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Gender Equity Resource Center http://geneq.berkeley.edu 202 Cesar Chavez (510)642-4786
What is Stalking?
Stalking is repeated following and/or harassment of another person with the intent to threaten or place
in fear the person being harassed. Stalking is prolonged criminal behavior that endangers the person
being stalked, their family, their friends, and the community, and also poses the threat of other types of
violence. Behavior requires repetition to qualify under most state statutes as stalking (usually 2 or more
incidents). People can be stalked by strangers, former dating partners, relatives, acquaintances, siblings,
former friends, teachers, etc. People of all genders, sexualities, races, ages, abilities, marital statuses,
etc. can be survivors or perpetrators of stalking.
How Common is Stalking?
Stalking is much more common than many people think. According to the U.S. Department of Justice,
more than 1 million women and almost 400,000 men are stalked each year in the United States. One in
12 women are stalked at some point in their life.
Stalking and Violence:
Stalkers often have a previous relationship with those whom they stalk that may or may not have been
violent. Most violent crimes begin with stalking, which is why it is so necessary to identify and report
stalking as soon as possible: it may save your life. Stalking is also used by many as a way to control
people and terrorize them.
How do I Know If I Am Being Stalked?
• Persistent phone calls, despite the stalker having been told not to contact you
• Waiting at or following you to your workplace, school, or other places you frequent
• Explicit or implied threats (ie: “I’ll kill/hurt you or your family/friends,” dead animals left at your
home, etc.)
• Manipulative behavior (ie: threatening to commit suicide in order to get contact with you)
• Sending persistent written messages after being told not to contact you (ie: letters, emails, chat
messages, graffiti, etc.)
• Sending gifts from the seemingly “romantic” (ie: flowers, candy) to the bizarre (ie: bloody items,
etc.)
• Defamation: the stalker often lies to others about the person they are stalking
• Watching you from a distance, “accidentally” running into you repeatedly, driving by your home/
office/school/etc.
• Contacting, following, or threatening you or your family/friends/acquaintances/children
What can you do if you are being stalked?
• Take it seriously and know that it is not your fault. No one has the right to stalk you for any
reason, even if you were married to them, they are a relative, they “love” you, etc.
• Know that stalking is not “romantic” or “lovesick” behavior—it is not an expression of affection.
It is an act of violence and intimidation, and is always illegal.
Bias Incidents/Hate Acts Education • Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Programs & Services
Sexual Harassment/Assault Advocacy, Response & Education • Women’s Programs & Services
• Tell the stalker once and only once to never contact you again. After this, don’t contact the
stalker again.
• Save all evidence of the stalking—keep all “gifts” or letters, save answering machine messages,
try to take pictures of the stalker following you and date the photos.
• Keep a log of all stalking behavior with dates, places, times, who was present, what the behavior
was, etc. This log will be very important when reporting to the police.
• Report the behavior to the police- show them your log.
• Ask for a restraining order against your stalker. This is an important legal step, but don’t put
too much trust in this piece of paper. Continue to follow all other safety precautions.
• Don’t go places alone—bring other people with you or call the Night Escort Service and warn
them about the person stalking you.
• Make sure you have deadbolts on your doors, and lock all doors and windows when inside your
home or car.
• If you suspect you are being followed in your car, don’t go home—drive to the nearest police
or fire station.
• Tell all friends, family members, and co-workers not to release information about you to
anyone (ie: phone numbers, addresses, social security number, etc.). Ask them to inform you of
suspicious behavior.
• Always carry your keys ready when walking to or from your car/home (they can be used as a
weapon if necessary).
• Carry some type of personal safety device with you at all times (ie: pepper spray, flashlight,
kubaton, etc.).
• Never open the door to anyone whose I.D. you have not seen (including repair people, police,
etc.).
Resources:
UC Berkeley Police Department Gender Equity Resource Center (Sexual
(510) 642-6760 (Threat Management Unit) Harassment/Assault Resource Specialist)
1 Sproul Plaza (510) 643-5727
Berkeley, CA 94720 202 Cesar Chavez
Social Services (UHS) California Legal Information
Counseling for traumatic situations www.leginfo.ca.gov
at the Tang Center for students.
(510) 642-6074 Impact Bay Area (self defense)
www.impactbayarea.org
CARE Services
Counseling services for staff and Women Defending Ourselves
faculty. Women-run self defense school
(510) 643-7754 www.wdo.org
Campus Night Escort Service
Uniformed escort will walk you
where you need to go - USE THEM!!!
(510) 642-WALK (9255)
Last updated 10/05