Stalking Statistics

• 4 out of 5 stalking victims are women.
• Most victims of stalking are young. 56% of victims were between the ages of 18-39.
• In many cases, the duration of stalking activity can be more than a year.
• 1 out of 13 women and 1 out of 45 men have been stalked sometime in their lifetime.
• Most stalking cases involve victims and offenders who know each other.
• 234 cases of cyberstalking were reported in 2008.

Stalking Definition:

Harassing or threatening behavior that an individual engages in repeatedly, such as following a person, appearing at a person's home or place of business, making harassing phone calls, leaving written messages or objects, harassing via the internet or computer, or vandalizing a person's property. These actions often have specific intent to cause the victim fear. These actions may or may not be accompanied by a credible threat of serious harm, and they may or may not be pre-cursors to an assault or murder.

Warning Signs:

You are the expert! No one list of warning signs will tell you if you are a victim. If you are concerned you are being stalked, some warning signs to watch for from a person you suspect includes:

• Frequent loss of temper.
• Abuse of alcohol and/or drugs.
• Extreme jealousy.
• Expects you to spend all of your time with him or inform him of your whereabouts.
• Following.
• Threats.
• Physical or verbal abuse.
• Puts you down in front of your friends.
• Talks about violence or is fascinated with themes of violence.
• Makes your family or friends feel scared or uneasy.
• Offers of unsolicited help.
• Refuses to accept "no" for an answer.
• Isolates you from your friends and /or family.

Tips if You are being Stalked

• Secure your home or living area.
• File criminal charges and request for a restraining order.
• Keep a log of all contacts made by the stalker, noting the date and time and what was communicated.
• Save all evidence, no matter how inconsequential it seems.
• Use an unlisted phone number.
• Be selective in giving out your phone number.
• Vary your normal travel routes.
• Get a cell phone and keep it with you.
• Inform trusted neighbors, resident assistants in the dorms, or roommates of the situation and provide them with photos or descriptions of the offender and the offender's car.
• Have roommates screen calls.
• Use an answering machine to screen calls and record inappropriate calls.
• If you work on campus, advise your campus employer, and campus security.

Remember:

Abuse is not your fault.
You are not alone.
FREE & CONFIDENTIAL help is available at
The P.E.A.C.E. Project


California University of Pennsylvania
The P.E.A.C.E. Project
G45 Carter Hall
California, PA 15419
Telephone: (724) 938-5707

Email: peace@calu.edu