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Stalking Facts

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 Resource Center

Stalking Violence Against Women Office Online Resources Facts on Stalking [PDF]