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Stalking Awareness Month

  • Writer: IHCRC
    IHCRC
  • 5 days ago
  • 2 min read

January is National Stalking Awareness Month. Stalking affects almost 42% of American Indian/Alaska Native women and 30% of American Indian/Alaska Native men in their lifetimes. Most victims are stalked by someone they know. Stalking victims suffer much higher rates of depression, anxiety, insomnia, and social dysfunction than those who don’t experience stalking.


WHAT IS STALKING?

The Stalking Prevention, Awareness and Resource Center (SPARC) categorizes stalking

behaviors into four strategies:



  • Surveillance

  • Life Invasion

  • Intimidation

  • Interference through sabotage or attack


In addition, stalking behaviors are varied and may change over time, and most stalkers engage in multiple tactics to scare their victims. Stalking can include making unwanted phone calls or sending unwanted gifts, approaching the victim or showing up in places when the victim does not want them to, following and watching the victim, sending unwanted texts, photos, emails, and messages through social media, or using technology to monitor and track the victim.


PROTECTION & SAFETY

If you feel that you’re being stalked, trust your instincts. Stalkers are dangerous, and your concern is justified. Report stalking to your local law enforcement agency, especially if you feel you’re in immediate danger. It’s a good idea to have a safety plan; you can work with someone from a domestic violence or victim services agency to develop one. If you believe you’re being stalked, consider stopping all communication with the stalker and start keeping a log of all stalking incidents. Inform your family and friends of what to do if the stalker contacts them. You can also get a protective order. If you need more information about how to proceed if you’re being stalked, you can find links to several organizations on the DV Hub on the IHCRC website.


SOURCES

Smith, S.G., Basile, K.C., & Kresnow, M. (2022). The National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey (NISVS): 2016/2017 Report on Stalking. Atlanta, GA: National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease control and Prevention.


Blaauw, E., Arensman, E., Winkel, F.W., Freeve, A., & Sheridan, L. (2002). The Toll of Stalking. Journal of Interpersonal Violence 17(1): 50-63


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