Stalking is defined as willful course or conduct involving repeated or continued harassment of another individual that would cause a person to feel terrorized, frightened, threatened or harassed.
Statistics
According to the National Violence Against Women Survey that was conducted in 2000 found that:
- 59% of female victims were stalked by former intimate partners.
- 21% of victims said that the stalking occurred before the relationship ended, 43% said it occurred after the relationship ended, and 36% said it occurred both before and after the relationship ended.
- In a recent study of relationship between stalking and intimate partner homicide it was found that 76% of cases in which female victims were murdered, 85% of cases of attempted murder of a female partner involved at least one incident of stalking within one year of the murder. (McFarlane, J.M. Stalking and Intimate Partner Femicide, Homicide Studies, November 1999)
Behaviors that constitute stalking: (Source: Stalking Resource Center)
- Unwanted mail, telephone calls, email, etc.
- Persistent physical approaches and/or requests for dates, meetings, etc.
- Notes or flowers are left at a person’s residence or car
- Following a person or coincidentally showing up at places the person frequents.
- Threatening mail, telephone calls, notes, email
- Vandalism/destruction of a person’s property
- Breaking into a person’s car and/or house
What to do if you believe you are a victim of stalking:
- Contact University Police at 336.758.5911 or 911 (Do not try to handle the situation yourself, GET HELP)
- Preserve all evidence (letters, notes, email, answering machine messages, gifts, etc.)
- Never leave your residence unlocked, even if you are inside the residence
- Keep a journal of all stalking incidents (e.g., date, time, place, event and witnesses)
- Do not walk or ride alone
- Stay in the company of people you know and trust.
- Alter you travel routes often
Helpful Links
Stalking Violence Against Women Office Online Resources Facts on Stalking [PDF]
