24-Hour Helpline
(920) 729-5727
Christine Ann Domestic Abuse Services
P.O. Box 99
Neenah, WI 54957-0099
Phone: (920) 235-5998
Fax: (920) 729-0690
National Stalking Awareness Month: Stalking is a Crime
For Immediate Release
Menasha, WI - January 28, 2008 -- "He followed me everywhere; he was at home when I was at home, at work when I was at work, at the store when I was at the store. He even left notes on my car..." former Christine Ann Domestic Abuse Services Client.
January marks the fifth annual observance of National Stalking Awareness Month (NSAM), started in 2004 by the National Center for Victims of Crime. Since its inception, NSAM has become a unifying force for victim service providers across the country to raise awareness about the serious and deadly crime that victimizes more than one million women and nearly 400,000 men in America each year. In fact, a National Violence Against Women Survey shows that 1 in 12 women and 1 in 45 men will be stalked in their lifetime.
According to the Stalking Resource Center and the State Bar of Wisconsin, Wisconsin law defines stalking as "a course of conduct that includes a series of two or more acts carried out over time (no matter how short or long) that show a continuity of purpose." The acts include:
- Maintaining a visual or physical closeness to the victim;
- Approaching or confronting the victim;
- Appearing at the victim's workplace or contacting the victim's employer or coworkers;
- Appearing at the victim's home or contacting the victim's neighbors;
- Entering property that the victim owns, leases, or occupies;
- Contacting the victim by telephone or repeatedly ringing the victim's telephone or any other person's telephone, even if a conversation does not occur;
- Photographing, videotaping, audiotaping, or, through any other electronic means, monitoring or recording the victim's activities;
- Sending material to the victim, or to the victim's family, household, employer, coworker, or friend if the purpose is to get or give information about the victim or to contact the victim;
- Placing or delivering an object on property that the victim owns, leases, or occupies;
- Delivering an object to the victim's family, household, employer, coworker, or friend or placing or delivering an object on property owned, leased, or occupied by these people if the purpose is that the object be delivered to the victim;
- Causing a person to engage in any of the acts described above
Additionally, today's technology has made stalking much easier, as stalkers can design websites to encourage others to monitor or harm their victim, install spyware on their victim's computer or plant global positioning systems (GPS) in their victim's car to track their victim's travels. Other technologies, including social networking websites, such as Facebook and MySpace, cell phones with surveillance devices meant for parents monitoring their children, and running shoes implanted with GPS devices, may provide additional opportunities for stalkers to harm their victims. While all fifty states have laws against stalking, only one-third of states have included language relating to stalking via electronic means.
Locally, over the past several years, Christine Ann Domestic Abuse Services has seen a trend in more women coming forward that have been stalked prior to the serious domestic violence incident. In fact, many women enter shelter for safety from stalkers. The agency has also seen stalking becoming part of the aftermath of a violent relationship. Once the relationship has ended, the perpetrator will often use stalking tactics to maintain power and control over the victim and to instill fear. To address this issue, Christine Ann assists victims by providing tools necessary to help them gain a sense of control over the situation, protect themselves and to record incidents that will aid in the prosecution of the perpetrator. Those cases which have been prosecuted as felonies in Winnebago County have involved significant assistance on the part of victims. The documentation victims have done and their participation in the active investigation of the cases has been essential in bringing stalkers to justice and keeping victims alive.
Christine Ann Domestic Abuse Services' mission is to prevent domestic abuse and violence and to provide intervention and safety to all individuals affected by domestic violence. In addition to emergency shelter, the agency provides comprehensive programs and services in Winnebago and Green Lake Counties.
If you think you are a victim of stalking or suspect stalking of a friend or family member, please call (920)-235-5998 or (920)-729-6395.
Christine Ann Domestic Abuse Services, Inc. is a United Way agency.
Contact:
Julie Fevola
Christine Ann Domestic Abuse Services
(920) 729-5727
www.christineann.net
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