Stalking

Stalking is a serious, but often overlooked problem among college students. The “Sexual Victimization of College Women” study (2000), found that more than 13% of female college students had been stalked during a single 6 – 9 month period of time. Stalking of college women is significantly more common than stalking of same-aged women in the general population.

Stalking - It's a crime
Stalking Incident and Behavior Log
What to do if you are being stalked
Links
Self-help Resources

The term "stalking" is commonly used to describe a range of behavior such as repeated phone calls, text messages, and emails, following or tracking you, sending unwanted gifts and damaging your property. Stalking causes extreme fear for victims. If someone is stalking you, there are many resources available.

Stalking laws vary by state. The following information provides practical information and resources for anyone experiencing these types of behavior. However, it is also important to familiarize yourself specifically with Iowa’s stalking law, which defines stalking as behavior which causes the victim to fear bodily injury or death of him/herself or of an immediate family member.

If someone’s behavior is frightening you but does not meet Iowa’s definition of stalking, it may constitute harassment. Harassment violates state law and University policy .

Stalking Incident and Behavior Log

It is crucial that stalking victims maintain a log of what has happened to them. Recording this detailed information will help to justify the need for an Order of Protection and can help with criminal prosecution in getting custody of children assigned to the victim, when the stalker is also seeking custody. If the case leads to a trial, these logs will help you recall specific details about incidents that may have happened some time ago.

The stalking log should be used to document all stalking-related behavior, including harassing phone calls, e-mails, letters, property destruction, and threats, including those communicated through a third party.

When reporting the incidents to law enforcement, always write down the officer's name and badge number for your own records.
Even if the officers do not make an arrest, you can ask them to make a written report and request a copy for your records. Since this information could potentially be introduced as evidence or inadvertently shared with the stalker at a future time, do not include any information that you do not want the offender to see.
Attach a photograph of the stalker, photocopies of Protection Orders, police reports, and other relevant documents. Keep the log in a safe place and tell someone you trust where you keep the log.
Documenting stalking behavior can be a difficult and emotionally exhausting task. An advocate can provide support, information about the options available to you, and assistance with safety planning.
Download the Incident and Behavior Log
http://www.ncvc.org/src/AGP.Net/Components/DocumentViewer/Download.aspxnz?DocumentID=39028
This information is provided by the National Center for Victim’s of Crime Stalking Resource Center, 202-467-8700, http://www.ncvc.org/src

What steps should you take if you are being stalked?

1. Call the Police or Sheriff

This is the first thing to do when stalking incidents occur. Explain exactly what happened and what threats were made against you.

2. Take Extra Precautions

Your first defense against stalking is to have a heightened awareness of what is happening around you. You may want to tell others about the threat, including neighbors, family, co-workers. Ask them to keep an eye out for strange occurrences. Consistently lock your home (preferably with dead-bolt locks) and lock your car while you are driving and when you park. Check to see that no one has hidden in your car before you get in it. Park in well-lit, secure areas. Avoid walking alone in dark areas at night, or in isolated areas at any time of the day. Phone University Police to obtain free escorts to and from campus locations.

3. Keep a Log

It is crucial that stalking victims maintain a log of what has happened to them. Recording this detailed information will help to justify the need for a restraining order, and if the case leads to a trial, these logs will help you recall specific details about incidents that may have happened some time ago.

This log should be used to document all stalking behavior, including phone calls, e-mails, letters, property destruction, and threats, including those communicated through someone else.
When reporting the incidents to law enforcement, always write down the officer's name and badge number for your own records. Even if the officers do not make an arrest, you can ask them to make a written report and request a copy for your records.
Since this information could potentially be introduced as evidence or inadvertently shared with the stalker at a future time, do not include any information that you do not want him/her to see.
Attach a photograph of the stalker, photocopies of restraining orders, police reports, and other relevant documents. Keep the log in a safe place and tell someone you trust where you keep the log.

4. Develop a Safety Plan

Prepare and maintain a safety plan.

Links

Stalking Resource Center
http://www.ncvc.org/src/Main.aspx
The Stalking Resource Center is a program of the National Center for Victims of Crime. Launched in July 2000, their dual mission is to raise national awareness of stalking and to encourage the development and implementation of multidisciplinary responses to stalking in local communities across the country.

Self-Help Resources

The Wellness Resource Lab, located on the 1st floor of the Wellness Recreation Center in Room 104, includes a resource library with many books, videos, cassettes, pamphlets and newsletters on a variety of health and wellness topics. There is also a special section for Violence Intervention Resources .

Checking out materials is free and you may keep these materials for two weeks.

If you have concerns about accessing materials from the Wellness Lab in person, please contact Violence Intervention Services staff member Mark Rowe to make confidential material check-out arrangements.