Stalking

What is stalking?

A course of behavior that is obsessive and harrassing that causes the victim to fear for their safety and the safety of their friends or family members.

What can stalking look like?

• Repeated phone calls (including hang-ups)  and making annoying or threatening phone calls

• Vandalism of victim’s property

• Following victim or showing up at places victim frequents

• “Drive-bys” of victim’s home, work, school, friends, etc.

• Information gathering on victim – via the internet, post office, utilities, employer, school, etc.

• Sending letters, gifts, photographs, mementos

• Making false police reports against victim

• Contacting family members and friends of victim

• Violating restraining/stayaway orders

• “Spying” on victim and/or taking photographs of victim

What to do if you think you are being stalked:

• Document, document, document!!!
  • Stalking Incident Log & Telephone Call Log  - printable log here.

• Think about security:
  • Personal - be aware of surroundings
  • Residential - change locks, residential alarm, notify neighbors (neighborhood watch)
  • Workplace - notify employer, co-workers, security
  • Vehicle - look around, under, and in car before entering and then close door and lock car and then start ignition

• Look into obtaining restraining order from court

• Reach out. Call the 24-hour Support and Information Line 916.920.2952 and call 911 if you are in immediate danger

For more info check out: StalkingAwarenessMonth.org and the Stalking Resource Center

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