Stalking Awareness Day of Action

 

Courtesy Image from SPARC
  

Every year in January is National Stalking Awareness Month. However, this year on January 18^th, you can take a pledge and take part in Stalking Awareness Day of Action. Use this day to participate in webinars or college campus events to pass out posters, and flyers, and attend workshops. This year’s theme is “Know it, Name it, Stop it.” No one should be stalked on college campuses or other public places.

Stalking makes you feel intimidation, fear, anger, frustration, and nervousness. It is recommended to report stalking and harassment to authorities. Have a conversation with a friend you can trust if you are being harassed and stalked. Also, make a safety plan with your family and friends. Learn more about stalking through the Stalking Awareness Organization (SPARC).

Stalking is a crime and must be stopped. Survivors who survive from being stalked experience anxiety, insomnia, PTSD, high blood pressure, and digestive issues. Also, survivors of being stalked have a tough time trusting because of the experiences. Furthermore, being harassed and intimidated causes emotional and physical stress due to the stalker’s behavior. It is a painful experience especially if it is someone that you are intimate with, married, or having a long-term relationship with that person.

Going through a divorce can also make someone want to stalk their partner due to possessiveness, jealousy, and manipulation. Some cases of stalking have occurred in domestic violence situations. Therefore, be alert and know your surroundings. Make sure you are in a well-lit area and install a security system in your home. Have exterior and interior surveillance in your home, garage, and other areas of your home.

One out of three stalkers is physically violent. Additionally, technology has made it easier for a stalker to harass and intimidate their partner. A stalker might want to do live video chats to know where their partner is always. Furthermore, a stalker might have all the home addresses and personal information of friends and family who are frequently contacted. The worst part about being stalked is the constant fear of being observed twenty-four hours a day.

It is recommended to keep evidence of being stalked especially if you have video surveillance, text messages, voice messages, and screenshots of messages. Screenshots of messages are beneficial especially if the stalker sets up their messages to disappear at a certain time. Moreover, document the time, day, and date that the incident occurred. The more information you have can help authorities. Provide as many details as possible you can to authorities.

As well as keeping records of telephone calls, especially the person who calls and hangs up. Constant telephone calls and constant hanging up are what stalkers do to provoke fear. It is suggested not to delete your telephone number history especially if the stalker uses different aliases under different telephone numbers. Be careful with the information that you post on social media. Do not be alone too much.

Listen to your friend who is being stalked. Do not tell them that they are overreacting. Instead, you might want to persuade them or suggest to them to report the stalking. Stalking is a serious matter that must not be laughed about, criticized, or made jokes about. Furthermore, tell them to protect themselves on social media, and their telephone, and tell them to get a restraining order.

Change your daily routine. As well as getting the necessary resources. Wear yellow to bring awareness of stalking prevention. Participate in Stalking Awareness Day of Action by hanging a yellow light bulb on your porch, and sharing awareness information, and awareness videos. Here are websites for stalking awareness. 

How to Deal with Stalkers-What to Do and How to Stay Safe-Very Well Mind:

How to Deal With Stalkers: What to Do and How to Stay Safe (verywellmind.com)

Signs of Stalking Behavior and What to Do About it-Medical News Today:

Signs of stalking behavior and what to do about it (medicalnewstoday.com)

The Stalking Prevention, Awareness, and Resource Center-SPARC-Stalking Awareness Organization:

The Stalking Prevention, Awareness, and Resource Center | SPARC (stalkingawareness.org)

* Courtesy Image from SPARC:

The Stalking Prevention, Awareness, and Resource Center | SPARC (stalkingawareness.org)