Stalking

Definition

Stalking is a crime and should be taken seriously.

Stalking is a willful course of conduct that will cause a person to be afraid or intimidated.

Oregon's definition of stalking...

A person knowingly alarming or coercing another person by engaging in repeated and unwanted contact with another person (CARDV 2006).

Examples of Stalking Behaviors

• Following a person
• Appearing at a person's home, classroom or place of business
• Making harrassing phone calls, text messages, emails or letters
• Leaving gifts
• Threatening or injuring loved ones or pets
• Relocating personal items (such as car mirrors, welcome mats, etc.)
• Vandalizing a person's property

Four Criteria of Stalking

Please note: A safety plan should be in place PRIOR to notice being given to the stalker.

Unwanted repeated behaviors such as phone calls, e-mails, chat room, waiting outside of office, leaving messages, flowers, etc.

The negative effect the unwanted behavior is having upon the targeted individual.

Reasonable-ness: would other reasonable people be uncomfortable, afraid, or intimidated by the unwanted behavior?

Notification: Communication that the stalker's behavior is unwanted and should stop. Communication can come from sources other than the person experiencing the stalking, such as law enforcement. Please remember that a safety plan should be in place prior to notification.

For more information about creating safety plans, please contact:

Sexual Assault Support Services at 541-737-7604 or the Center Against Rape and Domestic Violence Crisis Line at 541-754-0110.

If you are a survivor of sexual assault, you may complete an Online Report Form or download an Anonymous Report Form (PDF) at http://oregonstate.edu/sexualassault.