Stalking

Stalking is two or more acts, including, but not limited to, acts in which the stalker directly, indirectly, or through third parties, by any action, method, device, or means, is in the presence of, or follows, monitors, observes, surveils, threatens, or communicates to or about a person, or interferes with a person’s property and/or harasses a person causing a reasonable person to experience emotional distress and fear for the person’s safety or the safety of the person’s immediate family or close personal associate.

Tips if Stalked:

  • Tell the stalker clearly to ‘STOP’ the behavior and document this action.
  • Do not engage or communicate with the stalker as it reinforces the person’s stalking behaviors.
  • Keep an incident log. Log every time the stalker contacts you.
  • Tell your friends, family, an NCSU authority, and/or co-workers that you are being stalked and solicit their help.
  • Provide a picture and information about the person’s vehicle if possible to important people.
  • Change your patterns.
  • Ensure your home, apartment, or dorm room is secured.
  • Consider whether relocating is necessary.
  • Consider increasing privacy settings or discontinuing use of social media.
  • Consider whether to block phone calls or to change telephone numbers.
  • Consider the risks and benefits of pursuing a protection order.

Stalking Statistics:

  • Approximately half of all victims of stalking reported that they were stalked before the age of 25 (Breiding et al., 2011).
  • 15% of women and 6% of men have experienced stalking victimization at some point during their lifetime (Breiding et al., 2011).
  • 61% of women & 44% of males are stalked by a current or former intimate partner (Breiding et al., 2011).
  • 25% of women and 32% of men are stalked by an acquaintance (Breiding et al., 2011).
  • 76% of intimate partner femicide victims have been stalked by their partner or ex-partner (McFarlane et al., 1999).
  • Almost 1/3 of stalkers have stalked before (Mohandie et al., 2006).
  • 2/3 of stalkers pursue their victims at least once per week (Mohandie et al., 2006).
  • 78% of stalkers use more than one means of approach (Mohandie et al., 2006).

How to Help a Survivor:

  • DO listen to and believe the survivor.
  • DO validate survivor’s feelings. Tell the survivor that what happened was not his/her fault, and that (s)he did not deserve it.
  • DO help the survivor find resources in case (s)he wants to report or press charges. Look up NCSU’s sexual assault, domestic violence, and stalking policies and the legal protections offered through Title IX and the Clery Act.
  • DO REPORT the incident as a CSA (Campus Security Authority), Responsible Employee, and/or under Title IX obligations.
  • DO help the survivor find NCSU’s victims advocate services through the Women’s Center and/or connect to the NCSU Counseling Center.
  • DO understand your own limits. As much as you want to be there the individual, licensed psychologists, counselors, and psychiatrists have the training to offer long-term support. Take care of yourself and your own mental health, and encourage the individual to see a counselor.