National Stalking Awareness Month

January is National Stalking Awareness Month, an annual call to action to recognize and respond to the serious crime of stalking so you can learn to help yourself or a friend. NSAM’s theme for 2020 — Stalking: Know It. Name It. Stop It. – is a call to action for everyone in Pacific’s community and across the country.

Know It
It is critical to raise the issue of stalking as its own form of gender-based violence as well as a crime that frequently predicts and co-occurs with physical, emotional, and sexual abuse assault. Stalking impacts over 1 in 6 women and 1 in 17 men in the United States and 1 in 6 transgender individuals. Yet, despite the prevalence and impacts, many victims and criminal justice professionals underestimate its danger and urgency.

Name It
Stalking is defined as a pattern of behavior directed at a specific person that causes fear. Many stalking victims experience being followed, approached, monitored and/or threatened – including through various forms of technology and social media. Victims and survivors often suffer anxiety, social dysfunction, and severe depression as a result of their victimization, and many lose time from work and/or move. Stalking is a terrifying and psychologically harmful crime in its own right as well as a predictor of potentially lethal violence.

Stop It
If you or someone you know is worried about stalking there are supportive, confidential resources available to help. The Confidential Advocacy Network is Pacific’s on campus resource. Advocates can help you process your experience, connect you to resources and explain your options for reporting. To meet with a confidential campus advocate fill out the advocacy request form. Someone will get back to you within 24 hours to set up a meeting. You can also contact someone from the Confidential Advocacy Network directly.

The Sexual Assault Resource Center (SARC) is Pacific’s off campus community partner. SARC’s 24-hour advocates can come to campus and meet you in person, or talk with you on the phone. SARC has an array of follow up services designed to be confidential, free, and provide individualized support based on your concerns and needs. If you need immediate assistance, contact SARC’s 24-hour hotline: 503-640-5311.

Other resources include:
Counseling Center (SCC) 503-352-2191
Campus Public Safety: 503-352-2230
Police: Forest Grove Police Department  503-629-0111 (non-emergency) or 911
Hillsboro Police Department 503-629-0111 (non-emergency) or 911
Eugene Police Department 464 Highway 99 N, Eugene, OR  (541) 682-5757Student

Want to be part of a focus group on how to best prevent & respond to interpersonal violence? For more information visit Pacific’s Center for Gender Equity or contact the Center’s Director, Kathleen Converse at kathleenconverse@pacificu.edu.