What is stalking

A pattern of repeated, unwanted behavior that would make someone afraid.

Some examples of stalking include:

• Another person following and/or spying on you
• Repeated unwanted and intrusive communications from the perpetrator by phone, mail, and/or e-mail
• Making direct or indirect threats to harm you or to people you care for
• Harassment through the Internet (cyberstalking)

 Familiarity and frequency of stalking

• One in 12 women and one in 45 men will be stalked in their lifetime
• 80 percent of people stalked on campus know their stalker (Fisher, Culler & Turner 2000)

 Is stalking dangerous? 

• Stalking can lead to physical violence resulting in serious injury or even death.
• It's often difficult to predict when and how a stalker will act or whether the unwanted intrusions into the victim's life will escalate into physical or sexual assaults.
• Some stalkers never move beyond threats and intimidation, while others do so with little warning.
• Victims may not know if action they take will stop the stalking or make things worse.
• Stalking is unpredictable. Victims should talk to trained victim assistance professionals about ways to improve their safety, their options, and resources available to help them and important to report stalking behavior to law enforcement.

This information was taken from The National Center for Victims of Crime.

If you, or someone you know, has experienced stalking please check out ourSurvivor Help section for information on options and support.