According to the U.S. Department of Justice’s Bureau of Justice Statistics, an estimated 3.4 million people were reported victims of stalking during a 12-month period in recent years.
Melissa Orgill, a graduate teaching assistant at the Idaho State University Wellness Center, defines stalking as “any behavior that causes victims to feel a high level of fear of physical or sexual violence.”
One study by the Bureau reported that college students are particularly vulnerable to stalking — roughly 27 to 35 percent of female students and approximately 15 to 18 percent of male students will be stalked during their time at school.
With the advent of the cyber era, the ease of stalking has only increased.
Stalkers can now use the internet to stalk their victims in a myriad of ways previously impossible.
Experts caution that cyberstalking is possible even for a stalker with little technological savvy.
Social networking sites like Facebook or Instagram are potential ways in which stalkers can keep track of their target’s movements.
The U.S. Department of Justice’s Bureau of Justice Statistics reports that one in four stalking instances involve some form of cyberstalking, such as email (83 percent) or instant messaging (35 percent).
Common signs of stalking may involve victims receiving an unreasonable amount of contact from another individual, especially after the victim has made it clear that the contact is unwanted.
This contact may include simply showing up unexpectedly at workplaces or at the victim’s home, or something more concrete, as with electronic contact.
A victim of stalking may receive multiple phone calls within a short span of time, may discover his or her email inbox is filled with angry or pleading messages, or may be contacted excessively in other ways.
The Bureau also reported that video or digital cameras were equally likely to be used as listening devices or bugs to track victims.
Programs like “Spy Phone” allow stalkers — particularly if they know the victim, as many stalkers do — to turn phones into listening devices, which automatically record every incoming and outgoing conversation and send the recordings to the stalker.
Despite all 50 states having some form of legislature outlawing stalking, it can be extremely difficult to prove that stalking has occurred, especially when the stalking involves contact less concrete than text messaging or emails.
Orgill suggests seeking “immediate professional help to establish your safety.”
Despite possible police help, stalking can be hard to prove. Orgill suggests noting every individual occurrence, as those notes can eventually be submitted as evidence.
“Document everything that happens and look for patterns — save text messages, voice messages, email, sighting occurrences, etc.”
Rhonda D’Amico, interim director of the Wellness Center, understands the frustration of attempting to prove that a victim is being stalked.
“Victims start feeling like they’re going crazy. It’s all about power,” she comments. D’Amico is also incredulous at the stalkers themselves. “What amazes me is the time and energy required. Why is that person so obsessed with the other person’s whereabouts?”
Orgill cautions, “Stalking is difficult to prove. Trust yourself. If you feel scared or threatened, you have a reason.”
