Stalking
Stalking is a crime in all 50 states yet many victims and criminal justice professionals underestimate its seriousness and impact.
Stalking can be difficult to recognize, investigate, and prosecute. Unlike other crimes, stalking is not a single, easily identifiable crime but a series of acts, a course of conduct directed at a specific person that would cause that person fear.
Get more information here: Stalking fact sheet
Please click here for Survivor resources on stalking related issues.
HopeLine (The Verizon Foundation):
www.verizonwireless.com/aboutus/hopeline/index.html
HopeLine phones are refurbished phones that are equipped with 3,000 anytime minutes of airtime and texting capabilities. They come with Verizon Wireless Nationwide Coverage, Call Forwarding, Call Waiting, 3-Way Calling, Caller ID, Basic Voice Mail and texting. HopeLine phones are available to survivors affiliated with participating domestic violence agencies. For more information, visit the website or contact your local domestic violence/sexual assault program.
Please click here for Agency resources on stalking related issues.
For information about National Stalking Awareness Month, please visit the Prevention Section of this website.
Publications and Resources
Accurate and applicable studies on stalkers and their behaviors
A new typology of stalking, RECON (relationship and context-based), is proposed, based upon the prior relationship between the pursuer and the victim, and the context in which the stalking occurs. The RECON Typology of Stalking
Data Protection
Want to find out which companies choose to protect your data? Read here: Who Has Your Back?
US Department Of Justice research on stalking victimization in the United States
Learn more here: National Crime Victimization Survey
Truth in Caller ID Act: Caller ID and Spoofing
The Federal Government made spoofing a federal crime, read here to learn more about it: Caller ID and Spoofing
Websites
Stalking Resource Center
National Center for Victims of Crime Stalking Resource Center
Model Campus Stalking Policy by Stalking Resource Center
This guide was designed for colleges & universities to develop and/or adapt their stalking policies. The Model Campus Stalking Policy provides useful language about defining stalking, lists of stalking behaviors, and safety considerations for victims. It also includes sample policies that administrators can use in their entirety or adapt for schools’ specific needs (SRC)
A Guide for Community Corrections Officers, Responding to Stalking by Stalking Resource Center
Developed by the Stalking Resource Center in partnership with the American Probation and Parole Association, and the U.S. Department of Justice Office on Violence Against Women, this guide describes effective approaches to supervising stalkers, which include focusing on victim safety and insisting on offender accountability and behavior change. It encourages probation and parole officers to screen offenders for stalking behavior, document the incidents of stalking, and actively pursue all violations. (SRC)
How to Start and Facilitate a Support Group for Victims of Stalking Stalking Resource Center
A guide, for victim service providers, volunteers, and other concerned community members on how to initiate and run a stalking support group in their agency or community. The guide includes information about designing a support group for stalking victims, recommendations for group membership, tips for facilitators, a sample curriculum, and much more. (SRC)
Stalking Victimization in the United States Department of Justice
Presents findings on nonfatal stalking victimization in the U.S., based on the largest data collection of such behavior to date. Data were collected in a supplement to the National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS) and sponsored by the Office on Violence Against Women (OVW). Topics covered in the report are stalking and harassment prevalence rates by demographic characteristics, offender characteristics, victim-offender relationship, duration of stalking, cyberstalking, protection measures, and emotional impact. The report also includes data on whether victim sought help from others, involvement of a weapon, injuries, other crimes perpetrated by the stalker, and response by the criminal justice system.
