January is National Stalking Awareness Month

It’s National Stalking Awareness Month!

Stalking is defined as a pattern of repeated and unwanted attention, harassment, contact or any other course of contact directed at a specific person that would cause a reasonable person to fear.  Stalking is one of the most common forms of harassment and, much like sexual assault and domestic violence, it is widely prevalent and largely under-reported.

Did you know? (via the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence):

• 1 in 6 women & 1 in 17 men have experienced stalking victimization in their lifetime.
• Almost 3 out of 4 victims of stalking know their stalkers in some capacity. The most common relationship between the victim and perpetrator is a current or former intimate partner
• Stalking is often an indicator of other forms of violence. 81% of women who were stalked by a current or former husband or cohabitating partner were also physically assaulted by that partner
• Abusers use stalking to intimidate and control their victims
• 76% of women murdered by an intimate partner were stalked first; 85% of women who survived murder attempts were stalked

How you can help (via the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence)

• Encourage your legislators to tighten stalking statutes so that stalking is both easier to prosecute and classified as a more serious crime
• Ask your congressmen to support legislation providing additional funding for local program initiatives that provide counseling and other services to victims of stalking and domestic violence, such as programs established by the Violence Against Women Act
• Support programs in your community aimed at increasing domestic violence, sexual violence, and stalking education, prevention, and intervention

Safehome is here for you.

We offer assistance in navigating and understanding the criminal legal process, guidance and support in obtaining protection orders, safety planning, and more. 24-HR Hotline (913) 262-2868.