(Clarksdale, Miss.) — January marks National Stalking Awareness Month (NSAM), an annual call to action to recognize and respond to this traumatic and dangerous crime. NSAM highlights stalking as a serious form of interpersonal violence that frequently predicts and co-occurs with physical and sexual assault.
Stalking is far more common and dangerous than many realize. In the United States:
- More than 1 in 6 women and 1 in 17 men experience stalking.
- 1 in 5 stalkers use weapons to threaten or harm victims.
- Stalking increases the risk of intimate partner homicide by three times.
Despite its prevalence, many victims, families, service providers, and members of the general public still underestimate the behavior’s urgency and potential for escalation. Survivors often face severe psychological and social impacts, including anxiety, depression, social dysfunction, job disruption, and forced relocation.
Stalking is defined as a pattern of behavior directed at a specific person that causes fear or emotional distress. Behaviors may include:
- Following or monitoring the victim
- Waiting near the victim’s home, school, or workplace
- Leaving unwanted gifts
- Spreading rumors
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Repeated calling, texting, or messaging
Most victims experience a combination of in-person and technology-facilitated stalking. Reports show increases in tech-based harassment, surveillance, and control during the pandemic.
One of the challenges in responding to stalking is that each incident on its own may not appear criminal, but when viewed collectively as a pattern, it constitutes stalking under the law. Stalking is a crime in all 50 states, federal jurisdictions, U.S. territories, tribal lands, the District of Columbia, and the military justice system.
During National Stalking Awareness Month, The Interpersonal Violence Program will offer curriculum to promote community awareness and education about stalking prevention and response.
For more information, please contact:
Kenneth Gooden, Program Director
Phone: 662-621-4666
Email: kgooden@coahomacc.edu