Am I being stalked?
Stalking is a frightening behavior that disrupts the lives of many women and men, and often predicts escalating violence. This section of the site will help you decide whether or not you are being stalked.
What is Stalking?
Stalking is an abnormal or long-term pattern of threat or harassment that:
(a) is directed repeatedly toward a specific individual
(b) is experienced as unwelcome or intrusive
(c) is reported to trigger fear or concern
Examples of stalking include: following, loitering nearby, maintaining surveillance, and sending unwanted gifts or messages. Stalking may escalate to physical assault, sexual assault, and/or even murder.
How is Stalking Proven?
(a) Intent of stalker: Stalker has the intent or the knowledge that his/her actions will instill fear of death or bodily injury to the victim or a member of the victim's family or household. Threats can be explicit (e.g.-stating that he is going to kill the victim) or implied (e.g.-veiled threats, hurting the family pet). Threats have to be aimed at a specific person; they cannot be general threats. Threats may be conveyed by the stalker or by someone acting on behalf of the stalker.
(b) Conduct of stalker: Conduct has to occur on more than one occasion and be directed towards the victim and/or the victim's family or household members. More than one police report is not required. The acts may include threatening contact by mail or by phone or damaging the victim's property.