Learn Safety Tips During Stalking Awareness Month

Jan. 3, 2023

Stalking is a set or series of monitoring behaviors directed toward someone specific that causes fear, distress or danger for the victim. This behavior is serious and can incorporate violence and escalation across time. January is Stalking Awareness Month. Find information and resources to keep yourself and other safe on the Dallas College website.

According to the Stalking Prevention, Awareness, and Resource Center (SPARC), 6%-39% of college students report being stalked since starting college. Specific populations are at a higher risk of encountering stalking: women, people of color, LGBTQIA+, younger students and students with disabilities. Most victims will be stalked by someone they already know. Most commonly, people exhibiting stalking behavior are former intimate partners, but can also be general acquaintances, friends, classmates and current intimate partners. SPARC reports that the most common stalking behaviors are unwanted calls and text messages, followed by unwanted social media or technology-based outreaches, followed by unwanted presence or following at places where a person exhibiting stalking behavior was not invited or wanted.  

Stalking is a crime in all 50 states, as well as the District of Columbia and U.S. territories. Stalking comprises behaviors that cause fear and distress in its victims and includes anything meant to control, track, scare or intimidate, such as:  

• Repeated calls/hang-ups or texts   
• Following  
• Unwanted gifts  
• Tracking via technology  
• Showing up at home, school or work  
• Destroying property 
• Spreading rumors or information  
• Revenge pornography or threats of such  
• Harassing a victim’s social, work or family circles  
• Finding and collecting personal information about a victim via online presence or even through discarded items 
• Hacking into personal online accounts  
• Impersonating a victim online 
• Threats of violence toward a victim or their friends, coworkers, loved ones or pets.  

This list of examples is not exhaustive. 

Stalking has impacts beyond the distress and fear to the victims. It may cause academic difficulties, missed tests, assignments and exams, leaving or avoiding extracurricular activities or social gatherings, dropping courses, even withdrawing from school and having to change living environments. These impacts are significant and directly challenge a student’s ability to be successful in school.  

As we embark upon this month, know that there are resources available to assist you, a friend, a family member or a classmate should they encounter stalking behavior.  

• The National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-SAFE (7233) or 800-787-3224 (TTY)  
• The National Dating Abuse Helpline at 866-331-9474 
• The  Victim Connect Resource Center online, by calling/texting 1-855-484-2846, or through online chat. 
• National Center for Victims of Crime 
• Free legal assistance is available to victims of stalking and intimate partner violence at the Texas Advocacy Project Hope Line: 800-374-HOPE (4673) or at the Texas Advocacy Project. 
• The  Crime Victims’ Compensation Program for assistance from the Texas Attorney General’s office. 
• Additional resources are available through the College Alliance Against Sexual Assault.

 Dallas College students, employees and campus visitors are encouraged to report incidents of stalking or intimate partner violence on campus to Dallas College Police. You can call 911 from a campus phone or call the campus police dispatch at 972-860-4290 using a mobile phone or noncampus phone. Remember that calling 911 from your mobile phone will contact the local police, and not necessarily campus police, who can reach you sooner. Be prepared to provide your location, such as a room number and building. Dallas College Police can escort you to your car while on campus.  

You can also contact Dallas College Police using the Dallas College Safety app. It allows you to receive emergency messages and to call or text Dallas College Police. You can connect for extra safety with Police Virtual Walk, report a crime tip or have emergency procedures at hand in the app.

Consider programming the campus police dispatch number into your cell phone so you’ll have it ready if an emergency arises on campus. 

Additionally, report incidents of sexual harassment, sexual assault, stalking, dating violence or domestic violence (collectively, “sexual misconduct”) involving a Dallas College student or employee to the Title IX Team:

Dial: 972-860-3980 (voicemail available 24/7)

Email: TitleIX@DallasCollege.edu (available 24/7)

Visit: DallasCollege.edu/titleixreport

Professional counselors are available on Dallas College campuses for confidential mental health counseling sessions. The Counseling and Psychological Services team is available for currently enrolled students aged 18 or older in need of confidential, mental health counseling services.

Counseling appointments are available both virtually and on campus. Learn more about CAPS services or email Counseling@DallasCollege.edu to request an appointment. 

This material was written by a Dallas College licensed counselor. All views expressed in this piece are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Dallas College.

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