Stalking

Stalking is unwanted attention, contact, harassment, or any other repeated virtual or physical following directed at a specific person to gain power and instill fear. It is a pattern of behavior directed at a specific person that would cause a reasonable person to fear for their safety or the safety of others; or suffer substantial emotional distress. Two or more incidents make a pattern. Stalking is a crime and is a violation of BOG Governance Rule 1.6 at West Virginia University.

There are no relationship exceptions to stalking - people can be victimized by their friends, family, and other loved ones. In fact, the majority of stalking victims know their stalker (and about 40% are current or former intimate partners) [ CDC, 2016-2017]. If you feel fear, anxiety, depression, increased feelings of stress, have been self-isolating and/or feel unsafe related to any of the stalking behaviors below, trust your gut and seek support.

Types of Stalking

Physical

• Repeated visual or physical closeness with another person, such as waiting for someone to arrive at locations, following someone's routine, watching them from a distance or giving unwanted gifts.

Virtual

• Persistently sending unwanted communication over the phone or through the internet, such as repeatedly calling, texting, spamming someone's email inbox or their social media platform.

• Posting threatening, inappropriate or personal information about someone on public internet forums.

• Installation or hacking of video cameras that give the stalker access to someone's personal life.

• Using social media GPS or other software tracking systems such as placing a device underneath the hood of someone's car to monitor their location with their knowledge or consent.

• Using someone's computer and/or spyware to track their computer activity.

*Approximately 80% of stalking victims indicate technology was used [Congressional Research Service, 2022].

General Tips for Victims of Stalking

• Document and save evidence when possible. This includes emails, text messages, photos, social media posts, etc. Consider downloading the Tech Safety app. You can visit their website for more information.

• Trust your instincts. Other people can pressure victims of stalking into downplaying the stalker's behavior - but stalking poses a real threat of harm. Your safety is more important!

• Seek trusted help. Let people whom you trust (family, friends, teachers, neighbors, coworkers, etc.) know of your situation and ask them to help you stay safe. A good idea would be to have a signal or code word that you can use to let them know if you're in trouble.

• Keep a record or log of each contact with the stalker. A sample documentation log can be found on stalkingawareness.org. Contact includes encounters with the stalker, hang-up calls, and public sightings. Save all messages, emails, and your call history.

• End all contact with the person. This is sometimes easier said than done, but do not answer calls or texts, even if you are telling the person to stop.

• Create a safety plan using this guide.

• Take threats seriously. A direct threat against you is an obvious sign of danger.

• Call the police if you feel you are in immediate danger.

• Get connected with a local victim service provider.

How to Stay Safe Online and On Your Phone

• Remove your personal information online from Fast People Search using this guide.

• Don't post yourself at a location on social media or wait until AFTER you have left to post any identifiable information about where you were.

• Set your social media pages to "Private" or limit who can see what.

• On Snapchat, use ghost mode to restrict who, if anyone, can see your location.

  See Snapchat Safety Resources

• Be sure your phone is over 20% charged before leaving a safe place.

• Use Consumer Reports Security Planner to help protect your sensitive information.

• Download safety apps like LiveSafe and Noonlight. Instructions for how to use are below.

Safety and Emergency Support Services

• Call the University Police Department at 304-293-COPS (2677) if on campus.

• Call 911 if you are off campus.

• File a report with WVU's Office of Equity Assurance (Title IX)

• Report the safety concern to the CARE Team at 304-293-5611 or CARETeam@mail.wvu.edu. The CARE Team can help to navigate university policy and procedure.

Confidential Support Services

• Carruth Center for Counseling and Psychological Services
• WVU Medicine: Healthy Minds University
• Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN): 1-800-656-4673

Additional Information and Resources

• The Stalking Prevention, Awareness, and Resource Center (SPARC)
• Victim Connect Resource Center - Stalking Information