, He was trying to get me into a safer, better environment to bring healing and take all my former pain away. So this New Year's Day, I pray blessings, healing, safety, and a bright future over all of you who may be seeking a safe refuge during this time--

God bless,

Lisa Freeman