Know More, Do More: Recognizing and Responding to Stalking Among Victims with Disabilities SPARC: Stalking Prevention, Awareness, and Resource Center OVW Funding This project was supported by Grant No. 15JOVW-22-GK-03986-MUMU awarded by the Office on Violence Against Women, U.S. Department of Justice. The opinions, findings, conclusions, and recommendations expressed in this program are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Department of Justice, Office on Violence Against Women. SPARC Website URL: www.StalkingAwareness.org Available resources include: Practitioner guides Training modules Victim resources Webinar recordings Sign up for our newsletter Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter @FollowUsLegally What is Stalking? You may think… You may think of stranger danger. You may think it only happens to celebrities. You may think of romance. Or maybe that it’s not that big of a deal. Stalking Is: Criminal Traumatic Dangerous Stalking is Criminal Federal level All 50 states, D.C., and U.S. Territories Tribal codes Uniform Code of Military Justice Stalking is Traumatic Many stalking victims: Experience mental health issues Lose time from work: 1 in 8 employed stalking victims lose time from work Relocate: 1 in 7 stalking victims move References:
Baum, K., Catalano, S., Rand, M. (2009). Stalking Victimization in the United States. Washington, DC: Bureau of Justice Statistics. 
Blaauw, E., Arensman, E., Winkel, F.W., Freeve, A., & Sheridan, L. (2002). The Toll of Stalking. Journal of Interpersonal Violence 17(1): 50-63. Stalking is Dangerous Stalking often co-occurs with physical assault and sexual violence, including rape. 20% of stalkers use weapons to threaten or harm victims. 76% of intimate partner femicides included stalking in the year prior.
References:
McFarlane, J., Campbell, J.C., Wilt, S., Ulrich, Y., & Xu, X. (1999.) Stalking and Intimate Partner Femicide. Homicide Studies 3 (4), 300-316.
Mohandie, K., Meloy, J.R., McGowan, M.G., & Williams, J. (2006). The RECON Typology of Stalking: Reliability and Validity Based upon a Large Sample of North American Stalkers. Journal of Forensic Sciences, 51 (1), 147-155. Victim Quote “It’s not easy to describe the fear you have when you see the stalker, or signs of the stalker, everywhere you go. I have given up all hopes of ever having a safe life. For the rest of my life, I will be looking over my shoulder, expecting to see him there.” Defining Stalking Legal/Statutory Behavioral Stalking Definition: Behavioral Stalking is a pattern of behavior directed at a specific person that would cause a reasonable person to feel fear for the person’s safety or the safety of others; or suffer substantial emotional distress. A pattern of behavior… Not a single incident or “one off” event Called a “course of conduct” in most statutes …directed at a specific person… …that would cause a reasonable person to: Feel fear for the person’s safety or the safety of others; Or suffer substantial emotional distress. Discuss: Is this stalking? A student peeks into the women’s locker room to watch the women undress. An ex-partner repeatedly spreads vicious rumors about their former partner on social media. A supervisor regularly asks her employee personal questions, mocks him in meetings, sends e-mails at odd hours and is verbally abusive when he doesn’t respond right away. Stalking Prevalence Nearly 1 in 3 women experience stalking in their lifetime Nearly 1 in 6 men experience stalking in their lifetime Reference: 
Smith, S.G., & Kresnow, M. (2022). The National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey (NISVS): 2016/2017 Report on Stalking. Atlanta, GA: National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Stalking Duration Among all stalking victims: 18% - less than 1 month 44% - 1 month to less than 1 year 13% - 1 year to less than 2 years 24% - 2 years or more 2% - unknown Reference: 
Truman, J.L., & Morgan, R.E. (2022). Stalking Victimization, 2019. Washington, DC: US DOJ, Bureau of Justice Statistics, Special Report Pattern of Behavior 2 out of 3 of stalkers pursue their victim at least once per week 3 out of 4 of stalkers use more than one means of approach Reference: 
Mohandie, K., Meloy, J.R., McGowan, M.G., & Williams, J. (2006). The RECON Typology of Stalking: Reliability and Validity Based upon a Large Sample of North American Stalkers. Journal of Forensic Sciences, 51 (1), 147-155. Victim and Offender Relationships Current/Former Intimate Partner: 43% Female Victims, 32% Male Victims Acquaintance: 41% Female Victims, 44% Male Victims Person of Authority: 4% Female Victims, 3% Male Victims Family Member: 9% Female Victims, 6% Male Victims Stranger: 19% Female Victims, 20% Male Victims Brief Encounter: 8% Female Victims, 9% Male Victims Data Divergence In situations when a person experiences stalking Only some of those report stalking Only some of those result in stalking charges Perceptions Affect Reporting Research suggests that victims rely on notions of what a “real” or “legitimate” crime looks like, and these perceptions may impact reporting decisions Reference:
Reynes, B.W., & Englebrecht, C.M. (2012). The Fear Factor: Exploring Predictors of Fear Among Stalking Victims Throughout the Stalking Encounter. Crime & Delinquency 59(5): 788-808. DOI: 10.1177/0011128712461123 The majority of stalking victims do not report or seek services.
