Title IX Corner: Stalking Prevention Awareness Month

According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics, 3.4 million people over the age of 18 are stalked each year in the United States.  More than 1 in 4 stalking victims reported some form of technology was used, such as e-mail (83%) or instant messaging (35%).  3 in 4 stalking victims are stalked by someone they know.

Warning Signs

Stay alert for warning signs of a stalker.  Indications include:

• repeatedly calling, texting and hanging up,
• following and showing up wherever you are, sending unwanted gifts, letters, cards, or e-mails,
• damaging your home, car, or other property, monitoring your phone calls, computer use, or social network account,
• hacking into your social networking accounts or e-mail, using technology to track where you go,
• driving by or hanging  out at your apartment/residence hall, outside your classroom or at your work,
• threatening to hurt you, your family, friends or pets,
• finding out about you by using public records or online search services,
• hiring private investigators,
• going through your garbage,
• contacting your friends, classmates, family, neighbors, or co-workers,
• and any other actions that control or frighten you.

Victim Advocacy

The prevalence of anxiety, insomnia, social dysfunction, and severe depression is much higher among stalking victims than the general population, especially if the stalking involves being followed or having one’s property destroyed. Student Affairs and your Title IX Coordinator provide support services and resources on campus.

The National Center for Victims of Crime partnered with the U.S. Department of Justice Office on Violence Against Women to create the Stalking Resource Center (SRC). Visit their websites for more information.