Stalking
Stalking, like domestic violence is comprised of a pattern of behaviors, some of which
can meet the legal criminal definition of stalking, depending on your state's laws.
Domestic violence is not always involved in stalking cases, however, stalking is almost
always a part of domestic violence.
Stalking in America, Findings From the National Violence Against Women Survey
prepared by the US Department of Justice in 1998 found that 1,006,970 women and
370,990 men are stalked annually in the United States. These findings were from
reported cases of stalking. Experts believe actual numbers are much higher. In 2006,
the Center for Disease Control conducted a survey regarding stalking and found that
the reported number stalking incidents remain relatively similar.
Stalking is a lethal and insidious crime, which often leads to more serious crimes, even
murder. Both men and women can be victims, but statistics show males are more likely
to be the perpetrator. A femicide study (homicide of a female), "Stalking and Intimate
Partner Femicide", McFarlane et. al, revealed that 76% of femicide victims, and 85% of
attempted femicide victims had been stalked a year prior to their murder. The study
found 88% of femicide victims, and 68% of attempted femicide victims were stalked by
their former intimate partners. The thought process that stranger stalking is more
dangerous than former intimate partner stalking is erroneous.
All 50 states have stalking laws. Stalking is generally defined as a patter of behavior or
course of conduct which causes the victim to fear for his or her safety, or that of their
family. Some states require a certain number of incidents to occur before stalking can
be charged, others require that the victim be threatened.
Some stalking behaviors can include following, threatening, repeatedly calling, or
harassing the victim. Repeated restraining order violations can be considered stalking.
Leaving unwanted notes, sending flowers when unwanted, repeated text messages can
all be considered stalking.
Most stalking occurs from intimate-partner relationships. As with domestic violence,
stalking is about controlling another person. A stalker might not allow the victim to use
his or her own vehicle, but rather drive the victim to work and watch the victim all day
from across the street. The stalker might call the victim repeatedly at work or check all
of the victim's voicemail and email messages. Stalkers normally do not allow the victim
to leave a relationship - the "if I can't have you nobody can have you" behavior.
Stalkers often become enraged when a victim attempts to end the relationship. What
the World may see as a victim staying in and accepting a dysfunctional or violent
relationship might actually be stalking.
In the computer age, there is also cyber-stalking, or stalking by use of technology.
Most states have amended their stalking codes to include the use of technology.
As stated above, there are stalking behaviors. However, in order for a criminal
prosecution to be pursued, the stalking behavior must meet your state's legal criminal
definition of stalking. Most states require that the victim either experience fear for their
safety, or experience overt threats. To view the stalking laws in your state, or learn
more information, visit The National Center for Victims of Crime Stalking Resource
Centers web site at www.ncvc.org/src.
If you are being stalked, let your "gut" be your guide. Your intuition is your best friend.
Listen to your instincts. There is no standard solution to your case, and no suggestions
contained within this web site can guarantee your safety. If you are being stalked,
remember that you are not alone and it is not your fault. It is best to let someone know
and document each and every incident. Discuss your case with a victim advocate or
criminal justice professional. Formulate a safety plan and understand that you are not
at-fault. You are not responsible for a stalker's behavior, nor can you stop it. You are;
however, responsible for your own safety.
Remember that many victims have survived this crime and the difficulty of enduring a
prosecution. They have learned they are strong and could bloom, no matter the
adversity. So can you!
can meet the legal criminal definition of stalking, depending on your state's laws.
Domestic violence is not always involved in stalking cases, however, stalking is almost
always a part of domestic violence.
Stalking in America, Findings From the National Violence Against Women Survey
prepared by the US Department of Justice in 1998 found that 1,006,970 women and
370,990 men are stalked annually in the United States. These findings were from
reported cases of stalking. Experts believe actual numbers are much higher. In 2006,
the Center for Disease Control conducted a survey regarding stalking and found that
the reported number stalking incidents remain relatively similar.
Stalking is a lethal and insidious crime, which often leads to more serious crimes, even
murder. Both men and women can be victims, but statistics show males are more likely
to be the perpetrator. A femicide study (homicide of a female), "Stalking and Intimate
Partner Femicide", McFarlane et. al, revealed that 76% of femicide victims, and 85% of
attempted femicide victims had been stalked a year prior to their murder. The study
found 88% of femicide victims, and 68% of attempted femicide victims were stalked by
their former intimate partners. The thought process that stranger stalking is more
dangerous than former intimate partner stalking is erroneous.
All 50 states have stalking laws. Stalking is generally defined as a patter of behavior or
course of conduct which causes the victim to fear for his or her safety, or that of their
family. Some states require a certain number of incidents to occur before stalking can
be charged, others require that the victim be threatened.
Some stalking behaviors can include following, threatening, repeatedly calling, or
harassing the victim. Repeated restraining order violations can be considered stalking.
Leaving unwanted notes, sending flowers when unwanted, repeated text messages can
all be considered stalking.
Most stalking occurs from intimate-partner relationships. As with domestic violence,
stalking is about controlling another person. A stalker might not allow the victim to use
his or her own vehicle, but rather drive the victim to work and watch the victim all day
from across the street. The stalker might call the victim repeatedly at work or check all
of the victim's voicemail and email messages. Stalkers normally do not allow the victim
to leave a relationship - the "if I can't have you nobody can have you" behavior.
Stalkers often become enraged when a victim attempts to end the relationship. What
the World may see as a victim staying in and accepting a dysfunctional or violent
relationship might actually be stalking.
In the computer age, there is also cyber-stalking, or stalking by use of technology.
Most states have amended their stalking codes to include the use of technology.
As stated above, there are stalking behaviors. However, in order for a criminal
prosecution to be pursued, the stalking behavior must meet your state's legal criminal
definition of stalking. Most states require that the victim either experience fear for their
safety, or experience overt threats. To view the stalking laws in your state, or learn
more information, visit The National Center for Victims of Crime Stalking Resource
Centers web site at www.ncvc.org/src.
If you are being stalked, let your "gut" be your guide. Your intuition is your best friend.
Listen to your instincts. There is no standard solution to your case, and no suggestions
contained within this web site can guarantee your safety. If you are being stalked,
remember that you are not alone and it is not your fault. It is best to let someone know
and document each and every incident. Discuss your case with a victim advocate or
criminal justice professional. Formulate a safety plan and understand that you are not
at-fault. You are not responsible for a stalker's behavior, nor can you stop it. You are;
however, responsible for your own safety.
Remember that many victims have survived this crime and the difficulty of enduring a
prosecution. They have learned they are strong and could bloom, no matter the
adversity. So can you!
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| "Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me," Psalm 23 |