NIT – Stalkers, your are on the hot seat this month.
On December 31st, President Barack Obama proclaimed January 2014 as National Stalking Awareness Month. “I call upon all Americans to recognize the signs of stalking, acknowledge stalking as a serious crime, and urge those affected not to be afraid to speak out or ask for help,” the President said.
19 charges of violating no-contact order, innocent until proven guilty.
As police, prosecutors and judges continue to have their hands full enforcing no contact orders and keeping victims safe, stalking continues to be a stain on society. For example, currently, a man residing in the Cerro Gordo County Jail – Bernard Ware, charged with second offense domestic assault – was charged Friday with 19 counts of violating a no-contact order in the case. He allegedly repeatedly made calls to the victim from the inmate phone system inside pod areas of the jail.
According to statistics, 1 in 6 women and 1 in 19 men have experienced stalking victimization at some point during their lifetime in which they felt very fearful or believed that they or someone close to them would be harmed or killed.
“Although young women are disproportionately at risk, anyone can be a victim of stalking — regardless of age, sex, background, or gender identity,” the President said. “While many victims are stalked by ex-partners, sometimes the perpetrators are acquaintances or even strangers. During National Stalking Awareness Month, we extend our support to victims and renew our commitment to holding their stalkers accountable.”
Cerro Gordo County Sheriff Kevin Pals said that stalking is a difficult crime to investigate “because most victims do not report the crime. Most simply put, if the victim notices direct acts of conduct toward them that cause the victim fear, they should report it to law enforcement ASAP so an investigation can be conducted.”
According to information released by the White House, stalkers seek to intimidate their victims through repeated unwanted contact, including harassing phone calls, text messages, or emails. Cyberstalking is increasingly prevalent, with more than one quarter of stalking victims reporting being harassed through the Internet or electronically monitored. Many victims suffer from anxiety, depression, and insomnia, and some are forced to move or change jobs. Stalking all too often goes unreported, yet it also tends to escalate over time, putting victims at risk of sexual assault, physical abuse, or homicide.
President Obama called upon all Americans to recognize the signs of stalking, acknowledge stalking as a serious crime, and urge those affected not to be afraid to speak out or ask for help. Let us also resolve to support victims and survivors, and to create communities that are secure and supportive for all Americans.
“The best advice I can give is have the person that feels they are being stalked to report it to law enforcement,” Sheriff Pals said. “If that is too big of step for the person they can get help by calling Crisis Intervention Services for confidential assistance.”
According to statistics released by victimsofcrime.org:
– 2/3 of stalkers pursue their victims at least once per week, many daily, using more than one method.
– 78% of stalkers use more than one means of approach.
– Weapons are used to harm or threaten victims in 1 out of 5 cases. Almost 1/3 of stalkers have stalked before.
– Intimate partner stalkers frequently approach their targets, and
their behaviors escalate quickly.
