[vc_row full_width=”stretch_row_content_no_spaces”][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”3158″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row full_width=”stretch_row” css=”.vc_custom_1541017321824{padding-top: 50px !important;background-image: url(https:\/\/sparc.broncotime.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Bkgrnd.jpg?id=2040) !important;background-position: center !important;background-repeat: no-repeat !important;background-size: cover !important;}”][vc_column][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1622828706940{padding-bottom: 30px !important;}”]<\/p>\n
[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n
[\/vc_column_text][vc_tta_accordion style=”modern” shape=”square” spacing=”15″ gap=”15″ c_position=”right” active_section=”-1″ no_fill=”true” collapsible_all=”true” el_class=”sparc-faq”][vc_tta_section title=”How many incidents make a pattern?” tab_id=”1537978411844-584a1da9-69a8″][vc_column_text]Two or more incidents make a pattern.\u00a0 However, definition vary from state-to-state. It\u2019s important to be familiar with your state\u2019s laws about stalking.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”What types of behaviors are considered stalking?” tab_id=”1537978411858-2c051fd6-222b”][vc_column_text]Stalkers use a variety of tactics, including (but not limited to): unwanted contact including phone calls, texts, and contact via social media, unwanted gifts, showing up\/approaching an individual or their family\/friends, monitoring, surveillance, property damage, and threats.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”Pattern of Behavior: What if the stalker\u2019s actions aren\u2019t illegal (for example, sending gifts)?” tab_id=”1537978502980-9ea8b8ab-84dd”][vc_column_text]Stalking is a crime in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, U.S. territories, the military and tribal lands. Some of the behaviors that make up the crime of stalking are criminal on their own (like property damage). Even if the behavior is not a crime on its own (like texting excessively), it may be part of the pattern of stalking behavior and victims should consider documenting and reporting it.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][\/vc_tta_accordion][vc_separator color=”custom” accent_color=”#536084″ css=”.vc_custom_1537980341303{margin-bottom: 0px !important;padding-top: 20px !important;padding-bottom: 40px !important;}”][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n
[\/vc_column_text][vc_tta_accordion style=”modern” shape=”square” spacing=”15″ gap=”15″ c_position=”right” active_section=”-1″ no_fill=”true” collapsible_all=”true” el_class=”sparc-faq”][vc_tta_section title=”What does “specific person“ mean?” tab_id=”1537979509778-c7652d62-9994″][vc_column_text]Stalking is typically directed at a specific person \u2013 the victim. However, stalkers often contact the victim\u2019s family, friends and\/or coworkers as part of their pattern of behavior.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”Who is likely to be stalked?” tab_id=”1537979509793-d4c53b5c-73a0″][vc_column_text]Anyone can be a victim of stalking. A majority of stalking victims are stalked by someone they know: a current or former intimate partner, acquaintance, or family member.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”Are men or women more likely to be stalked?” tab_id=”1537979509805-8a45c44f-4fcd”][vc_column_text]The majority of stalking victims are female. However, people of all genders can be stalked. It is estimated that 1 in 6 women and 1 in 17 men will experience stalking in their lifetime.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][\/vc_tta_accordion][vc_separator color=”custom” accent_color=”#536084″ css=”.vc_custom_1537980258827{margin-bottom: 0px !important;padding-top: 20px !important;padding-bottom: 20px !important;}”][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n
The definition of stalking includes that a reasonable person would feel fear. It is important to note that fear is often masked by other emotions: anger, frustration, hopelessness or despair.[\/vc_column_text][vc_tta_accordion style=”modern” shape=”square” spacing=”15″ gap=”15″ c_position=”right” active_section=”-1″ no_fill=”true” collapsible_all=”true” el_class=”sparc-faq”][vc_tta_section title=”Fear” tab_id=”1537979698177-ceb119f0-52c9″][vc_column_text]Many stalkers\u2019 behaviors seem innocuous or even desirable to outsiders \u2013 for example, sending expensive gifts. The stalker\u2019s actions don\u2019t seem scary and are hard to explain.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”How can I explain what\u2019s going on?” tab_id=”1537979698201-432a38b8-c8e5″][vc_column_text]Fear is contextual. What\u2019s scary to one person may not be scary to another. In stalking cases, many of the behaviors are only scary to a victim because of their relationship with the stalker.<\/p>\n
For example: A bouquet of roses is not scary on its own. But when a victim receives a bouquet from an abusive ex-boyfriend who she recently relocated to get away from \u2013 and she did not think he knew where her new home was \u2013 this flower delivery becomes terrifying and threatening.<\/p>\n
It is essential for responders to ask about and understand why certain behaviors are scary to the victim.
\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”What if the victim is more irritated or angry than afraid?” tab_id=”1537979698234-d60259f0-ea8e”][vc_column_text]People react to stalkers in a variety of ways. Some may seem irritated or angry rather than scared, while others may minimize and dismiss their stalking as \u201cno big deal.\u201d Irritation, anger, and\/or minimization may be masking fear.<\/p>\n
It is helpful to consider how victims may change their behaviors to cope with the stalking. Are they changing travel routes? Avoiding certain locations? Screening calls? These may be indicators that victims are afraid.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][\/vc_tta_accordion][vc_separator color=”custom” accent_color=”#536084″ css=”.vc_custom_1537980271047{margin-bottom: 0px !important;padding-top: 20px !important;padding-bottom: 20px !important;}”][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n
[\/vc_column_text][vc_tta_accordion style=”modern” shape=”square” spacing=”15″ gap=”15″ c_position=”right” active_section=”-1″ no_fill=”true” collapsible_all=”true” el_class=”sparc-faq” css=”.vc_custom_1537985038588{padding-bottom: 50px !important;}”][vc_tta_section title=”How is stalking different than harassment?” tab_id=”1537979925610-57169d38-7696″][vc_column_text]Stalking and harassment are similar and can overlap. Harassment may be part of a stalking pattern of behavior\/course of conduct.<\/p>\n
Generally, the element of fear is what separates stalking from harassment. Harassment is typically irritating and bothersome, sometimes to the point where a victim feels deeply uncomfortable. However, victims of harassment are not typically afraid of their perpetrators.<\/p>\n
For example, a colleague who consistently mocks a new coworker for her appearance may be harassing her by saying cruel things and sending disparaging e-mails. While the victim is distressed and may feel sad, anxious, angry and\/or uncomfortable, she is not afraid of the perpetrator \u2013 she does not believe that the behaviors will escalate or that further harm will come to her. However, if that same perpetrator began calling the victim\u2019s cell phone, following the victim and\/or posting disparaging things about the victim online, it could become stalking.
\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][\/vc_tta_accordion][\/vc_column][\/vc_row]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
[vc_row full_width=”stretch_row_content_no_spaces”][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”3158″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row full_width=”stretch_row” css=”.vc_custom_1541017321824{padding-top: 50px !important;background-image: url(https:\/\/sparc.broncotime.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Bkgrnd.jpg?id=2040) !important;background-position: center !important;background-repeat: no-repeat !important;background-size: cover !important;}”][vc_column][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1622828706940{padding-bottom: 30px !important;}”] What is stalking? Stalking Definition: A pattern of behavior \u00a0directed at a specific person that would cause a reasonable person to fear for the person\u2019s safety or the safety of others; or suffer substantial emotional…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":[],"yoast_head":"\n