January is National Stalking Awareness Month and West Virginia University Police have taken steps to help prevent the occurrence of these crimes on campus.
WVU Police offer stalking prevention kits to distribute to victims which include: a log book and ink pen, disposable camera and gloves, pepper spray, flash light, whistle and extra batteries.
The police carry these kits in their cruisers and keep a stock in their office.
Kits are distributed to students who express interest, and instructions are given as to how each item should be used.
Students are also welcome to attend P.R.O.T.E.C.T., a free self-defense class for females who want to develop the physical skills and a mind-set to defend themselves.
Stalking is a crime, yet many victims and criminal justice professionals underestimate its impact.
In one of five cases, stalkers use weapons to harm or threaten victims, and stalking is one of the significant risk factors for femicide (homicide of women) in abusive relationships.
A high percentage of stalking is experienced in the age group of 18-24. However, stalking is difficult to recognize, investigate and prosecute.
Unlike other crimes, stalking is not a single, easily identifiable crime but a series of acts – a course of conduct directed at a specific person that would cause that person fear.
Stalking may take many forms, such as assaults, threats, vandalism, burglary or animal abuse, as well as unwanted cards, calls, gifts or visits.
One in four victims report a stalker using technology, such as computers, global positioning system devices or hidden cameras, to track the victim's daily activities.
University Police emphasizes the importance of keeping personal information such as addresses, phone numbers and birthdays off social networking sites.
Seventy-eight percent of stalkers use more than one means of stalking; two-thirds pursue their victims at least once a week and many do so daily.
Stalking can affect a victim's emotional, physical and economic well-being.
Victims of stalking are encouraged to report incidents to the police.
Police will encourage victims to keep a log of all the stalking behavior including any emails, text messages, notes left on vehicles or apartment doors and phone messages.
Find out the description of stalking in the state of West Virginia here.
For additional information on stalking or other crime prevention issues, contact the University Police Department at 304-293-COPS or visit us online at www.police.wvu.edu or www.stalkingawarenessmonth.org.
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