While legal definitions vary, a working definition of stalking is “a course of conduct directed at a specific person that would cause a reasonable person to feel fear.”
According to the Stalking Resource Center, in the United States, over 7.5 million people are stalked each year, with nearly half of all stalking victims (46 percent) facing a least one unwanted contact per week.
The majority of victims are stalked by someone they know (like an ex-partner or roommate), with experiences like having the person show up in places they were not wanted; receiving unwanted telephone calls, voicemails or text messages; being watched or followed from a distance; and being spied on.
Stalking happens in communities across the country, and chances are you know someone who has been stalked. Being someone who takes stalking seriously and is willing to help can make a difference.
If you or someone you know is experiencing a pattern of unwanted contact that is having impact on you, please contact the Office of Victim Assistance (OVA) to discuss safety concerns and explore safety planning.
What is stalking?
Stalking happens in communities across the country, and chances are you know someone who has been stalked. Being someone who takes stalking seriously and is willing to help can make a difference.
Stalking is a pattern of behavior directed at a specific person that would cause a reasonable person to feel fear or alter their everyday activities. The unwanted behaviors can consist of texts, phone calls, emails, social media posts, following someone, spying on someone, leaving unwanted gifts for someone or any combination.
Stalking is against the law in all 50 states and violates CU Boulder’s policies.
To learn more about stalking, call 303-492-8855 or visit CU’s Office of Victim Assistance (OVA) in the Center for Community. Go to the OVA website for tips on how to log unwanted behavior, how to help a friend and more. Also, OVA advocate counselors always are willing to discuss something more with you confidentially, if you want.
More information on national stalking awareness can be found at the Stalking Resource Center.
How to Help a Friend who is Being Stalked
If you know someone experiencing a pattern of behavior that is causing them to feel fear or alter their everyday activities, there are ways to support them.
- Take the situation seriously, and leave out judgement.
- Ask about, and listen to, what your friend needs to feel safe.
- Let your friend know what you are noticing and express your concern.
- Encourage your friend to keep a record of what has been happening.
- Please note if you have experienced a similar situation, your friend’s reactions and choices may differ, and that is okay.
- Consider referring your friend to free and confidential advocacy, counseling and support services at CU’s Office of Victim Assistance (OVA). They can be contacted at 303-492-8855 or assist@colorado.edu.
- Be aware that if you start to feel impacted by your friend’s situation, OVA is here for you, too! Getting support for yourself will allow you to be more available for your friend.
To learn more about stalking, visit the Stalking Resource Center and OVA's stalking pages on the “Get Help” tab. Also, look for more information on OVA’s Facebook page.