CONYERS, GA— January 2023 marks the nineteenth National Stalking Awareness Month, an annual call to action to recognize and respond to this traumatic and dangerous crime. It is critical to raise the issue of stalking as it’s a form of violence as well as a crime that frequently predicts and co-occurs with physical and sexual assault.
Stalking impacts over 1 in 6 women and 1 in 17 men in the United States. Yet, despite the prevalence, many victims, service providers, criminal justice professionals, and members of the public underestimate its danger and urgency.
The definition of stalking is a pattern of behavior directed at a specific person that causes fear. Many stalking victims are followed, approached, monitored, and threatened through various forms of technology. Victims and survivors often suffer anxiety, social dysfunction, and severe depression, because of their victimization, and many lose time from work and relocate. Stalking is a terrifying and psychologically harmful crime. It is a predictor of potentially lethal violence: 1 in 5 stalkers use weapons to threaten or harm victims, and stalking increases the risk of intimate partner homicide by three times.
Stalking is a crime in all 50 states — but it can be challenging to recognize and prosecute in a system designed to respond to singular incidents rather than the series of acts that constitute stalking.
This year’s theme of “Know It. Name It. Stop It.” is a call to action for everyone across the country. While police and victim-serving professionals are critical, the reality is that most victims tell friends or family about the stalking first. Responding with empathy and connecting victims to resources is key.
“We all have a role to play in identifying stalking, intervening when necessary, and supporting victims and survivors,” said Judge Nancy Bills, Rockdale County Superior Court. Judge Bills stated they offer seminars and training to promote awareness and public education about stalking at any time desired.
For additional resources to help promote National Stalking Awareness Month, please visit http://stalkingawareness.org and www.ovw.usdoj.gov. In addition, go to the website https://www.rockdaleda.com for Alisha Johnson, District Attorney for Rockdale County.
Marchman Consulting helps communities make an impact with data analysis, grant development, implementation, and evaluation for sustainability efforts for a variety of programs. An example is alcohol risk management (ARM) measures, such as Marchman’s award-winning RASS training program. Validating his success, Marchman was the recipient of the Office of Victims of Crime 2022 Victims’ Rights Award presented by U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland on the Washington Mall. More information about his services is available at www.marchmanconsulting.com.
