January is National Stalking Awareness Month
Launched in
2004, (in conjunction with the U.S. Department of Justice and the Stalking
Resource Center), January marks the observance of National Stalking Awareness
Month.
Webster
defines stalking as: “to pursue or approach in a menacing manner”.
But for the
millions of victims it has impacted over the years, stalking is more than a
little unwanted attention; it’s a precursor to more violent activities, and
sometimes even death.
With this in
mind, our goal at Ina Mae Greene Foundation is to increase awareness of this
hideous crime; serve as a resource to those seeking answers; honor the memory
of the men and women who have died at the hands of their “fatal attractions,”
and advocate for positive change.
Knowledge is
power.
Here’s what you need to know to
protect yourself or a loved one:
·
According
to the National Violence Against Women Survey, 1 in 12 women and 1 in 45 men
have been victimized by stalking during their lifetime.
·
Stalking
often goes unreported due to fear and the misguided belief that if it is
ignored it will go away. It’s always better to be “safe than sorry.” If you are
receiving contact or uninvited visits from anyone that seems threatening, or
causes you discomfort or concern, don’t treat it lightly. Report it; it could
save your life.
·
Stalking
can exist in various forms—it can be done in person, or a perpetrator may
“follow” and intimidate his victims online.
·
Seventy-five
percent of victims are stalked by individuals they know. Many times we believe
that strangers pose the most potential harm to us, but unfortunately, this is
not always the case. Choose your associates wisely. Pay attention to any “red
flags”. Trust your “intuition”.
·
There
is no singular profile for a stalker. A stalker can be Black or White, young or
old, male or female, rich or poor, mentally unstable or genius status. Engaging
in stereotypes can sometimes cloud our judgment and make us more vulnerable.
·
If
you’re single and on the dating scene, a wise, protective measure is to have an
unlisted phone number. Also govern your personal information when communicating
online through dating services.
Throughout the month of January, there
are an array of activities, workshops, and resources you can access during
National Stalking Awareness Month to address your needs.
Here are a
few sites worth exploring:
Additionally,
you’ll find very valuable information and related materials through several
titles that we offer through IMGF.
“When you
Live in Fear”-- By Darlene Greene
“Blood
Relatives”-- By Darlene Greene
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