Stalking

Stalking a pattern of behavior that causes someone to feel nervous, afraid, harassed, or unsafe. The perpetrator of stalking repeatedly demonstrates these behaviors despite the target individual’s desire for them to stop.

Stalking behaviors can include:

Knowing your schedule

Showing up at places you go

Following you from place to place

Sending mail, e-mail, and/or pictures

Calling or texting repeatedly

Contacting you or posting about you on social media (Facebook, Twitter, etc)

Writing letters

Damaging your property

Creating a website about you

Physical or sexual assaulting you

Hacking your email or social media accounts

Hacking and/or tracking your phone

Sending gifts

Stealing things that belong to you

Any other actions to contact, harass, track, threaten, or frighten you

Stalking is a serious offense. An Order of Protection can be filed against someone exhibiting this behavior and criminal charges can be pressed. If you are being stalked by someone, consider keeping a stalking incident log to help in case you end up needing to file charges or an Order of Protection to keep yourself safe.