Stalking generally refers to harassing or threatening behavior that an individual engages in repeatedly, such as following a person, appearing at a person’s home or place of business, making harassing phone calls, leaving written messages or objects, or vandalizing a person’s property (Stalking in America: Findings From the National Violence Against Women Survey, National Institute of Justice).
According to results from the 2010 National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey, 1 in 6 women (16.2 percent) and 1 in 19 men (5.2 percent) in the United States have experienced stalking victimization at some point during their lifetime in which they felt very fearful or believed that they or someone close to them would be harmed or killed (National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey: 2010 Summary Report, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention).
Stalking between intimate partners is widespread and often associated with lethal abuse. Despite the enactment of anti-stalking laws in every state, relatively few stalkers are cited or arrested by law enforcement, and even fewer are prosecuted (A Statewide Study of Stalking and Its Criminal Justice Response, final report of a study sponsored by the National Institute of Justice).
In recognition of January being National Stalking Awareness Month, NCJRS invites you to view its Stalking Awareness Special Feature, an online compilation of stalking-related publications and resources.
Source: NCJRS website (Special Feature page)
Posted by Tom R.
