Stalking
Stalking – (as defined in the VAWA amendments to the Clery Act) means engaging in a course of conduct directed at a specific person that would cause a reasonable person to—
- fear for their safety or the safety of others; or
- suffer substantial emotional distress.
A course of conduct is when a person engages in two or more acts that include, but are not limited to, acts in which the person directly, indirectly, or through third parties, by any action, method, device, or means, follows, monitors, observes, surveys, threatens, or communicates to or about a person in a prohibited way, or interferes with a person’s property.
Stalking includes the concept of cyberstalking, in which electronic media such as the Internet, social networks, blogs, cell phones, texts, email or other similar devices or forms of contact are used to pursue, harass, or to make unwelcome contact with another person in an unsolicited fashion.
Stalking is categorized as Regulatory when it occurs in the United States, within an Education Program or Activity and when the Complainant is participating or seeking to participate in an Education Program or Activity at the time of the filing of the complaint. Otherwise, Stalking will be categorized as Non-Regulatory.
National Center for Victims of Crime
The National Center for Victims of Crime created the Stalking Resource Center to provide comprehensive information on stalking, including fact sheets, statistics, and help for victims.