January is Stalking Awareness Month, a moment to acknowledge the reality that stalking affects up to 7.5 million Americans each year and show support for victims of this widespread crime. Much like domestic abuse and bullying, stalking can go unreported, unnoticed, and is often not remedied in ways that might restore peace to victims. Stalking is defined as the “purposeful following, watching, or harassment of another individual,” and it often takes place repeatedly over an extended period of time. It is considered a crime and is punishable by law in all 50 states; however, it is an exceptionally difficult thing for victims to report and cope with.
How To Know When Stalking Happens
- An unknown or unwanted person keeps showing up when you don’t expect it. A stalker might approach someone unexpectedly or turn up in places where the victim does not want to run into them. Stalking is a violation of a person’s boundaries and can cause significant distress to a victim.
- They know your schedule. A stalker might follow a victim throughout daily commutes or errands and observe them from a distance. If you find yourself running into someone repeatedly around your home, school, or locations you frequent, it may be cause for concern.
- They seem to know private details about your life. In some cases, a stalker will spy on a victim with a listening device, camera, or GPS location tracker.
- You keep getting unwanted calls or texts. Stalkers might also take to remote methods, bothering a victim with phone calls, emails, or text messages. Receiving multiple calls or anonymous messages from an unknown person may indicate that there is a stalking problem.
- They’ve found you on social media. Because people often have personal details that can be found online, cyberstalking is on the rise. If a person is harassing you with emails, social media messages, or is making false claims about you on the internet, their behavior is more than annoying – it is illegal.
If you or someone you know suspects that someone is stalking you, do not hesitate to call 911 or seek help from someone you trust. Children – especially girls and young women – should be encouraged to trust their instincts. In 75% of known stalking cases, the offender is someone the victim knows. If something feels uncomfortable, and an unwanted person keeps repeatedly showing up, chances are, their intentions are malicious. Victims should keep a record of stalkers and preserve any evidence at the moment that stalking occurs. Photograph your stalker if you see them and save any text messages or voicemails they send you.
For additional resources and ways to get involved in community efforts to put an end to stalking, visit https://www.stalkingawareness.org/stalking-awareness-month-2022/
