Announcement

January is National Stalking Awareness Month

January 7, 2020

January is National Stalking Awareness Month. As a University, we want to take this as an opportunity to educate our campus community on the issues of stalking, including promoting awareness and prevention. 

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), Office on Violence Against Women defines Stalking as “engaging in a course of conduct directed at a specific person that would cause a reasonable person to fear for his, her, or their safety or the safety of others or suffer substantial emotional duress.” 

According to published Stalking statistics by the Bureau of Justice Statistics:

  • 14 in every 1000 people of 18 years or older are victims of Stalking every year.
  • 46% of victims experienced at least one unwanted contact per week.
  • 3 in 4 Stalking victims know their stalker in some capacity 
  • Approximately 1 in 4 Stalking victims experienced some form of cyberstalking 
  • 11% of victims have been stalked for five years or more

Throughout the month of January, please take the time to learn more about warning signs, reporting options, and how to help. Individuals are classified as Stalking victims if they experienced at least one concerning behavior on at least two separate occasions. 

Concerning Behaviors

  • Making unwanted phone calls
  • Sending unsolicited or unwanted letters or emails
  • Following or spying on the victim
  • Showing up at places without a legitimate reason
  • Waiting at places for the victim
  • Leaving unwanted presents
  • Posting information or spreading rumors about the victim

Things to Do

  • Trust your instincts 
  • Don’t communicate with the stalker
  • Take threats seriously
  • Develop a safety plan, like changing your routine 
  • Keep evidence of the stalking 
  • Tell people; family, friends, security staff at your institution 
  • Keep evidence of the stalking   

 

Wear yellow -- the color of National Stalking Awareness Month -- during the month of January and use this as a way to tell others why stalking is important to you.

Franklin University wants to ensure the safety of its students. If any student or university employee feels unsafe on campus, please go to the security office in Fisher Hall or call 614-947-6900. 

To ensure we have resources available to those in need, Franklin has partnered with the Sexual Assault Response Network of Central Ohio (SARNCO) to provide resources to University personal. SARNCO provides advocacy and emotional support services in conjunction with medical and social services at OhioHealth Emergency Departments. SARNCO’s 24/7 hotline may be reached at 614-267-7020

Additionally, confidential reports may be made to lighthouse-services.com/franklin.

If a situation is immediately life-threatening, always call 911.

University Title IX Coordinator: Chelsea Polly – TitleIX@franklin.edu
 

National Resources
Safe Horizon Hotline 800-621-4673(HOPE)
National Center for Victims of Crime 855-484-2846
Stalking Resource Center 800-394-2255

 

 

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