January 2025 is National Stalking Awareness Month.
It is time to bring awareness to the stalking victims in Archuleta County who are affected by the chilling realities of domestic violence.
Stalking is a serious issue that often goes hand in hand with intimate partner violence, impacting victims’ lives, mental health and safety.
Stalking is defined as a pattern of behavior directed at a specific person that would cause a reasonable person to feel fear or emotional distress.
Most stalkers target people they know, and the majority of stalkers are intimate partners or acquaintances who know about the victim’s vulnerabilities and fears.
Individual incidents in the pattern may or may not be criminal acts. Some common stalking tactics include unwanted calls/texts/emails/messages, showing up uninvited, spreading rumors, and following and watching or waiting for the victim. Even leaving gifts can be a tactic.
According to the National Intimate Partner and sexual violence survey (NISVS):
• Approximately 76 percent of women and 85 percent of men stalked were stalked by someone they knew.
• One in six women and one in 17 men have experienced stalking victimization at some point in their life.
These statistics reveal that stalking is not just a random occurrence. It is often a manifestation of possessiveness and control in abusive relationships.
Survivors often suffer anxiety, social dysfunction and severe depression as a result of their victimization, and many lose time from work and/or have to relocate. Stalking can impact every aspect of a survivor’s life.
The majority of victims tell friends or family about their situation first, and how we respond influences if they seek further help. We all have a role to play in identifying stalking, intervening when necessary, and supporting victims and survivors.
What can you do if you are being stalked? If you find yourself being stalked, it’s essential to take action. Here’s a step-by-step approach:
1. Trust your instinct: If you are feeling unsafe or uncomfortable, trust your feelings. Your safety is a priority.
2. Limit contact: Do not engage with the stalker. Responding could potentially escalate the situation.
3. Inform authorities: Report any stalking incidents to the police. Remember to keep documentation.
4. Seek support: Reach out to friends and family members. Rise Above Violence will help you safety plan. It is available 24/7 with a hotline that will connect you with a trained advocate.
Together, we must raise awareness, provide support and foster environments where victims feel safe and valued. If you or someone you know is being stalked, remember you are not alone, and help is available. Reach out, document your experiences and create a safety plan to protect yourself.
Follow Rise Above Violence this month on social media for weekly awareness on stalking.
