National Stalking Awareness Month is an annual campaign held every January to bring attention to the crime of stalking and to educate the public about its impacts and how to stay safe. Stalking is a serious issue that affects millions of people every year and can have severe consequences for the victims.

Stalking is a pattern of unwelcome physical contact, unwanted attention, or both. A specific person is typically the target of this wrongdoing, which would make a reasonable person fearful. This can include physical stalking, such as following someone or showing up at their home or work uninvited and cyberstalking, which involves using technology to harass or intimidate someone. 

Why Is Stalking Awareness Important?

Stalking can take many forms, and often, the stalker is someone the victim knows, such as a current or former romantic partner or a stranger. Stalking awareness is crucial so people can identify the issue and protect themselves from it. 

Stalking Is A Crime

First, stalking is a serious crime that can have severe consequences for the victims. Stalking can cause fear, stress, and a sense of constant danger for the person being stalked. It can also have long-term effects on the victim’s mental health and well-being.

Stalking Is Not An Insignificant Problem

Stalking is often misunderstood or dismissed as a minor or insignificant issue. By raising awareness about stalking, we can help educate the public about the severe nature of this crime and its impact on victims. This can help to ensure that stalking is taken more seriously by law enforcement and the judicial system and that victims receive the support and protection they need.

Stalking Awareness Prevents Stalking

Stalking awareness can help to prevent stalking from occurring in the first place. By educating the public about the warning signs of stalking and how to stay safe, we can empower individuals to recognize when they or someone they know may be at risk of being stalked and to take steps to protect themselves.

What National Databases Report About Stalking? 

According to the National Institute of Justice, about 7.5 million people in the United States are stalked yearly. Most stalking victims are women, and the majority of stalkers are men. However, men can also be victims of stalking, and anyone can be at risk.

Stalking can have severe consequences for victims. About one in four stalking victims lose time from work due to the stalking, and one in five experience negative impacts on their work performance. 

Stalking can also have high financial costs, as victims may need to take time off work, move to a new location, or make other changes to protect themselves.

Many stalking victims report feeling anxious, depressed, or fearful due to the stalking. Stalking can also lead to losing control and constantly being on guard. 

In addition to the individual impacts of stalking, there are also societal costs associated with this crime. Stalking can strain relationships and disrupt the lives of the victim’s friends and family. It can cause a loss of productivity and a decrease in the quality of life for the victim.

It is important to note that these statistics may not fully capture the extent of stalking in the United States, as many stalking cases go unreported. This is often due to fear of the stalker or a lack of awareness about how to report stalking. By raising awareness about stalking and providing resources and support for victims, we can work towards reducing the prevalence of this crime and supporting those who have experienced it.

Who Kind Of People Are At Risk Of Being Stalked?

Several types of people may be more at risk of being stalked. For example, individuals who have recently ended a relationship, mainly if it was a tumultuous or abusive one, may be more likely to be stalked by their former partner. 

People in the public eye, such as celebrities or politicians, may also be at higher risk of stalking due to their visibility. However, anyone can be a victim of stalking, regardless of age, gender, or background.

How To Stay Safe From Stalking

There are several things that individuals can do to stay safe from stalking. Some safety tips include:

• Letting trusted friends and family members know about the stalking and asking for their support and assistance
• Changing your routine and avoiding places where the stalker is likely to be
• Varying your travel routes to and from work or school
• Setting privacy settings on social media accounts to limit who can see your posts and personal information
• Keeping a record of all stalking incidents, including the dates, times, and any details of the incidents
• Seeking help from a trusted organization or agency, such as a domestic violence shelter or the police

How A Personal Safety Device Helps Protect From Stalking

One way that individuals can protect themselves against stalking is by using a personal safety panic button. These devices are small, portable, and can easily be carried on a keychain or pocket. 

When activated, they send a distress signal to predetermined emergency contacts, such as family members or friends, alerting them to the user’s location and need for assistance. Many personal safety panic buttons also have additional features, such as GPS tracking and two-way communication, which can further enhance the user’s safety.

Silent Beacon’s panic button can provide peace of mind and a sense of security for individuals who are at risk of being stalked. It can also serve as a deterrent for stalkers, as they may be less likely to approach or harass someone who has a visible means of summoning help.

Final Thoughts

In conclusion, National Stalking Awareness Month is an important campaign that helps to bring attention to the crime of stalking and its impacts on victims. 

Stalking can affect anyone, but there are steps that individuals can take to stay safe and protect themselves, such as seeking support from trusted friends and family, changing their routines, and using a personal safety panic button. 

The public needs to be educated about stalking and the warning signs so we can work towards preventing this crime and supporting those who have experienced it.