Stalking
Stalking is one person’s harassing, obsessive, or threatening behavior towards another person. Basically, any repetitive, unwanted contact between a stalker and a victim or any behavior that threatens or places fear in that person constitutes stalking. Each state defines stalking by its state legal statutes. In Virginia, stalking became a crime in 1992. A Cyberstalking law in Virginia was enacted in 2000.
Prevalence
- 1 out of every 12 U.S. Women (8.2 million) and 1 out of every 45 U.S men (2 million) has been stalked at some point.
- An estimated 1.4 million people are stalked annually.
- 13.1% of college women were stalked during one semester of college.
Source: National Center for Victims of Crime, 2004
Stalking and Sexual Assault
- 13% of the college women had been stalked since the school year began.
- 81% of stalking victims who were stalked by an intimate partner reported that they had also been physically assaulted by that partner.
- 31% were also sexually assaulted by that partner.
Stalking on Campus
The college campus is a stalker’s dream; it is a closed environment and it is easy to determine a student’s schedule. A student’s movements are predictable and access to residences as well as academic buildings may be easy for the stalker than in off-campus housing.
- 80.3% of campus stalking victims knew their stalkers
- 42.5% stalked by a current/former boyfriend
- 24.5% stalked by a classmate
- 10.3% stalked by an acquaintance
- 5.6% stalked by a friend
- 5.6% stalked by a coworker
- 3 in 10 women reported being injured emotionally or psychologically from being stalked.
- In 15% of incidents, the victim reported that the stalker either threatened or attempted to harm them.
- In 10% of incidents, the victim reported that the stalker forced or attempted sexual contact.
Source: National Center for Victims of Crime, 2004
Reduce Your Risk on Campus
- Never leave your dorm room unlocked, even if you are inside the room. Think safety. If you live off-campus, keep your doors locked.
- Some stalkers prey on student e-mail. If you suspect you may be a victim of unwanted e-mail communication, contact the campus police.
- Be cautious of tutors. Do not answer blind ads for tutoring sessions. Use tutors recommended by the professor. Never meet a tutor alone in your room. Always arrange to meet in a public place, such as the library or computer lab.
- Ask the registrar to put a freeze on your personal information if you suspect that you are being stalked through the records database.
- Other tools a stalker uses on college campuses include: the telephone, the Internet, peers, fitness centers, clubs, and advertising for models. Remember to be cautious.
Are You Being Stalked?
Anyone can be a victim of stalking, including dating and domestic violence survivors. Domestic stalkers often use threats that only the victim will recognize. Eight percent of women have been stalked in their lifetime. Two percent of stalking cases end in murder. Many stalking cases start or end as sexual assault.
Stalking can be difficult to identify at first. Initially a victim may not feel there is any cause for alarm and may feel flattered by the attention. If the behavior escalates and becomes more overt, it may present a very real threat to the victim. Examples of stalking are:
- Sitting outside your home or worksite
- Repeated, non-threatening mail or e-mail, beeper codes, or phone calls
- Persistent physical approaches and/or requests for dates or meetings
- Notes or flowers left on your car
- “Coincidental” appearances where you are
- Waiting next to your car in the parking lot
- Spreading rumors and/or telling secrets about you
- Vandalism or destruction of property
- Threatening mail, e-mail, phone messages
- Breaking into your residence (dorm or home) when no one is there, or when you are home
- Physical assault, sexual assault, murder
What to Do if You Are Stalked
Get Help. The first thing a victim of stalking should do is get help. Consider going to the police to file criminal charges and/or obtain a protective order. The situation will not go away by itself. However, keep in mind that protective orders may increase the threat of violence. Request that law enforcement agencies log your complaint each time you call, regardless of whether or not they respond. Request a copy of your report.
Tell your stalker to stop. You or your attorney can send a registered letter to the stalker stating that he/she must stop the behavior immediately.
Tell someone. Do not attempt to deal with the situation alone. Tell a friend or family member about the stalking and document the stalker’s behavior. List date, time, place, what happened, any witnesses, and give a copy of the information to a friend or relative for safekeeping.
Develop a support system. Keep in touch with friends who are supportive and understanding. Give friends, co-workers, relatives, and neighbors a description of the stalker. Ask them to watch for the stalker, document everything they see, and give a written account to you.
Never underestimate the stalker’s potential for violence. Take all threats seriously. Not all threats are verbal; some nonverbal threats may be the sending of unwanted notes, cards, or gifts.
Do not attempt to communicate with the stalker at all. The stalker may misinterpret this communication as a form of encouragement.
Use an answering machine and get an unlisted phone number. Use the answering machine to screen your calls. Have emergency numbers posted by the phone. Consider using a cell phone. Remember to keep your cell phone charged and to have it with you at all times.
If you are being followed, go to a safe area, DO NOT DRIVE HOME. Drive to the nearest police station or a busy place. Use your horn to attract attention.
Form a contingency plan. Keep all critical phone numbers handy. Keep a packed suitcase in the trunk of the car or in a ready location for a quick departure. Keep some money reserved for emergencies. Keep gas in the car, leave copies of keys with a friend you trust, and always alert law enforcement, family and friends of the situation and potential crisis.
Take Pictures. When you see the stalker, try to take a photograph if it can be done safely.
Save Everything. Save all written materials. Date all cards, letters, notes, and envelopes you have from the stalker.
Keep all legal documents. Obtain and keep copies of warrants, protective orders, court orders and other legal documents.
DO NOT ATTEMPT TO HANDLE THE SITUATION ALONE!
from GMU Sexual Assault Services Web site