Stalking Awareness Month: Know it, Name it, Stop it Published Jan. 21, 2015 By Tech. Sgt. Chad Thompson 341st Missile Wing Public Affairs MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. -- Have you ever had that feeling like you were being watched? It puts you on edge. Your pounding heart reverberates in your ears like a jet fighter's afterburner--something knocks over a trash can in a dark alley and it makes you jump out of your skin. A few seconds later you get the fifth of a series of odd texts from your ex- and think it's unusual they sent you a message that exact moment. You lock your car and head toward your apartment to see the door was left open a crack. The rusty door hinge creaks as you slowly peak inside, and it sends shivers down your spine to see the "I love you, we should get back together," written in lipstick on a hallway mirror. You are the victim of a crime--you have a stalker. It sounds pretty farfetched right? Well it's not. Things like this do happen, and according to a U.S. Department of Justice 2012 study, more than 6.6 million victims reported being stalked in the United States. January is National Stalking Awareness Month and the theme--"Stalking: Know It. Name It. Stop It."--challenges everyone in the community to learn more about this crime in order to fight it and stop it. Stalking is a crime in all 50 states, U.S. territories and D.C., and it can be difficult to recognize, investigate and prosecute because unlike other crimes, stalking is not a single, easily identifiable act but a series of misconduct directed toward a specific person. "(Stalking) is incredibly dangerous," said Shawn Swan, Malmstrom's Domestic Abuse Victim Advocate. "Don't think it will end on its own. The average stalking case could last years. The burden is on the victim, their friends or family members to report instances of stalking or harassment so law enforcement and other government officials have records that can be used to prosecute the offender." What is stalking? The Department of Justice defines stalking as 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 can include, but is not limited to: --Repeated, unwanted, intrusive and frightening communications from the perpetrator by phone, mail or email. --Repeatedly leaving or sending the victim unwanted items, presents or flowers. --Following or waiting for the victim at home, school, work or other public places. --Making direct or indirect threats to harm the victim, the victim's children, relatives, friends or pets. --Damaging or threatening to damage the victim's property. --Harassing the victim through the internet. --Posting information or spreading rumors about the victim on the internet, in a public place or by word of mouth. --Obtaining personal information about the victim by accessing public records, using internet search services, hiring private investigators, going through the victim's garbage, following the victim, contacting victim's friends, family work, or neighbors, etc. "When a stalker's initial advances are rejected, or they no longer feel connected to their victim, the intrusiveness, frequency and severity of the harassment and stalking behaviors usually increases," Swan said. If this happens, the stalker could become more violent and that's when the victim needs to seek help, she said. What can you do if you become a victim? As many as 1-in-4 women and 1-in-13 men have experienced stalking victimization at some point during their lifetime and most often the stalker is someone the victim knows--an acquaintance, a relative or a current or former intimate partner. Swan said stalking is unpredictable and dangerous but there are steps victims can take to increase their safety. --Trust your instincts. Victims of stalking often feel pressured by friends or family to downplay the stalker's behavior, but stalking poses a real threat of harm. Safety is paramount. --Call 911 if you feel you are in any immediate danger. Explain why even some actions that seem harmless--like leaving you a gift--are causing you fear. --Keep a record or log of each contact with the stalker. Be sure to also document any police reports. --Stalkers often use technology to contact their victims. Save all emails, text messages, photos and postings on social networking sites as evidence of the stalking behavior. --Get connected with a local victim advocate to talk through your options and discuss safety planning. Call the on-base 24/7 Domestic Abuse Victim Advocate hotline at 406-952-3019 or the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE. "(For military members) the first sergeant and squadron commander can begin by letting the suspected offender know there was someone who reported behavior that indicates stalking acts, which if needed they have the ability to issues no contact orders," Swan said. "City police and the county sheriff's department can also step in to assist the victim. There are a lot of agencies out there that can help." How can you help if you know someone who is a victim? "There are many helping agencies; everyone from command leadership, legal, security forces and downtown agencies," Swan said. "Family Advocacy has treatment managers for psychological assistance who can also offer support if the stalker is someone the victim had a personal relationship or shares a child with." If there has been reported sexual misconduct and the accused offender is a stranger, the Sexual Assault Response and Prevention office is a good place to turn. "All victim advocates are willing to offer support, attend meetings, go to any legal or medical appointments and assist other referrals for the victim," Swan said. "Sometimes the victim can feel very isolated and alone. They appreciate having someone who can just offer support." Help is out there and if you or someone you know has fallen victim to this type of crime notify local law enforcement, security forces, friends, family, Family Advocacy or the Sexual Assault Response and Prevention office--don't be afraid to take a stand and put a stop to stalking. For more information on how to stop stalking visit www.stalkingawarenessmonth.org or www.ovw.usdoj.gov. Editor's Note: Much of the information and research for this article was obtained from www.justice.gov/ovw/stalking and www.stalkingawarenessmonth.org.