 Listen for Stalking “I know it sounds crazy, but…” How do Victims Cope? Move inward Move away Move towards Move against Move outward Reference:
Spitzberg, B.H. & Cupach, W. (2007) The State of the Art of Stalking: Taking Stock of the Emerging Literature. Aggression and Violent Behavior 12(1): 64-86. Victim Blaming Victims of stalking, intimate partner violence, and/or sexual violence experience similar types of victim blaming Considerations for Victims of Stalking With Disabilities Misconceptions Hinder Support Stalking victims with disabilities face unique hurdles and are often dismissed because authorities believe: The victim is misunderstanding the situation The victim is uncooperative The victim is poorly recalling the situation The victim is misinterpreting the situation The victim is changing their story Increased Risk for Victimization Stalkers may target individuals with disabilities because of a belief that they are less likely to resist, report, or be taken seriously if they do report. Individuals with disabilities may have less access to social and emotional support and may not recognize that the stalking they experience is problematic. Individuals with disabilities may have less access to resources, law enforcement response, and support. What are other ways or reasons an individual with disabilities has an increased risk for victimization? Other Risks to Consider: Social control from external entities More predictable patterns in their lives Online presence for social connections can lead to cyberstalking How Do We Identify Stalking? SLII Framework Surveillance Life invasion Interference Intimidation (through sabotage or attack) Reference: 
Logan, TK & Walker, R. (2017). Stalking: A Multidimensional Framework for Assessment and Safety Planning. Trauma, Violence & Abuse 18(2): 200-222. SLII Framework: Surveillance Surveillance Follow Watch Wait Show up Tracking software Obtain info about victim Proxy stalking SLII Framework: Life Invasion Unwanted contact, often across locations and platforms Showing up Phone calls Property invasion Public humiliation Harassing family/friends SLII Framework: Intimidation Threats Property damage Symbolic violence Forced confrontations Threatened or actual harm to self Threats to harm others SLII Framework: Interference Financial and work sabotage Ruining reputation Custody interference Keeping from leaving Road rage Attacks on family/friends/pets Physical/sexual attack Screening for Stalking 1 Has the offender: Been tracking, following, or monitoring the Victim in any way? Repeatedly invaded the Victim’s life or privacy by initiating unwanted contact with the Victim? Significantly and directly interfered with the Victim’s life? More than one time, intimidated or scared the Victim through threats, property damage, threatening or actual harming of pets, or other means? Reference: 
Logan, TK & Walker, R. (2017). Stalking: A Multidimensional Framework for Assessment and Safety Planning. Trauma, Violence & Abuse 18(2): 200-222. Screening for Stalking 2 If YES to any of the previous questions: Did these actions make the Victim afraid or concerned for their safety or the safety of their children, family, and/or coworkers? Did the Victim make significant life changes for safety reasons because of these actions? (change day-to-day routines, spend money on home safety, took time off work?) Did these actions make the Victim afraid or concerned about significant financial or social impact? (loss of job, loss of housing, financial harm?) Not at all? Somewhat? Extremely? Reference: Logan, TK & Walker, R. (2017). Stalking: A Multidimensional Framework for Assessment and Safety Planning. Trauma, Violence & Abuse 18(2): 200-222. Excerpt from Police Report (1 of 2) “[Victim] advised on today’s date at approximately 0800 hours when she got into her car to head to work, her doors were locked and on the driver’s seat was a Corona beer bottle cap.” She called the police because of a beer cap? Context is Critical in Stalking Cases Context Considerations Something may be frightening to the victim but not to you Stalking behaviors often have specific meanings Stalking criminalizes otherwise non-criminal behavior Excerpt from Police Report (2 of 2) “[Victim] advised on today’s date at approximately 0800 hours when she got into her car to head to work, her doors