Stalking
- Getting Help if You are Being Stalked
- Safety Planning
- Protection Orders
- Police Reports and Legal Action
What is Stalking?
Stalking is defined as any unwanted, repeated and continuing contact which directly or indirectly causes a person to feel threatened, harassed or intimidated.
Victims and Survivors
People who have experienced stalking may identify as victims or survivors depending on where they are in the healing process. This term can have negative connotations by misrepresenting someone as passive, defeated and powerless. Because victims of stalking exhibit incredible strength, resiliency and ability to heal, we prefer to use the word survivor.
Survivor is a term that represents strength, empowerment, resiliency, healing and growth that each victim experiences in a unique way. We aim to help "victims" make the transition to "survivors" by regaining control of their lives and moving forward with the healing process.
Warning Signs of Stalking
There are many tactics that can be used to threaten or intimidate someone. The following is a list of common behaviors, however there are many more that can be used depending upon the nature of the stalker and their access to information.
Does someone...?
- Follow and show up wherever you are.
- Repeatedly call, email, and/or send text messages.
- Damage your home, car or other property.
- Send unwanted gifts.
- Monitor your phone calls or computer use.
- Track your whereabouts.
- Drive by or hang out near your home, school or work.
- Threaten to hurt your family, friends or pets.
- Use the Internet or public records to find information about you.
- Other actions that control, track or frighten you.
Washington State Laws for Stalking
The law in Washington State defines stalking as intentionally and repeatedly harassing or following another person when the victim is placed in fear that the stalker intends to injure them or their property. The feeling of fear must be one that a reasonable person in the same situation would experience under all the circumstances. Stalking is considered a felony or misdemeanor depending on the circumstances of the incidents.
For more complete information see the Revised Code of Washington (RCW) Title 9A Washington Criminal Code. The law is gender neutral and recognizes that stalking occurs between members of the same or opposite sex.