Definition
Stalking is a pattern of repeated and unwanted attention, harassment, contact, or any other course of conduct directed at a specific person that would cause a reasonable person to feel fear.
Stalking is a crime throughout the United States.
Types of Stalking
An individual, their family or friends.
Repeated phone calls, emails, text messages, and unwanted gifts.
Waiting for someone to arrive at certain locations, following someone, or watching someone from a distance.
Persistently sending unwanted communication through the internet, such as spamming someone’s email inbox or social media platform. Posting threatening or personal information about someone on public internet forums. Installing video cameras that give the stalker access to someone’s personal life. Using GPS or other software tracking systems to monitor someone without their knowledge or consent. Using someone’s computer and/or spyware to track their computer activity.
Indicators
Fear, anxious, nervous, isolated, become stressed, depression.
Reporting
If you or someone you know are in immediate danger, call 911 – they will dispatch assistance to you.
If you are a victim of stalking and need emergency assistance, call our 24-hour crisis line at 815-235-1641.
More information is available under Services for You.