Stalking

Michigan state law defines stalking as a “willful course of conduct involving repeated or continuing harassment of another individual that would cause a reasonable person to feel terrorized, frightened, intimidated, threatened and/or harassed.” In other words, stalking is any unwanted contact between a stalker and their target that directly or indirectly communicates a threat or places the victim in fear.

Stalking can take many forms, including but not limited to:

• Making repeated and unwanted contacts by phone, text, email or social media
• Following a person or showing up unexpectedly at their home or place of work
• Damaging a person’s home, car or other property
• Leaving unwanted gifts or other items
• Making other non-consensual attempts to contact someone
• Exhibiting behaviors that harass or threaten a person

If you are being stalked (or think you might be), report it immediately to the U-M Police Department (UMPD) at (734) 763-1131. Stalking is unpredictable and dangerous, and it can escalate into even more aggressive actions. The police may need to intervene to stop this behavior.

You can take a proactive approach to your safety by following these steps:

• Trust your instincts. If you feel unsafe, you probably are.
• Take threats seriously. Danger is usually higher when a victim tries to leave or end the relationship, or when the stalker talks about suicide or murder.
• Establish your boundaries. Tell or write to your stalker that you do not want contact.
• Let others know about the stalking behavior: friends, family, classmates, teachers, neighbors or co-workers. Share both photos and a description of the stalker and their vehicle.
• Keep any evidence (screenshots, voicemails, text messages, etc.) and document all contact from your stalker, but do not respond. Record the date, time, location and details of what happened.
• Find a safe place to go in an emergency, such as a police station, a public area or a friend’s house. It is generally not a good idea to go home if you’re being followed.
• Don’t travel alone. Bring a friend with you if you like to walk, jog or run.
• Do not meet, respond to or contact your stalker.
• Consider contacting UMPD to obtain a Personal Protection Order that tells the stalker to stay away from you. UMPD can also assist with other safety planning measures.
• Be mindful of where your personal information may be publicly available online. Consider removing or shielding your private information on social media sites and the U-M online directory.

For more tips on developing a safety plan, read “Stalking Safety Planning.” This resource is courtesy of the Stalking Resource Center, The National Center for Victims of Crime program.

The university has developed a special guide, Our Community Matters, to help you make decisions about what to do when stalking occurs.

In addition to UMPD, there are many resources on and off campus that can help victims of stalking:

• U-M Sexual Assault Prevention and Awareness Center (SAPAC)
• SafeHouse Center
• Counseling and Psychological Services for Students (CAPS)
• Faculty and Staff Assistance Program (FASAP)
• UMHS Employee Assistance Program (EAP)