UCO Violence Prevention Project
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STALKING


What is Stalking?
Stalking is unwanted pursuit. Most victims are stalked by current or former intimate partners such as dating partners, spouses, or cohabiting partners.*  What was viewed initially as positive, romantic attention, may turn into the repeated unwanted attention, harassment, and conduct that characterizes stalking.
* But it's important to remember that a stalker can be someone you do not know at all.

The Law
Stalking is a crime under Oklahoma State Law (Title 21-Section 1173).  According to law, a stalker can be legally defined as "any person who willfully, maliciously, and repeatedly follows or harasses another person with the intent to cause that person reasonable fear for their safety, or the safety of their immediate family."
Behaviors Stalkers Exhibit:

  • Show up wherever you are
  • Follow you
  • Repeatedly call you, including hang-ups
  • Drive by or hang out at your home, school, or work
  • Send unwanted gifts, letters, cards, or e-mails
  • Monitor your phone calls or computer use
  • Use technology (e.g., hidden cameras, spyware, or GPS systems) to track you
  • Find out about you by using public records or on-line search services
  • Hire investigators, go through your garbage, or contact friends, family, neighbors, or co-workers to gain information about you
  • Threaten to hurt you, your family, friends, and/or pets
  • Damage your home, car, or other property
  • Any other actions that control, track, or frighten you

Security Measures You Can Share with Your Friend

Stalking is unpredictable and dangerous, but you can increase your safety by taking the following steps:

  • Trust your instincts. Don't downplay the danger. If you feel unsafe, you probably are.
  • Seek support by telling family, friends, roommates, RA's, professors, and co-workers. Ask them to help watch out for your safety and not to give out your information.
  • Consult with the VPP office (who can serve as your victim advocate on campus and in the community) to talk about your options.
  • Change your email address, screen names, and phone numbers; be selective about giving these to others. Change passwords and clear your computer of all spyware.
  • Use an unlisted phone number.
  • Decide in advance what to do if the stalker shows up at your home, work, or school.
  • Don't communicate with the stalker or respond to attempts to contact you.
  • Change your locks, and install deadbolts or security systems, and make sure all your windows and doors have working locks.
  • Contact the police. Oklahoma has stalking laws, and the stalker may also have broken other laws if they assault you or steal or destroy your property.
  • Consider getting a court order that requires the stalker to stay away from you.

Urge your friend to keep a record by documenting stalking activity, so that law enforcement can build a strong case. Encourage your friend to write down everything that happens, including dates, times, locations, and any exact words recalled. Your friend should also keep voice mails, emails, notes, gifts, and any objects or writings that are received. Also your friend may want to print chat room scripts or web-pages. In logging these incidents, your friend should also note their emotional reaction to each incident.
The VPP office is here to assist you and/or your friend in finding resources or information that is needed regarding this issue. Please call the Project Coordinator for more information or to schedule an appointment at 405-974-2224.