January is National Stalking Awareness Month
January 2024 marks the 20th annual National Stalking Awareness Month (NSAM), an annual call to action to recognize and respond to the serious crime of stalking. Stalking often co-occurs with — and increases the risks of — domestic violence. Millions of individuals of all genders are stalked every year in the United States and nearly half of stalkers are intimate partners (current or former). Many abusers stalk their partners both during and after the relationship has ended as an extension of coercive control. Stalking is a terrifying and psychologically harmful victimization.
Stalking is a pattern of behavior directed at a specific person that causes fear or emotional distress. On average, stalkers who are intimate partners are more threatening and dangerous than other stalkers, and intimate partner abusers who stalk are more threatening and dangerous than abusers who don’t stalk. Stalking increases the risk of intimate partner homicide by three times. The prevalence of anxiety, insomnia, social dysfunction, and severe depression is much higher among stalking victims than in the general population.
RESILIENCE CAN HELP: Our advocates can help develop a personalized strategy to minimize your risk of harm. They provide guidance in preparing for court, assistance with filing Personal Protection Orders, and help with navigating the legal system. Call our Help Line or stop into our Holland Office any time Monday – Friday, 9AM-5PM.
We see you. We believe you. Help is available.
If you or someone you know is experiencing stalking, help is available. Advocates at Resilience can assist with Personal Protection Orders and provide support.
For free and confidential support, contact us today:
24-Hour Help Line: 1-800-848-5991
Hablamos Español: 1-866-728-2131
Safe E-mail: GinnyP411@gmail.com
