What is Stalking?

Stalking is a pattern of repeated, unwanted attention, harassment and contact.  It is a pattern of conduct that can include:

• Following the victim
• Appearing at the victim's home, place of employment, classroom, motor vehicle, etc.
• Making unwanted and frightening contact with the victim through phone, text messaging, mail and/or email
• Harassing the victim through the Internet or posting messages on web pages or listservs
• Making threats to harm the victim, the victim's children, relatives, friends, or pets
• Intimidating the victim
• Vandalizing the victim's personal property
• Securing personal information about the victim by accessing public records, hiring private investigators, using Internet search services, contacting friends, family, work or neighbors or going through the victim's garbage

Stalking is a Crime

Menacing by stalking is the act of a person who knowingly engages in a pattern of conduct that causes you to believe that the offender (stalker) will cause you physical harm or mental distress.

• Pattern of conduct means two or more actions or incidents occur in a short period of time
• Mental distress means any mental illness or condition that would normally require counseling

If a person follows, exhibits undesired affection/attention, pursues or harasses you to the point where you feel uncomfortable while on campus, please contact Campus Security from any campus phone by dialing extension 4444 or 4053 or by dialing 366.4053 or 366.4444 from your cellular phone.

Planning for Your Safety While on Campus

• Be aware of your surroundings at all times!
• Never contact your stalker or try to reason with this person.
• Document all stalking incidents or actions in a journal (notes, letters, voicemails, text messages, etc.).
• Always walk with a friend or call Campus Security (366.4444/366.4053 cellular phone or 4444/4053 from a campus phone) to walk you to your destination if you feel unsafe.  Place Campus Security contact number on speed dial if you cannot remember it.
• Vary your daily on-campus routine; use a different parking lot and route of travel each day.
• Never give out personal information to anyone who does not have a need for it.
• Protect yourself; consider purchasing mace or taking a personal self-defense course.
• If problems persist off-campus, contact your local law enforcement agency.