Stalking is a course of conduct directed at a specific person that would cause a reasonable person to fear for their safety or suffer substantial emotional distress. Stalkers have an emotional obsession with the victim and tend to hold a selfish perception of the relationship. Through stalking, they empower themselves to feel omnipotent and in control of the relationship while creating a state of vulnerability in the other person. Stalking behavior includes following the victim to class, the theater, the grocery store, home, etc.; repeated harassing attempts to communicate via phone, email, text message, letters, etc.; giving unwanted gifts; vandalizing the victim’s property; and paying unwanted attention to the victim. Stalkers can be male or female, and their targets can be members of the same or opposite sex.
If you become aware of a student who is feeling unsafe around another person and believes they are being stalked: