Stalking Awareness and Support

What is stalking?

A pattern of behavior directed at a specific person that would cause a reasonable person to fear for the person’s safety or the safety of others or suffer substantial emotional distress.

Surveillance: watching, following, gathering information
Intimidation: threatening and/or scaring the victim
Interference: sabotaging, attacking or otherwise changing the victime's life
Life invasion: showing up in the victim's life

Stalking statistics

Adapted from SPARC.

Less than 40% of stalking victims report to law enforcement
Women are more likely to experience stalking than men
The majority of victims report that the offender is male — regardless of victim’s sexual orientation
Nearly 1 in 3 women and 1 in 6 men experience stalking in their lifetimes
Laws against stalking can vary by state

Can stalking be traumatic for someone?

Yes. “Psychological trauma is the unique individual experience of an event, a series of events or a set of enduring conditions in which: the individual’s ability to integrate his or her emotional experience is overwhelmed or the individual experiences (subjectively) a threat to life, bodily integrity or sanity.” — Karen Saakvitne, 2000

Psychological effects on stalking victims

Denial, confusion, self-doubt, questioning oneself (“Am I being unreasonable or over-reacting?”)
Frustration, guilt, embarrassment, self-blame
Apprehension, fear of being alone or fear of others being harmed
Feeling isolated and/or helpless to stop the stalking or harassment
Depression and related symptoms
Anxiety, panic attacks, agoraphobia (frightened to leave dorm/apartment),
difficulty concentrating, focusing in classes or studying
Sleep disruption — nightmares, ruminating
Insecurity and inability to trust others; difficulty with intimacy and socializing
Symptoms of post-traumatic/acute stress disorder, e.g. hypervigilance, flashbacks, easily startled
Irritability, anger, emotional numbing
Self-medication with alcohol/drugs or using prescribed medications
Suicidal thoughts and/or suicide attempts
Loss of purpose and connection from effects on academics, social life
Loss of job, victim having to move or change identity
Loss of social support due to third-party harassment or victimization
Avoidance of self-care activities, e.g. going to the gym, going out with friends, running errands
Loss of identity from lack of normal activities

What to do if you or someone you know is being stalked

Find professional support:
- On campus: VARCC, University Counseling Center (UCC), Dean of Students CARE team, University Police (UPD)
- Off campus: Crime Victims Assistance Center (advocacy, resources and support services) RISE (domestic violence shelter)
Use social support:
- Talk to a friend or family member about what you are experiencing.
Document — safely — what is happening to you for your own records.
- You can find a document log on the
Take safety measures/engage in safety planning with an advocate.
- E.g. walking with a friend, carrying pepper spray, taking defense classes, sharing location with a friend
Treat yourself with self-compassion and understanding.
- Your experience is real and your feelings are valid!