Stalking Awareness: What It Is and Why It Matters
Stalking is a serious and often misunderstood crime that can leave victims feeling afraid, unsafe, and constantly on edge. Raising awareness is an important step in prevention and support for those experiencing stalking.
What is stalking?
Stalking is a pattern of unwanted, repeated behaviors that cause fear, distress, or concern for safety. These behaviors may seem small on their own, but over time they can escalate and become dangerous.
Stalking is traumatic, and many people who are being stalked feel as though they are living outside of reality. The constant monitoring, intimidation, and unpredictability can cause confusion, fear, and self-doubt. When survivors talk about what is happening, some of the details may not sound believable at first. This is often by design. Stalkers intentionally use tactics meant to make the victim appear unstable or unbelievable. What may sound extreme or unrealistic to others often has a reasonable explanation when the full pattern of behavior is understood.
Stalking by the numbers:
Nearly 1 in 3 women and 1 in 6 men experience stalking in their lifetime.
In the majority of stalking cases, the victim knows the offender.
Often, the stalker is someone the victim has had an intimate or dating relationship with, such as a current or former partner.
Examples of stalking behaviors include:
Repeated unwanted calls, texts, emails, or messages
Following or showing up at someone’s home, work, or school
Monitoring someone’s location or online activity
Sending unwanted gifts or letters
Using social media to harass, threaten, or spread rumors
Threats toward the victim, their loved ones, or pets
If you are being stalked, here are some important tips:
Trust your instincts. If something feels unsafe, it likely is.
Document everything. Save messages, take screenshots, and keep a log of incidents with dates and times.
Set clear boundaries only if it feels safe to do so. You do not owe continued contact to anyone.
Increase your safety. Vary routines, update privacy settings, and tell trusted friends, family, or coworkers.
Reach out for help. Advocates, local domestic violence or sexual assault agencies, and law enforcement can help you explore safety options and protective orders.
Stalking is about power and control, and no one deserves to live in fear. If you or someone you know is experiencing stalking, support is available—and help can make a difference.
