Stalking Awareness

What is Stalking?

Stalking is a pattern of repeated and unwanted attention, harassment, contact, or any other course of conduct directed at a specific person that would cause a reasonable person to feel fear. (USDOJ)

Student Conduct Policy

Individuals that commit stalking are in violation of the following student conduct policy: 

• Stalking: repeated conduct toward another person including (but not limited to) willfully following and/or contacting someone verbally, in writing, by telephone, electronic media, a third party, or by another means with the intent and/or effect of creating fear or emotional distress. (The Source, IUP Student Policy Guide)

Know the Facts

According to the Stalking Resource Center:

• 6.6 million people are stalked in one year in the United States
• 1 in 6 women and 1 in 19 men have experienced stalking at some point in their lifetime
• The majority of stalking victims are stalked by someone they know

Stalking Behaviors

Most stalking behaviors do not classify as an illegal behavior. If an individual exhibits the following behaviors, you express that this attention is unwanted, and it causes you reasonable fear, it may classify as stalking. This list is provided by the Stalking Resource Center.

• Follow you and show up wherever you are
• Send unwanted gifts, letters, cards, or emails
• Damage your home, car or other property
• Monitor your phone calls or computer sue
• Use technology to track where you go
• Drive by or hang out at your home, class, or work
• Threaten to hurt you, your family, friends, or pets
• Find out about your using public records or online searches
• Posting information or spreading rumors about you on the internet, in a public place, or by word of mouth
• Other actions that control, track, or frighten you

If someone is exhibiting stalking behaviors and making you feel uncomfortable, help is available. Contact the IUP Counseling Center, the IUP Haven Project, or the Alice Paul House. If you as if you are unsafe or in immediate danger, contact 9-1-1.  

Click here for Campus and Community Resources.