Stalking information for victims
What is Stalking? In Maryland, stalking is a crime and is legally defined as a malicious pattern of approaching or pursuing someone in order to make the person feel afraid that they or someone else will suffer serious bodily injury, assault, rape or sexual offense, false imprisonment or death, or the stalker intends to cause, knows, or should know that such conduct will cause serious emotional distress to another person. Criminal Law §3-802 .
Services for sexual assault survivors are still available during this next phase of the COVID-19 pandemic. Local rape crisis centers, MCASA, and MNADV are open - we are here for you.
Who is a Stalker? A stalker can be an intimate partner, friend, coworker, neighbor, acquaintance, or stranger.
RAPE CRISIS and DOMESTIC VIOLENCE PROGRAMS
Frederick Heartly House 301-662-8800 Garrett Dove Center 301-334-9000 toll-free: 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) Harford Sexual Assault/Spouse Abuse Resource Center (SARC) 410-836-8430 Howard HopeWorks 410-997-2272 toll-free: 1-800-752-0191 Montgomery Abused Persons Program 240-777-4210 Victim Assistance and Sexual Assault Program (VASAP) Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Center at UM Capital Region Medical Center 240-677-2337 Community Crisis Services 301-731-1203 St. Mary’s Southern Maryland Center for Family Advocacy 240-925-0084 Somerset, Wicomico, Worcester Life Crisis Center 410-749-HELP (4357) Washington CASA, Inc. 301-739-8975 240-777-4357 Prince George’s
Allegany Family Crisis Resource Center
301-759-9244 Anne Arundel YWCA
410-222-6800 Baltimore City House of Ruth Maryland 410-889-7884 TurnAround, Inc. 443-279-0379 Baltimore County Springboard Community Services 410-828-6390 Family Crisis Center of Baltimore County 410-828-6390 TurnAround, Inc. 443-279-0379 Calvert Calvert Center for Change 1-877-467-5628 Caroline, Dorchester, Kent, Queen Anne’s, Talbot For All Seasons, Inc. 410-820-5600 toll-free: 1-800-310-7273 Mid-Shore Council on Family Violence 1-800-927-4673 Carroll Springboard Community Services 443-865-8031 Rape Crisis Intervention Service 410-857-7322 Cecil The Bridge 410-996-0333 Charles Center for Abused Persons 301-645-3336
43.4 % of female victims 32.4% of male victims }
Options for Safety When You Are Being Stalked
are stalked by an intimate partner
Stalking is not normal behavior. It is never your fault.
The most commonly experienced stalking tactic was the leaving of repeated unwanted telephone calls, voicemails, or text messages.
A stalker may engage in any of the following behaviors: Watching, following, approaching or assaulting you at home, work, or in a public place Making threatening calls, hang-ups, or sending threatening texts Sending hate mail, e-mail, or social media messages
(NIPSVS: 2016/17 Summary Report)
Effects of Stalking Being stalked can cause extreme emotional and physical stress reactions. You may experience: • Intense feelings of fear or anger • Increased anger or irritability • Decreased energy level or exhaustion • Indecision or difficulty concentrating • Withdrawal from family, friends or activities • Major changes in sleeping or eating patterns • Frequent sadness or crying • Feelings of powerlessness or depression You are not alone. Help is available. Contact your local rape crisis or domestic violence program, listed on this brochure, for more information and support.
Using social media websites to track or harass
Repeatedly sending unwanted love notes or gifts Breaking into or vandalizing your property or going through your garbage Using surveillance such as a private detective, cameras, or tapping your phone Using tracking devices to track another’s physical location without the person’s knowledge or consent Installing spyware or GPS tracking software on your computer or cell phone Contacting your friends or family to gain information or spread rumors about you
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES (M-F, 9 AM -5 PM ) Adelante Familia at House of Ruth Maryland (Hispanic/Latino) 410-889-7884, oprima 8 CHANA (Jewish) 410-234-0030 SPECIALIZED DOMESTIC VIOLENCE HOTLINES
Maryland Coalition Against Sexual Assault (MCASA)
Maryland Network Against Domestic Violence (MNADV) www.mnadv.org 1-800-MDHELPS (634-3577)
www.mcasa.org 301-328-7023
Preparation of this document was supported by grant number 2009-ES-S6-0005, awarded by the Office on Violence Against Women, U.S. Department of Justice. Reprinting of this document was supported by the Center for Disease Conrol under grant number #PHPA-2216. awarded by the Center for Injury and Sexual Assault Prevention, Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. The opinions, findings, and conclusions expressed in this document are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice or the Center for Disease Control. 5/2023
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