Supporting Survivors of Stalking
Stalking is often forgotten about in conversations of IPV and other crimes, and resources for survivors of stalking can be more difficult for survivors to locate. Also, it can be easy to brush off an instance of stalking as “no big deal” because stalking behaviors can appear so small until they’re added up. As advocates, we must maintain our awareness of the severe impact stalking can have for survivors and find the right tools to support survivors of stalking.
That’s why, in this month’s compilation, we collected resources and trainings that talk about stalking victimization. These resources offer tangible tools that advocates can use with survivors as well as resources that advocates can use to expand their own knowledge base. As always, please don’t hesitate to contact us if you’re looking for more!
Resources for Supporting Survivors
Safety Planning Strategies
May 2022
SPARC
This short safety planning guide provides suggestions to consider in different stalking situations (i.e. at work or school, home, online). They provide resources on who someone can reach out to for help and provide some other considerations.
Stalking Documentation Logs and Victim Handbooks
SPARC
This straight-forward documentation log allow individuals to keep track of stalking incidents in order to create a paper trail of evidence. The handbook provides an overview of stalking, including what it can look like, risk factors, tactics, safety planning tips, and more.
These resources are available in English, Spanish, Arabic, Burmese, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Tagalog, and Vietnamese.
Michigan Restraining Orders
Current as of March 2024
Womens Law at NNEDV
This website offers state-specific information about restraining orders, including those for stalking situations, moving between states, and how to have an out-of-state order recognized in Michigan.
“A non-domestic stalking personal protection order (PPO) can be issued based on stalking, aggravated stalking, or cyberstalking, as defined below, even if it’s never reported to the police. (If you have one of the domestic relationships, you would file for a domestic relationship PPO instead.)”
Resources for Advocate Education
Stalking Survivors Speak: What Survivors Want You to Know to Enhance Your Response to Stalking
January 2024
SPARC
“Stalking survivors are the experts on what it’s like to be stalked — and what responders can do to help. This webinar features a panel of stalking survivors and activists who will discuss their own experiences. They will reflect on what was helpful, challenges they encountered, and how victim service providers and criminal justice responders can better enhance stalking victim safety.”
e-Learning Courses on Stalking Victimization
SPARC
“These courses provide critical foundational information on identifying and responding to stalking victimization. They are intended as learning opportunities to educate responders and others on stalking’s definition and dynamics.”
Beyond Intimate Partner Stalking: Acquaintance, Stranger, and Family Offenders
October 2024
SPARC
“About half of stalking cases are perpetrated by current or former intimate partners – which means half are not… This webinar explores the prevalence and dynamics of non-intimate partner stalkers, including strategies to assess risk and plan for victim safety.”
Stalking: A qualifying crime for a U-Visa
March 2016
Esperanza United
“The webinar will give an overview of the U visa and will provide advocates with tools and knowledge on the crime of stalking. This will aid in the identification of the crime and will provide strategies to prove the “substantial physical or emotional abuse” requirement for the U visa.”
Why Male Stalking Victims Do Not Report
April 2021
Psychology Today
This short article explains that though women experience stalking more frequently than men, men report less often, and are victimized longer before reporting, than their female counterparts.
“Totally Stalking You”: How Stalking is Normalized and How We Can Stop It
January 2024
SPARC
“Through media examples, this webinar explores different ways that stalking is misconstrued and normalized, examines the impacts of this normalization, and offers suggestions for how to combat this misinformation.”