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Stalking - Womenshealth - Gov: Violence Against Women

Stalking involves unwanted contact that makes the victim feel afraid or harassed. Stalking can include following, spying, sending unwanted messages, calling excessively, or showing up uninvited. Most stalkers are someone the victim knows, like a current or ex partner. Stalking is a crime and can escalate to physical violence. Victims should document incidents, get support, and contact authorities who can help obtain restraining orders or make arrests.

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23 views3 pages

Stalking - Womenshealth - Gov: Violence Against Women

Stalking involves unwanted contact that makes the victim feel afraid or harassed. Stalking can include following, spying, sending unwanted messages, calling excessively, or showing up uninvited. Most stalkers are someone the victim knows, like a current or ex partner. Stalking is a crime and can escalate to physical violence. Victims should document incidents, get support, and contact authorities who can help obtain restraining orders or make arrests.

Uploaded by

Soro Nahalourou
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
Download as pdf or txt
Download as pdf or txt
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Stalking | womenshealth.

gov
womenshealth.gov /violence-against-women/types-of-violence/stalking.html

Home > Violence Against Women > Types of violence against women

Violence Against Women

Stalking
Click the red escape button above to immediately leave this site if
your abuser may see you reading it.

Stalking is contact (usually two or more times) from someone that


makes you feel afraid or harassed.

Examples of stalking include:

Following or spying on you


Sending you unwanted emails or letters
Calling you often
Showing up at your house, school, or
work
Leaving you unwanted gifts

You can be stalked by a stranger, but most stalkers are people you know, like a
boyfriend or ex-boyfriend. Sometimes, a current partner will stalk you by calling very
often, texting constantly, or asking where you are all the time. These may be signs of
an abusive relationship.

Stalking is a crime and can be dangerous. To learn more about the laws against
stalking, contact the National Center for Victims of Crime helpline. Stalking can be very
frightening, and can make you feel out of control, anxious, and depressed. It can affect
your ability to sleep, eat, and work. If you are being stalked, get support from people
who care about you.

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If you think you are being stalked

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Help for stalking

If you or someone you know is being stalked, call The Stalking Resource Center
National Center for Victims of Crime Helpline.

Phone: 800-FYI-CALL (800-394-2255), Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. EST.


TDD: 800-211-7996
Email: [email protected]

If you think you're being stalked, consider these steps:

File a complaint with the police. Make sure to tell them about all threats.
If you are in immediate danger, find a safe place to go, like a police station,
friend's house, domestic violence shelter, fire station, or public area. If you can't
get out of danger, but can get to a phone, call 911.
Get a restraining order. A restraining order requires the stalker to stay away from
you and not contact you. You can learn how to get a restraining order from a
domestic violence shelter, the police, or an attorney in your area.
Write down every incident. Include the time, date, and other important
information.
Keep evidence such as videotapes, voicemail messages, photos of property
damage, and letters. Get names of witnesses.
Contact support systems to help you, including domestic violence and rape
crisis hotlines, domestic violence shelters, counseling services, and support
groups. Keep these numbers handy in case you need them.
Tell important people in your life about the stalking problem, including the police,
your employer, family, friends, and neighbors.
Carry a cellphone at all times so you can call for help.
Consider changing your phone number (though some people leave their number
active to collect evidence). You also can ask the phone company about call
blocking and other safety features.
Secure your home with alarms, locks, and motion-sensitive lights.

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Cyberstalking
Cyberstalking is using the Internet, email, or other electronic communications to stalk
someone. Examples of cyberstalking include:

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Sending unwanted, frightening, or obscene emails, text messages, or instant
messages (IMs)
Harassing or threatening someone in a chat room
Posting improper messages on a message board
Tracking your computer and Internet use
Sending electronic viruses
Pretending to be you in a chat room

If you are cyberstalked:

Send the person a clear, written warning not to contact you again
If the stalking continues, get help from the police. You also can contact a
domestic violence shelter and the National Center for Victims of Crime Helpline
for support and suggestions.
Print out copies of evidence such as emails. Keep a record of the stalking and
any contact with police.
Consider blocking messages from the harasser
Change your email address
File a complaint with the person's Internet Service Provider (ISP)
Never post online profiles or messages with details that could be used to identify
or locate you (such as age, sex, address, workplace, phone number, school, or
places you hang out)

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More information on Stalking

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Content last updated: September 30, 2015.

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