Essential Elements of a Campus Stalking Policy
Understanding what activities can be part of stalking behavior will help you to create an appropriate policy to address it.
What Is Stalking?
According to Michelle Garcia, who is the director of the Nation Center for Victims of Crime Stalking Resource Center, there is no one legal definition of this activity. Her organization uses the working definition: “A pattern of behavior directed at a specific person that would cause a reasonable person to feel fear.”
Related Article: Stopping Stalkers
The Stalking Resource Center recommends that a campus policy on stalking list behaviors that include but are not limited to:
- Non-consensual communication, including in-person communication, telephone calls, voice messages, text messages, E-mail messages, social networking site postings, instant messages, postings of pictures or information on Web sites, written letters, gifts or other communications that are undesired and/or place another person in fear
- Following, pursuing, waiting or showing up uninvited at a workplace, place of residence, classroom or other locations frequented by a victim
- Surveillance and other types of observation, whether by physical proximity or electronic means
- Trespassing
- Vandalism
- Non-consensual touching
- Direct physical and/or verbal threats against a victim or a victim’s loved ones
- Gathering of information about a victim from family, friends, co-workers and/or classmates
- Manipulative and controlling behaviors such as threats to harm oneself or threats to harm someone close to the victim
- Defamation or slander against the victim
Related Article: Stalking Stats
Essential Elements of a Campus Stalking Policy
- Purpose statement
- A clear definition of stalking
- A list of stalking behaviors (including the use of technology to stalk)
- A clear explanation of reporting procedures for victims of stalking
- A referral to advocacy or legal services
- Possible safety accommodations and resources for victims
- Discussion of due process
Source: Nation Center for Victims of Crime Stalking Resource Center Model Campus Policy (www.ncvc.org/src)
Related Articles:
- Domestic Violence Is a Preventable Crime
- Your Ultimate Guide to Student and School Internet Safety: Part 1
- Child Sexual Abuse: It’s More Prevalent Than You Think
- The 3 Ds of Sexual Assault Prevention
- Preventing and Responding to Campus Sexual Assaults
If you appreciated this article and want to receive more valuable industry content like this, click here to sign up for our FREE digital newsletters!
About the Author
Robin Hattersley, Editor-in-Chief
Robin has been covering the security and campus law enforcement industries since 1998 and is a specialist in school, university and hospital security, public safety and emergency management, as well as emerging technologies and systems integration. She joined CS in 2005 and has authored award-winning editorial on campus law enforcement and security funding, officer recruitment and retention, access control, IP video, network integration, event management, crime trends, the Clery Act, Title IX compliance, sexual assault, dating abuse, emergency communications, incident management software and more. Robin has been featured on national and local media outlets and was formerly associate editor for the trade publication Security Sales & Integration. She obtained her undergraduate degree in history from California State University, Long Beach.
Related Content
Leading in Turbulent Times: Effective Campus Public Safety Leadership for the 21st Century
This new webcast will discuss how campus public safety leaders can effectively incorporate Clery Act, Title IX, customer service, “helicopter” parents, emergency notification, town-gown relationships, brand management, Greek Life, student recruitment, faculty, and more into their roles and develop the necessary skills to successfully lead their departments. Register today to attend this free webcast!
