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Stalking

Stalking is a pattern of repeated, unwanted attention, harassment, and contact. Isolated acts may not be considered stalking, but where there is a pattern, the behavior is generally illegal. It is a course of conduct that can include:

Following or laying in wait for the victim
Repeated unwanted, intrusive, and frightening communications from the perpetrator by phone, mail, and/or e-mail
Damaging the victim's property
Making direct or indirect threats to harm the victim, the victim's children, relatives, friends, or pets
Repeatedly sending the victim unwanted gifts
Harassment through the Internet, known as cyberstalking, online stalking, or Internet stalking
Securing personal information about the victim by: accessing public records (land records, phone listings, driver or voter registration), using Internet search services, hiring private investigators, contacting friends, family, work, or neighbors, going through the victim's garbage, following the victim, etc.

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 our Survivor Help section for information on options and support.

Stalking Information

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