In the past few years, the rates of stalking have increased in the United States. The Department of Justice defines stalking as “a pattern of repeated and unwanted attention, harassment, contact, or any other course of conduct directed at a specific person that would cause a reasonable person to feel fear.”
According to the Stalking Resource Center, about 7.5 million people are stalked every year in the United States. It is a crime in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and most U.S. Territories. Most victims are actually stalked by someone they know. Only one in eight women and one in five male victims are stalked by a stranger. And many victims, about 37 percent of men and 41 percent of women, do not report this behavior to the police. Some don’t believe the behavior is criminal, and others do not believe that law enforcement will take them seriously. But it is a very serious crime.
Persons aged 18 to 24 are at the highest riskfor becoming victims. Generally, the risk of being stalked decreases with age. Typically, the stalker is a former intimate partner, but it doesn’t always have to be. Stalkers use a variety of methods to stalk their victim, from following and making frequent phone calls to the target, to using electronic surveillance and computer monitoring to harass and threaten the victim. Stalkers do not go away when ignored. Usually the behavior escalates over time.
Effects of Stalking on the Victim
Stalking victims most commonly fear what is going to happen next. Victims often suffer from anxiety, insomnia and severe depression at rates much higher than the general population. About one-third of victims fear that the stalking will never stop. Almost 15 percent of victims move as a result of the stalking. Employed stalking victims lose work, five days of work or even more, because of stalking. Fifty-four percent of female victims who reported the stalking to the police were killed by their stalker. Many victims are also victims of intimate partner abuse.
In turn, stalking affects communities. When men and women are stalked, the community must provide victim services to those individuals. Victims miss work, which reduces productivity at places of employment. The children of stalking victims might miss school or need more services because of PTSD and fear. Families of victims are also affected and may be threatened if they attempt to help the person being stalked.
What Can You Do?
It’s when we come together and make people aware of the problem that it can be addressed in your community. January has been designated as National Stalking Awareness Month. President Barack Obama said in his 2016 Presidential Proclamation, “As we embark on a new year, let us resolve to make it one in which every person can safely and confidently make of their lives what they will. By holding stalkers accountable and providing victims and survivors with the support and assistance they need, we can ensure ours is a Nation dedicated to promoting safety, common decency, and respect.”
Here are some preventative things you can do:
- Watch “Stalking: Real Fear, Real Crime,” which is available on YouTube.
- Know your state’s laws about stalking, which can be found at Victimsofcrime.org. Search for “stalking laws.”
- org provides 31 days of social media messaging examples for January. Post on Facebook or Twitter to let others know that help is available.
- Talk to individuals in your circle about promoting information. Let your friends know you will support them if they are a victim.
Stalking is very serious. When you hear that a friend is being victimized, encourage that person to contact law enforcement. Stand with them as they go through the process of reporting the crime and pursuing justice.