Resources
Being in, or knowing someone in a domestic abuse situation can be scary. Knowing what to do can seem and feel impossible. One of the many goals of this page is to offer resources to people & their families to help in situations like this.
Resources
Stalking Awareness
What is stalking?
Legal definitions vary from one jurisdiction to another. Still, stalking is generally defined as a pattern of behavior directed at a specific person that would cause a reasonable person to feel fear. A crime in all 50 states and at the federal level, stalking is dangerous and potentially lethal.
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Who are victims of stalking?
In 2019, about 1.3% of Americans ages 16 and older (3.4 million people) were victims of stalking, according to a report from the Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS). The most frequently reported traditional stalking behaviors included the offender following and watching the victim. Stalking with technology most commonly included unwanted phone calls, voice or text messages, and emails and Internet messages.
The percentage of people who experienced stalking declined from 2016 (1.5%) to 2019 (1.3%). However, women continue to be victims of stalking more than twice as often as men. Overall, the data show most stalking victims know their stalkers.
Among adults, 18- to 24-year-olds experience the highest rates of stalking, placing students on college and university campuses at high risk of becoming a victim. Research shows that most college students are stalked by someone they know, usually a fellow student. Colleges and universities that understand the dynamics of stalking and the negative impacts associated with it can support victims and hold stalkers accountable through campus programs and thorough investigations.
In 2019, only 29% of stalking victims reported their victimization to police. Stalking victims who chose not to report the crime to police most often said they didn’t feel it was important enough to do so.
Source: The Stalking Prevention, Awareness, & Resource Center
What help is there for victims of stalking?
If you believe you’re a victim of stalking, the Stalking Prevention, Awareness, and Resource Center provides guidance and resources in the What to Do if You Are Being Stalked section of their website.
Supported by the National Institute of Justice (NIJ), the Violence Against Women Research Consortium published a series of training videos and resources that cover stalking laws and best practices for law enforcement and prosecutors in stalking investigations.
January is recognized as National Stalking Awareness Month – an annual call to action to recognize and respond to the crime of stalking.
Date Modified: January 11, 2024
Date Created: August 14, 2020
National Domestic Violence Hotline number
(1-800-799-7233)
text start to 88788
Answers 24/7. Languages: English, Spanish and 200 + through interpretation service.
Safe At Home Program most states have it. Go to your official state page and type is Safe at home.
The Safe at Home address confidentiality program helps protect victims of domestic violence, rape, sexual assault, human trafficking, stalking, or other crimes who fear for their safety, as well as the safety of individuals residing in the same household as the victim, by authorizing the use of a designated address for such victims, their minor children, and individuals residing with them. In addition, the program allows participants to use the designated address on new records created by government agencies and the courts. Examples of new records include:
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Driver’s license, non-driver’s license and vehicle registration
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Voter registration
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Public school records
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Social services records for food stamps, cash assistance, child support, WIC, etc.
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Public library cards
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City or county records
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Law enforcement and court records
Government agencies and the courts must accept the substitute address of a participant in place of a home, work, school or mailing address. Participants may have their first-class mail, legal mail and certified mail sent to the substitute address, and then the secretary of state's office will forward the mail to the participant’s confidential mailing address at no cost to the participant.
Safe at Home may be right for:
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Survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, human trafficking, rape or other crimes.
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Victims of crime who have recently relocated or are planning to relocate because they fear future harm.
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Individuals who understand that Safe at Home is one piece of a comprehensive safety plan.
The National Organization for Victim Assistance (NOVA)
is a private, nonprofit organization of victim and witness assistance practitioners, criminal justice professionals, researchers, former victims, and others, committed to recognizing victims’ rights in four areas: national and local legislative advocacy, direct victim assistance, member support, and professional development. NOVA coordinates the National Crisis Response Team and the National Crime Victim Information and Referral Hotline.
http://www.try-nova.org/
If you feel your life may be in danger, call 911. If you or someone you know may be in a violent or controlling relationship, or if you have questions about getting help, please call our 24-Hour Help Line at (608) 251-4445 You can also text our new, 24-Hour Text Line at (608) 420-4638.
Interpreter services are available.
abuseintervention.org
NNEDV Womenslaw Email Hotline provides basic legal infromation, referrals and emotional support related to domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking.
http://www.womenslaw.org/
Strong Hearts Native Helpline is a free, safe, anonymous, and confidential domestic violence and dating violence helpline for Native Americans and Alaska Natives, offering culturally-appropriate support and advocacy. Call 1-844-7NATIVE (762-8483) or chat online at StrongHeartsHelpline.org.
https://strongheartshelpline.org/
Ending Violence Association of Canada
The Ending Violence Association of Canada (EVA Canada) is a national organization that works to amplify the collective voice of those who believe it is possible to end gender-based violence. Through research, education, policy, and advocacy, we work collaboratively with gender-based violence organizations from coast to coast to coast to identify and implement the institutional and systemic changes necessary to address the root causes of gender-based violence.
About Us - Ending Violence Association of Canada (endingviolencecanada.org)
