As the new year begins, Freeborn County Crime Victims Crisis Center volunteer advocates are hoping to raise awareness of a lesser publicized crime.

During what is National Stalking Awareness Month in January, advocates are spreading the word of what stalking is and how people can protect themselves against it.

“I think a lot of our clients come in and there’s stalking-like behavior,” said CVCC Volunteer Coordinator Michelle French. “It’s not uncommon for a client to come in and say ‘He’s sitting outside my house and watching me.’”

Across the country, roughly 1,000 women and 3,000 men are stalked annually, said volunteer advocate Lillia Walther. However, this number only includes reported crimes. It could be significantly higher if the unreported instances were included.

Walther said stalking is defined as a pattern or behavior directed at a certain person to feel fear. Some people confuse harassment and stalking. While harassment can be considered annoying, stalking actually makes a person afraid.

Stalkers have a need to be in control, have extreme possession over their victim, use manipulation and blame others for things. They’re often unable to take no for an answer, she said.

“If you notice some of that stuff, it’s probably a red flag,” Walther said. “Ask yourself, ‘Is this a good situation to be in?’”

Some of the tactics stalkers use include GPS tracking, taking pictures, tracking e-mails and intimidation, she said.

With advances in technology, stalkers are using a lot more technology in their efforts — including with miniature video cameras, listening devices, spyware and cell phones, French added.

If people believe they are being stalked, they should have an emergency safety plan with friends and family and get harassment restraining orders or an order for protection, depending on the circumstances.

Victims should keep a log of encounters they have with the stalker that can be given to police if reported later and keep any e-mails, letters or text messages that the stalker is giving.

“If it gets to the point where you feel like your life is in danger, get some higher up help to get the stalker,” Walther said.

It is also important to ask the person to leave. If they don’t, then call the police, the two advocates said.

Victims can call the CVCC for support or to learn more about prevention.

French noted that three out of four women who were killed by their intimate partner had previously been stalked by them.

To raise awareness during January, the CVCC if making silver ribbons to distribute throughout town. There will also be a display case with stalking statistics and information at the Department of Human Services building.

French said the common stalking victim is an ordinary person pursued by someone they know.

To defeat stalkers, both victims and the community must take stalkers seriously, she said. They should trust their instincts, document evidence and report it to law enforcement.

Community members can show support to victims by listening to them and never blaming them for the crime.

For questions or concerns about stalking, contact:

the Freeborn County Crime Victims Crisis Center at 377-5460

the National Center for Victims of Crime helpline at 1 (800) FYI-CALL

More information can also be found at www.ncvc.org.