The Victim of Stalking

Facts about stalking

• Stalking is repeated following or harassment of an individual that is designed to instill a sense of fear or danger.
• Stalkers often have an irrational obsession with the victim and try to gain power and omnipotence through control and intimidation.
• Stalking behavior includes tailing the victim: harassment via phone, email, fax, and letters; unwanted gifts; an unwanted attentiveness.
• Stalkers can be male or female and targets can be of the same or opposite sex.

What You Can Do:

• Encourage the victimized student to trust his/her instincts.
• Advise the student to contact the University Security (585) 275-3333
• Advise the student to document unwanted contacts and maintain evidence of harassment.
• Advise the student to take precautions to ensure safety, including a change in routine travel routes and schedules, and making use of campus escorts when possible.
• If you feel overwhelmed or unprepared to help a victim of stalking, call the Dean of Students Office (585) 275-2757 who will maintain your confidentiality and arrange a meeting with that student.

Don’t:

• Ignore or minimize the situation.
• Suggest that the victim is responsible for the unwanted attention.
• Take responsibility for protecting the student.
• Fail to alert the proper authorities.

Guide Table of Content

• Typical Concerns for UR Students
• What You Should Know About Student Problems
• Symptoms of Distressed or Distressing Students
• Responding to Distressed or Distressing Students
• Making a Referral to the UR Counseling Center
• Responding to Student Emergencies
• The UR Counseling Center
• Information About Confidentiality
• Mandated Risk Assessment
• Other Campus Referral Sources
• Academic Faculty: Classroom Climate and Prevention
• Responding After a Tragedy: An In-The-Classroom Guide

Addendum

• The Grieving Student
• The Anxious/Shy Student
• The Student Who May Have an Eating Disorder
• The Demanding Student
• The Dependent/Passive Student
• The Depressed Student
• The Student in Poor Contact with Reality
• The Student Suspected of Substance Abuse or Addiction
• The Victim of Stalking
• The Victim of an Abusive Dating Relationship
• The Victim of a Hate Incident
• The Victim of Hazing
• The Student Who Has Been Sexually Harassed (Assaulted)
• The Suicidal Student
• The Suspicious Student
• The Verbally Aggressive Student
• The Violent Student
• The Absent/Disappeared From Class Student
• Responding to Students with Transition Issues
• Responding to the Student with Choice of Major or Career Concerns