were locked and on the driver’s seat was a Corona beer bottle cap.” “[Victim] shared yesterday she celebrated her two-year anniversary of being sober and she had received messages from people in her AA group congratulating her on her two-year sobriety. She believes that [suspect] placed the beer cap in her car to mess with her emotionally as seeing anything related to alcohol is a trigger to her. She believes that [suspect] is monitoring her messages as that is the only way [suspect] would know about the anniversary.” Reasonable Fear: Evidence Describe victim statements of fear Describe any accommodation made for safety Document evidence of accommodations and/or safety measures taken: Time spent obtaining protection order, relocation, efforts to keep address or location secret Responding to Victims and Safety Planning Describe, Document, Contextualize Describe the big picture, beyond individual incidents Document victim fear and harm Contextualize the threats. Why this victim? Why this time? Stalking Incident and Behavior Log Date and Time Description of Incident Location of Incident (physical location, technology used, online platform) Witness Name(s) (attached address and phone number) Evidence Attached? (photos, videos, screenshots, items, etc.) Report Made to (name, office/org, badge or identification number) Information from Assistive Technology Advise Disengagement Recommend no contact with the stalker Explain intermittent reinforcement BUT realize victims engage in behaviors to keep themselves safe: Maintain contact, negotiation, minimizing threat Contact may be a safety strategy Possibility of Escalation “…the victim’s attempts to distance themselves from their stalker actually frustrate or anger the stalker, leading to an increase in the physical threat to their lives.” Reference: Quinn-Evans, L., Keatley, D.A., Arntfield, M., & Sheridan, L. (2019). A Behavior Sequence Analysis of Victims’ Accounts of Stalking Behaviors. Journal of Interpersonal Violence 00(0): 1-19. What is Safety Planning? An individualized plan that identifies specific strategies and interventions that may increase safety. Provides practical ways to decrease risk Puts victims in contact with a variety of services, agencies, and individuals who can help Focuses on physical AND emotional well-being Effective Safety Planning Flexible Works for survivor Responsive to offender behavior Comprehensive Consider all aspects of victim’s life Contextual What has happened, is happening, and might happen? Lena
42-year-old woman with low vision Lena’s neighbor, Paul, has been offering to “help” Lena, even when she doesn’t need it. His offers are persistent, and he will not take “No” for an answer. Paul starts leaving notes for Lena and making comments about her whereabouts and personal habits that make Lena uncomfortable. Lena is unsure how to handle the situation. She doesn’t always see him approaching. Her limited ability to detect social cues also makes it harder for her to recognize when Paul’s behavior is crossing a line. Lena
42-year-old woman with low vision (2) How does Lena’s disability impact her experience? What support would you offer Lena? What else do you want to know about Lena’s situation? What community or social resource could help Lena? What stalking behaviors are present? Recommendations and Resources Policies and Procedures Does your agency have a stalking policy? How are non-intimate partner cases identified? What training exists for your agency and community partners? What resources are available- call logs, incident report models Property crimes vs. crimes against persons Report reviews to screen for stalking Consider the intersection of policies: Service animals, Mandatory reporting, Working with a guardian Stalking Coordinated Community Response Victim Services Court Education Community-Specific Resources Culturally Relevant Services Law Enforcement Medical Services Disability Organizations SPARC URL: www.StalkingAwareness.org Available resources include: Practitioner guides Training modules Victim resources Webinar recordings Sign up for our newsletter Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter @FollowUsLegally Contact Information Natalie Ivey, J.D. Training and Criminal Justice Specialist 202-815-8371 NIvey@StalkingAwareness.org www.StalkingAwareness.org @FollowUsLegally