What to do if you are being stalked...

Stalking is unpredictable and dangerous. No two stalking situations are alike. There are no guarantees that what works for one person will work for another, yet you can take steps to increase your safety.

Some Tips to Increase Safety

If you are in IMMEDIATE DANGER, call 911

Trust your INSTICTS. Don’t downplay the danger. If you feel you are unsafe, you probably are.

Take THREATS seriously. Danger generally is higher when the stalker talks about harming themselves or someone else, or when a victim/survivor tries to leave or end a relationship

Contact SHARPP. SHARPP is the campus crisis center. We can assist in helping you devise a personal safety plan, provide you with information about local laws and University policies, and provide support and advocacy.

Develop a SAFETY PLAN. Include things like changing your routine, arranging a place to stay, and having a friend go places with you. Also, decide in advance what to do if the stalker shows up at your apartment/residence hall, classroom, work, or somewhere else. Let your friends know how they can help you.

Don’t COMMUNICATE with the stalker or respond to their attempts to contact you. Communicating with them will only encourage them to continue.

Tell FAMILY, FRIENDS, and OTHERS YOU TRUST about the stalking and seek their support.

Keep EVIDENCE of the stalking. When the stalker follows you or contacts you, keep a log of the time, date, place and other details you may find of importance. Keep all e-mails, phone messages, letters, notes or Facebook messages. Photograph anything of yours the stalker damages and any injuries they may cause. Ask witnesses to also write down what they saw. Keeping this information is very helpful if you decide to get a protective order.

Contact the UNH POLICE. The University Police can assist you with understanding and taking action if the stalker has broken the law. Remember, every state has stalking laws, including New Hampshire. If you don’t want to contact the Police alone, consider contacting SHARPP for assistance.

Consider getting a COURT ORDER/PROTECTIVE ORDER that tells the stalker to stay away from you. If you aren’t ready to get a court order/protective order, the Police can also send the stalker a “Stalking Letter” that informs them to stay away from you or else other action will be taken.

Get CAMPUS SUPPORT. There are many services on campus that are here to offer you support. The Counseling Center provides individualized counseling, Health Services provides education and counseling. If you need help finding support at UNH, contact SHARPP.

Also, the National Center for Victims of Crime partnered with the U.S. Department of Justice Office on Violence Against Women to create the Stalking Resource Center (SRC). Visit this website for more information.