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National Stalking Awareness Month

  • Writer: Katie Davin
    Katie Davin
  • 5 days ago
  • 3 min read

If you’re anything like me, you might have trouble staying on top of awareness campaigns throughout the year. Unbeknownst to some, January is National Stalking Awareness Month—an effort to spotlight a deleterious form of victimization that is often overlooked, dismissed, or even romanticized in the media (think the show You). Though the term ‘stalking’ is often used colloquially, it’s important that we have an accurate understanding of what it entails so that we can increase our awareness of this behavior, prevent it, and better guide survivors to assistance. 


So, how do we define stalking? 

According to the Stalking Prevention, Awareness, and Resource Center (SPARC), stalking is defined as a pattern of behaviors focused on an individual that are unwanted and repeated, resulting in fear, feeling threatened, and concern for one’s safety. In North Carolina, “stalking (G.S. 14-277.3A) includes, but is not limited to, a pattern of following, observing, or monitoring the victim, or committing violent or intimidating acts against the victim, regardless of the means.” Per North Carolina state law, two or more acts are considered a “pattern.”


What are these behaviors? These privacy-violating actions can include, but are not limited to: 

  • Unwanted phone calls and text messages (most commonly reported tactic)

  • Cyber monitoring and surveillance via contact through social media platforms, email, and/or the creation of fake social media accounts or profiles

  • Unwanted gifts, flowers, and letters

  • Physical surveillance and monitoring (showing up at a workplace, home, social gathering space, etc.)

  • Approaching the individual and/or their family members or loved ones

  • Use of technology to track or monitor the individual’s location

  • Damaging property


Who is impacted? 

The CDC’s National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey reports that millions are affected by this form of violence, such that about 1 in 5 women and 1 in 10 men have been stalked in their lifetime. Of the females surveyed, more than half (22.3 million) indicated that their first victimization occurred before age 25. Similar findings were indicated for males, with 48.6% of male victims experiencing stalking before their mid-twenties. These statistics are astounding and underscore the need to enhance prevention and support efforts. 


What may also be surprising is that stalking committed by a stranger is less common; most victims report knowing their stalker. This may include a family member, acquaintance, or a current or former intimate partner. Stalking perpetrated by a current or former intimate partner, referred to as intimate partner stalking (IPS), is recognized as a form of intimate partner violence (IPV) or domestic violence. In fact, perpetrators are most often intimate partners or acquaintances (e.g., friends, neighbors, classmates, roommates, or coworkers).


What are the consequences? 

Stalking is considered a public health issue due to its impact on a survivor’s physical and psychological well-being. Stalking has been associated with increased anxiety, depression, sleep disturbances, panic attacks, suicidal ideation, and substance abuse. The effects of stalking can be pervasive, threatening an individual’s financial security and leading to significant lifestyle changes to prevent contact with the stalker, such as limiting social activities, missing work or school, changing workplaces or phone numbers, or even relocating entirely.


What do I do, or who do I contact? 

If you or a loved one are concerned that this is happening, here are some strategies to consider:


Organizations that can provide guidance:


Being a victim of stalking can be unsettling and isolating. If any of this post resonates with you, please know that you are not alone. Support is available, and your safety is a priority. We encourage you to review the resources above and pass along this information to any who might be in need.


Katie Davin, LCMHC

Katie primarily works with adolescents and young adults, and values continued study of evidence-based practices to help her clients achieve the most meaningful results. Katie is motivated to help clients tackle the obstacles that prevent them from connecting with others and experiencing life in the ways they want to. Katie helps clients achieve this by equipping them with knowledge and strategic, practical skills.



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