January marks Stalking Awareness Month, an annual campaign dedicated to raising awareness about the pervasive issue of stalking and its impact on victims’ lives. Stalking is a serious and often underreported crime that can cause significant emotional and psychological harm to those affected.
Stalking is defined as a pattern of repeated, unwanted attention, harassment, contact, or any other behavior directed at a specific person that causes the target to feel threatened, fearful, or unsafe. Stalking can manifest in various forms, including cyberstalking, in-person stalking, and unwanted communication through phone calls, texts, or social media.
Stalking Awareness Month provides an opportunity to shed light on this often misunderstood and underreported crime. The campaign aims to educate the public about the signs of stalking, encourage survivors to speak out, and promote community support for those affected. By fostering awareness, Stalking Awareness Month contributes to the prevention and intervention efforts to stop stalking behaviors.
To better understand the prevalence of stalking, let’s examine some statistics specific to New Hampshire. According to recent data from law enforcement agencies and victim service providers in New Hampshire, there has been an alarming increase in reported cases of stalking. While these figures represent only reported incidents, experts believe that stalking remains significantly underreported due to the clandestine nature of the crime. According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics, less than a third (29%) of all stalking victims reported the victimization to police in 2019.
Stalking affects individuals across various demographics, regardless of age, gender, or socioeconomic status. In New Hampshire, statistics reveal stalking impacts people from all backgrounds, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive and inclusive approach to address the issue.
With the rise of technology, cyberstalking has become a prevalent form of stalking. In New Hampshire, a notable percentage of stalking cases involve the misuse of technology, such as hacking into personal accounts, tracking through GPS, or sending threatening messages online.
Stalking can have severe mental health implications for survivors. Anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are commonly reported among those who have experienced stalking in New Hampshire. Most often, victims experience long-term physical and mental health issues as well as their social lives being negatively impacted. A victim’s physical health can be impacted by the fear and anxiety that a stalker can cause. According to Current Psychiatry, stalking victims report numerous, severe, life-changing effects from being stalked, including physical, social, and psychological harm.
Increased awareness can contribute to better mental health support for survivors. Stalking Awareness Month serves as a crucial platform to amplify the voices of survivors, educate communities, and advocate for policies that address and prevent stalking. An estimated 13.5 million people are stalked in a
one-year period in the United States. That is nearly 1 in 3 women and 1 in 6 men. The statistics underscore the need for continued efforts to raise awareness, improve reporting mechanisms, and support victims in their journey toward healing. By coming together as a community, we can work towards a future where stalking is no longer tolerated, and survivors are empowered to reclaim their lives.