Stalking is a series of behaviors and actions toward a person that makes him/her feel afraid or in danger. Stalking is a serious action that may escalate over time and become violent.

• Following or spying on a person, including waiting outside one's home, school, or work.
• Attempting unwanted communication, including phone calls, text/picture messages, emails, and social networking sites.
• Monitoring phone or Internet use.
• Leaving unwanted items for one to find.
• Damaging property or items one cares for.
• Using technology as a means of tracking, such as hidden cameras or global positioning systems (GPS).
• Threatening someone and/or his or her family, friends, or pets.
• Using public records or other means of investigation to locate personal information.
• Any other actions that control, track, or frighten the person.

• Nearly 1 in 3 women and 1 in 6 men in the United States have experienced being stalked in their lifetime.
• 25% of college students report having been stalked at some point during their college career.
• People between the ages of 18-24 experience the highest rate of stalking among adults.
• Individuals from all races, ethnicities and socioeconomic backgrounds are affected by stalking.
• 13.5 million people are stalked each year in the United States.

• You may feel fearful, vulnerable, anxious, irritable, sad, hopeless, overwhelmed, confused, frustrated, isolated, and angry.
• You may experience flashbacks or have disturbing thoughts or memories of the incident(s).
• You may have trouble sleeping, focusing, or remembering.
• You may have problems with eating including loss of appetite, forgetting to eat, or overeating.
• You may experience disruptions in social and/or other networks.

• There is no stereotypical stalker or stalking situation; however, stalkers are more likely to be former intimate partners of their victims than any other form of relationship.
• Men stalk women; men stalk men; women stalk men; and women stalk women.
• A stalker can be from any socioeconomic background, race, ethnicity, religion, or sexual orientation.

• Using technology is one of the most common methods stalkers use to locate private/personal information of their victim, and to contact their victim.
• Not only do stalkers who use technology have access to more information, it is easier to conceal their identity and use methods of deceit.

• Virginia law defines stalking as a crime.
• If a perpetrator of stalking is found guilty, a protective order will be made by the court in addition to the perpetrator's sentence.

• You may report the incident(s) to the Office of Public Safety or to the Harrisonburg City Police.
• If you believe you are being stalked by another university student, you may contact OSARP.
• You may also receive support services from the Counseling Center or the Office of Residence Life.
• Refrain from responding directly to any attempts of communication from the stalker. Communication or any attention at all only encourages the stalker.
• Take all threats seriously.
• Trust your instincts.
• Keep all phone logs, emails, letters, and pictures of any damages to property, – it is all evidence.
• Create a safety plan for yourself and consider a court protective order.
• Use long, complicated passwords for Internet web sites, e-mails, online banking, and other portals that may contain personal information.
• Choose security questions and answers that only you would know.
• Use extreme caution when exchanging information via the Internet.

Alexy, E. M., Burgess, A. W., Baker, T., & Smoyak, S. A. (2005). Perceptions of cyberstalking among college students. Brief Treatment and Crisis Intervention, 5(3). 279-289.

Amar, A. F., & Alexy, E. A. (2010). Coping with stalking. Issues in Mental Health Nursing, 13. 8-14.

Phillips, L., Quirk, R., Rosenfeld, B., & O'Connor, M. (2004). Is it stalking? Perceptions of stalking among undergraduates. Criminal Justice and Behavior, 31(1). 73-96.
Stalking Resource Center. (2010). Are you being stalked? The National Center for Victims of Crime.

Smith, S.G., Basile, K.C., & Kresnow, M. (2022). The National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey (NISVS): 2016/2017 Report on Stalking. Atlanta, GA: National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease control and Prevention.

Stalking Resource Center. (2010). Virginia: Civil stalking law. The National Center for Victims of Crime.

Stalking Resource Center. (2010). Virginia: January-March 2010. The National Center for Victims of Crime.

Truman, J. L., & Mustaine, E. E. (2009). Strategies for college student stalking victims: Examining the information and recommendations available. American Journal of Criminal Justice, 34. 69-34.