FACSAFOUNDATION.ORG SHATTERING THE SILENCE TOUR DOCUMENTARY PROJECT Volume 2 January 2015 | Page 12
JANUARY IS STALKING PREVENTION MONTH
BY: CONNIE LEE
Stalking affects millions of people each year, yet is highly underreported. Stalking
is directed at an individual or group of individuals over a specified time to cause
emotional fear, harassment, physical or psychological damage. President Obama
declared January as National Stalking Awareness Month.
Like many crimes, education, awareness, and prevention are crucial to the survival
of an individual. It is imperative to report someone stalking you, even if you feel
compelled to brush it off and think it is nothing. If something does happen, you
want to make sure it is recorded on file; keeping a journal of events is helpful as
well.
According to the United States Department of Health and Human Services Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention, which released its first National Intimate
Partner and Sexual Violence Survey (NISVS), reported stalking is a serious issue.
NISVS data shows that:
Nearly one in six women has experienced stalking so severe that she felt
very fearful or believed that she or someone close to her would be
harmed or killed.
One in 19 men has experienced the same level of stalking.
Women were particularly likely to be stalked by a current or former
intimate partner.
Stalking behaviors can include seemingly innocuous acts, such as making
unwanted phone calls; sending unsolicited or unwanted letters or emails; or leaving
unwanted items, presents or flowers, but when taken together, and when feared by
the victim, may constitute a criminal act. Other forms of stalking include following
or spying on the victim; showing up without a legitimate reason at places where
the victim is likely to be; waiting at places for the victim; and posting information
or spreading rumors about the victim on the internet, in a public place, or by word
of mouth.
Newer technologies, such as text messaging, emails, and electronic monitoring
devices (including cameras and GPS), are also used by perpetrators to stalk