State law lists stalking as a crime, but Caroline Fleming - who works with the Stalking Resource Center - says it’s not an easy crime to identify or prosecute because it’s a series of events that instill fear like repeated phone calls or texts, vandalism, animal abuse, unwanted gifts and “surprise” visits.
She says education is important because stalking is a significant risk factor for future serious injury or death.
Fleming says the crime has become more complicated because of technological advances in computers, spyware, G-P-S devices and hidden cameras.
The Stalking Resource Center reports that one in six women, and one in 19 men, have been a stalking victim at some point in their lives – and that stalking is linked to missed work time, anxiety and depression in victims.
