Stalking

WHAT IS STALKING?

• Stalking is the act of a person who, on more than one occasion, follows, pursues or harasses another person, and by actively engaging in a pattern of conduct, causing the victim to believe the stalker will cause physical harm or mental distress to them.
• Pattern of Conduct means two or more actions or incidents closely related in time, whether or not there has been a prior conviction based on any of those actions or incidents.
• Mental Distress means any mental illness or condition that involves incapacity for a short time or a condition that would require psychiatric treatment.

STALKING STATISTICS:

STATISTICS ABOUT VICTIMS:

1. 1,006,970 women and 370,990 men are stalked annually in the U.S.

2. 77% of female victims and 64% of male victims know their stalker.

3. 59% of female victims and 30% of male victims are stalked by an intimate partner.

4. 73% of intimate partner stalkers verbally threatened victims with physical violence, and almost 64% of victims experienced one or more violent incidents by the stalker.

5. Average duration of stalking is 1.8 years.

6. If stalking involves intimate partners, average duration is 2.2 years.

STATISTICS ABOUT STALKERS:

1. 2/3 of stalkers pursue their victims at least once per week, many daily, using more than one method.

2. 78% of stalkers use more that one means of approach.

3. Weapons are used to harm or threaten victims in 1 out of 5 cases.

4. Intimate partner stalkers frequently approach their targets, and their behaviors escalate quickly.

STATISTICS ABOUT STALKING ON COLLEGE CAMPUSES

1. 13% of college women were stalked during 6-9 month period.

2. 80% of campus stalking victims knew their stalkers.

3. 3 in 10 college women reported being injured emotionally or psychologically from being stalked.

STATISTICS ABOUT STALKING AND INTIMATE PARTNER FEMICIDE

1. 76% of intimate partner femicide victims had been stalked by their intimate partner.

2. 67% had been abused by their intimate partner.

3. 54% of femicide victims reported stalking to police before they were killed by their stalkers.

WHOM DO STALKERS TARGET?

Anyone can be targeted by a stalker. Stalkers are often former spouses or partners. A stalker may target a public figure or celebrity, a child, a casual acquaintance, or a complete stranger. Victims have said that stalking has changed the way their live their lives. A stalker may intrude by by following a victim to and from home, work, or social activities. A stalker sometimes intrudes by making harassing telephone calls, or sending threatening mail.

STALKING BEHAVIORS:

Stalking, be definition, is not a one-time act, but a course of conduct. It may involve a mix of patently criminal acts and acts that, in isolation, would seem non-threatening. It is the pattern and context of these non-criminal acts that constitute stalking. Stalking often includes:

1. Assaulting the victim.

2. Violating protective orders.

3. Sexually assaulting the victim.

4. Vandalizing the victim's property.

5. Burglarizing the victim's home or otherwise stealing from the victim.

6. Threatening the victim.

7. Killing the victims pet(s).

Other common stalking behaviors include:

1. Sending the victim cards or gifts.

2. Leaving telephone or e-mail messages for the victim.

3. Disclosing to the victim personal information the offender has discovered about him or her.

4. Disseminating personal information about the victim to others.

5. Following the victim.

6. Visiting the victim at work or school.

7. Waiting outside the victim's house.

8. Sending the victim photographs taken of him or her without consent.

9. Monitoring the victim's internet history and computer usage.

10. Using technology to gather images of or information about the victim.

WHAT ARE THE CRIMINAL OFFENSES INVOLVED?

The specific criminal offenses involved in stalking obviously vary from state to state. Some states have passed laws specifically prohibiting "menacing by stalking". In most states, these laws have increasing penalties for repeat offenses. In addition, to stalking, other crimes involved may include domestic violence, telephone harassment, menacing assault, criminal trespass and burglary.

WHAT SHOULD THE VICTIM DO?

1. Notify the Police:

This is the first thing victims of stalking incident should do. They should notify the police department where they live and where they work.

2. Maintain a Record:

The victim should maintain a detailed record of each encounter with the stalker. Included in this record of incidents should be dates, times, locations, complete description of the offender, words spoken, actions taken during the incident, actions taken afterward and names of witnesses. The victim may also wish to tape record threats made over the telephone or in direct encounters. Maintaining a record will allow the victim to recall the incidents should they need to provide the police with information or testify in court.

3. Seek a Protection Order:

Temporary, emergency or civil protection orders (the terminology may differ between jurisdiction) are court orders intended to keep the stalker away from the victim by making it illegal for the stalker to have contact with the victim. In most jurisdictions, a person who violates this order can be found in contempt of court and jailed or fined. A person who violates a protection order is guilty of a criminal offense,usually a misdemeanor, but sometimes a felony, and is subject to criminal prosecution.

4. Develop and Implement a Safety Plan:

A safety plan is designed to clearly state what to do if you ever need to leave your home and abuser. Creating a safety plan in advance will help you to retain control during your escape. Leaving is very dangerous and it is very important to plan in advance to maintain safety.

5. What should I do in advance?

1. Have important numbers nearby (police, friends, family, shelter, hotlines).

2. Ask a neighbor to beware of suspicious activity in your home and to call police for help.

3. Plan an escape route and practice it often. Plan an escape route from work as well.

4. Keep a "ready bag" packed with all of your important documents (driver's license, and registration, birth certificates, social security cards, insurance papers, etc.), extra cash, address book, prescription medications, clothes, cell phone, etc. Keep it hidden, but easy to grab quickly.

5. Think about where you could go if you needed to leave in an emergency - have more than one place in mind.

6. Leave extra money, car keys, and copies of important documents with someone you trust.

7. Open a savings account or get a credit card in your name.

8. Have a "code word" to use with your family and others you trust.

SAFETY TIPS:

• Advise your employer of the stalking incidents - they can lend support or possible intervention.
• Treat any threat as a legitimate threat and notify police immediately.
• Program 9-1-1 on your cell phone. Oftentimes, the "1" key on your cell phone is automatically programmed for 9-1-1.
• Be sure your vehicle doors are locked while you are in the vehicle, and check in and around the vehicle before entering it.
• Request that someone escort you to and from your vehicle while arriving at/leaving your workplace.
• Avoid waling alone, especially at night or in isolated areas.
• Install deadbolts on your doors.
• Keep your home phone number unlisted; contact your local phone company to assist in tracing the origin of unsolicited calls.
• Use an answering machine to screen your calls; saved messages not only document the call, but may assist police as well.