Domestic Violence Program
STALKING
What is Stalking?
Stalking is the willful, malicious and repeated following or harassing of another person. The victims
may live in constant fear of their stalkers -- who can include former spouses, ex-partners, or strangers.
Stalking is a serious crime in Minnesota.
Stalking victims are often forced to live in fear and terror, screening telephone calls and altering
living arrangement. Stalking is harassment and more. Stalking is a form of terrorism.
Stalking is a crime that can touch anyone, regardless of gender, race, sexual orinetation, socio-economic
status, geographic location or with whom a person associates. Stalking is not the victim's fault!
STEPS TO ENSURE YOUR SAFETY
1. Call the Police or Sheriff.
- The first thing to do when any stalking incident occurs is to call your local law enforcement
official. Explain exactly what happened and request that a report be taken to document the
incident. Get the report number and responding officer's name.
2. Stalking doesn't stop with 911 -- EMPOWER YOURSELF!
- Obtain a Restraining Order or an Order for Protection.
A restraining order requires the offender to stay away from you. However, they are not
foolproof. You Must do more to protect your safety. An Order for Protection (OFP) is a special kind of restraining order for victims of domestic
abuse.
More information on an Order For Protection
More information on a Harassment Restraining Order
- Notify family and friends who may be helpful in formulating a contingency plan. Ask them to keep
an eye out for strange occurrances. Inform a trusted neighbor and/or co-worker about the
situation.
- Maintain an unlisted phone number.
Consider adding voice-mail and/or Caller I.D. telephone services Tape record all calls.
- Make use of *57 on your touch-tone phone.
If you do not have Caller I.D., press *57 immediately after any unwanted phone calls and
listen for directions from US West who will trace the call. There is a $1 charge for this
service. (Dial 1157 on a rotary phone.)
- Contact your county attorney's office.
Many county attorneys offices have victim/witness advocates who can help you and keep
you informed about your case if changes have been made.
3. Documentation. Your help in proving incidents occur is essential!
- In a notebook, write down the details of each stalking incident. Keep track of
the dates and times of each incident, what the stalker said or did, clothing descriptions,
when police were called, report numbers and responding officer's names. Also try
to record what you were feeling at the time of the incident. All of this information
will be valuable during prosecution.
- Obtain copies of court orders, protective orders and warrants, if possible.
- When you see the stalker, try to take a photograph if it can be done without
endangering you.
- Save and date all written material that you recieve from the stalker
including cards, letters, notes and envelopes. (If possible, save in a plastic bag
to preserve fingerprints.)
- Save answering machine tapes.
Make a note of the date and time the stalker
called.
- Make a list of potential witnesses to the stalking incident.
What is Stalking?
Stalking is the willful, malicious and repeated following or harassing of another person. The victims
may live in constant fear of their stalkers -- who can include former spouses, ex-partners, or strangers.
Stalking is a serious crime in Minnesota.
Stalking victims are often forced to live in fear and terror, screening telephone calls and altering
living arrangement. Stalking is harassment and more. Stalking is a form of terrorism.
Stalking is a crime that can touch anyone, regardless of gender, race, sexual orinetation, socio-economic
status, geographic location or with whom a person associates. Stalking is not the victim's fault!
Other Resources:
Stalking Resource Center
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