January is National Stalking Awareness Month, a time to focus on a crime that affects 3.4 million victims a year. This year’s theme—Stalking: Know It. Name It. Stop It—challenges the nation to fight this dangerous crime by learning more about it.
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 reports that the stalker uses technology, such as computers, global positioning system devices, or hidden cameras, to track the victim’s daily activities.
Stalkers fit no standard psychological profile, and many stalkers follow their victims from one jurisdiction to another, making it difficult for authorities to investigate and prosecute their crimes.
Communities that understand stalking, however, can support victims and combat the crime. “If more people learn to recognize stalking,” said Paula Little, Saving Grace development director, we have a better chance to protect victims and prevent tragedies.”
Saving Grace has teamed up with various restaurants around Central Oregon to promote awareness and public education about stalking during the annual observance. Look for more information on stalking on the tables at these local restaurants:
Bend
Parrilla Grill
Mother’s Juice Cafe
Round Table Pizza
Redmond
Izzy’s Cafe
Cross Creek
Soup 2 Nuts 2 Cafe
Madras
Black Bear Diner
Geno’s Italian Grill
Mazatlan Restaurant
Prineville
Pizza Hut
Saving Grace provides confidential and free family violence and sexual assault services and promotes the value of life without violence.
Info: www.saving-grace.org or Lauren Biskind at 541-382-9227.
