January 18th – National Day of Action for Stalking Awareness
What is stalking?
A working definition of stalking is a pattern of behavior directed at a specific person that would cause a reasonable person to fear for their safety or the safety of others, or suffer substantial emotional distress.
National Statistics
· Approximately 13.5 million people are stalked in a one-year period in the US.
· People aged 18-24 experience the highest rate of stalking victimization (among adults).
· 80% of stalking victims report being stalked through technology.
Ø 16% of victims 18-24 years old report the stalker shared nude, semi-nude, and/or sexually explicit photos of them
-Common Tactics include (as reported by victims):
-66% received unwanted phone calls, voicemails, texts
-55% received unwanted emails or social media messages
-32% monitored activities using social media
-29% posted/threatened to post inappropriate personal info
-22% spied on/monitored activities using tech
-14% tracked location with electronic device or app
· 46% of stalking victims fear not knowing what will happen next, 29% fear it will never stop.
· Stalkers can be anyone:
-42% were acquaintances
-40% were current/former intimate partners
-19% were strangers
-8% were brief encounters
-8% were family members
· 1 in 5 stalkers use weapons to threaten or harm their victims.
