Stalking is a crime which affects 6.6 million victims per year. We can fight this dangerous crime by learning more about it, explains April Slone, Outreach Advocate with the Beaman Home Emergency Shelter and Outreach Center for victims of domestic violence.Stalking is a crime in all 50 states, the U.S. Territories and the District of Columbia; yet many victims and criminal justice professionals underestimate its seriousness and impact. Statistically, in one of five cases stalkers use weapons to harm or threaten victims (Stalking Victimization in the United States by Katrina Baum), and stalking is one of the significant risk factors for femicide (homicide of women) in abusive relationships (Risk Factors for Femicide in Abusive Relationships: Results from a Multi-Site Case Control Study by Jacquelyn Campbell).

Victims suffer anxiety, social dysfunction and severe depression at much higher rates than the general population. Many lose time from work or have to move as a result of their victimization.

Stalking is 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. Stalking may take many forms, such as assaults, threats, vandalism, burglary or animal abuse, as well as unwanted cards, calls, gifts or visits. One in four victims reports their stalker uses technology such as computers, global positioning system devices or hidden cameras to track the victim’s daily activities. And stalkers fit no standard psychological profile. Many stalkers follow their victims from one jurisdiction to another making it difficult for authorities to investigate and prosecute their crimes.

“Our community needs to understand stalking,” commented Slone, “so we can support victims and combat the crime. If more people learn to recognize stalking, we have a better chance to prevent tragedies. It’s important to remember that the individual being stalked is not to blame for a stalker’s behavior.”

A stalker can be someone you know well or not at all. Most have dated, or been involved with, the individuals they stalk. Most cases involve men stalking women, but men do stalk men, women do stalk women and women also stalk men.

Some things stalkers do:

• Repeatedly call you, including hang-ups.
• Send unwanted gifts, letters, texts or e-mails.
• Damage your home, car or other property.
• Use technology, like hidden cameras or global positioning systems (GPS) to track where you go.
• Drive by or hang out at your home, school or work.
• Threaten to hurt you, your family, friends or pets.
• Find out about you using public records on on-line search services, hiring investigators, going through your garbage or contacting friends, family, neighbors or co-workers.
• Other actions that control, track or frighten you.

What you can do:

• Call 911 if in immediate danger.
• Trust your instincts: Don’t downplay the danger; if you feel unsafe, you probably are.
• Take threats seriously. Danger is higher when the stalker talks about suicide or murder, or when a victim tries to leave or end a relationship.
• Contact Beaman Home’s 24-hour crisis hotline (877-725-9363) or Warsaw Police Department’s
• Victim Services (574-372-9531). They can help you devise a safety plan, give information about local laws, refer you to other services and weigh options such as seeking protection orders.
• Develop a safety plan like changing your routine, arranging a place to stay or having a friend or relative go places with you. Let other people know how they can help you.
• Do NOT communicate with the stalker or respond to attempts to contact you.
• Keep evidence of stalking (place, time date & keep any messages, letters or notes). Photograph any stalker damage or injuries. Ask witnesses to write down what they saw.
• Contact the police to determine if the stalker has broken any state law.
• Get a court order telling the stalker to stay away from you.
• Tell family, friends, roommates and co-workers about the situation and seek their support. Inform security staff at your job or school and ask them to help watch out for your safety.While not the primary mission, Beaman Home can help victims of stalking. Call the 24/7 toll-free Crisis Hotline at 877-725-9363. The Beaman Home has been serving local victims of domestic violence for nearly 30 years.