Stalking
STALKING
by DiAnn Lanke Stasik 10/16/08
The crime of stalking involves much more than predatory behavior, although that is typically one element of criminal stalking. The motivations for the stalking, including obsessional causes, are not at all relevant to defining the crime of stalking. Instead, most state penal codes define stalking as involving the following three elements:
- A pattern of willful or intentional harassing or annoying/alarming conduct, such as repeat messages, following, vandalism, and other unwanted behaviors
- Infliction of credible explicit or implicit threats against a victim’s safety or that of her family
- Actual and reasonable victim fear of the stalker resulting from that behavior. Are you at risk for being stalked? Annually 1,006,970 women & 370,990 men in the US are stalked. This means that one out of twelve women & one out of 45 men will be stalked in their lifetime. Stalking victims are usually between the ages of 18-26. One recent study showed that thirteen percent of college women were stalked during one 6- to 9-month period.
What do you know about stalking? Take the quiz below to test your knowledge.
WOW’s Self-Evaluation Quiz for STALKING
1. True or False - If you are married or dating, you are safe from stalking?
2. True or False - The best action plan when stalked is to confront your stalker.
3. True or False – Most stalkers find modern surveillance technology too expensive & confusing to use.
4. True or False - The vast majority of stalking victims are ordinary citizens.
5. True or False - Stalking is creepy and dangerous.
6. True or False – Just ignore stalking, it will go away.
7. What are the appropriate ways to deal with stalking?
8. True or False – Self Defense training is a preventive measure which bring about awareness, self-confidence and fitness to defend yourself.
9 & 10 Cyberstalkers use re-mailers to reach an anonymous identity. Name two popular applications.
Want to know the answers? Just write me for the answer key.
Best wishes for safety, health & happiness,
DiAnn
DiAnn L. Stasik, M.Ed, CI-Ptr
NWMAF, NETA & AWSDA certified
W.O.W. - Women Only Workout, LLC
www.womenselfdefense.net
Tags: harassing, self defense training, stalked, stalking, stalking victims