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
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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)
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