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January is National Stalking Awareness Month (NSAM)!
Stalking is a pattern of repeated and unwanted attention, harassment,
contact, or any other course of conduct directed at a specific person
that would cause a reasonable person to feel fear. Stalking is a serious,
often violent crime which can escalate over time. According to the Na-
tional Center for Victims of Crime, more than 85% of stalking survivors
report being stalked by someone they know. 61% of female stalking
survivors are stalked by current or former intimate partners.
Stalking is a prevalent crime that often co-occurs with domestic vio-
lence. Stalking can be an extension of power and control in an abusive
relationship, and many abusers stalk their partners both during and
after the relationship has ended. Intimate partner stalkers are the most
dangerous stalkers: they are more likely to approach victims, escalate
behaviors, re-offend and assault their victims.
According a National Congress of American Indians Policy Research Cen-
ter report from 2013, 17 percent of American Indian and Alaska Native
women reported being stalked in their lifetimes, this number is much
higher than that of any other race. In comparison, eight percent of
White women were reported to experience stalking in their lifetimes.
You can reach us at:
Office: 541-444-9680
What is stalking?
The definition of stalking includes that a reasonable person
would feel fear. It is important to note that fear is often
masked by other emotions: anger, frustration, hopelessness or
despair.
Stalkers use a variety of tactics including unwanted contact in-
cluding phone calls, texts and social media, unwanted gifts,
showing up and approaching family or friends, monitoring
whereabouts, and threatening.
What is the difference between stalking and harassment?
Stalking and harassment are similar and can overlap. The ele-
ment of fear is what separates the two.
Harassment is typically irritating and bothersome however, vic-
tims of harassment are not typically afraid of the perpetrator.
Stalking can start as harassment and escalate into behaviors
which cause the victim to live in fear.
If you or someone you know has experienced stalking,
the CARE Program is here to help.
24 Hour Hope Line:
541-994-5959
January 2020
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Siletz News
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