8%
of women and 2% of men in the United States have been stalked in their lifetime.
78% of stalking victims and 87% of stalking perpetrators are male. The average
duration of stalking behavior lasts 1.8 years (National Institute of Justice
1998. Stalking in America: Findings from the National Violence Against Women
Survey.)
Stalking is a crime under the laws in 50 states, The District of Columbia, and the Federal Government. Fourteen states classify stalking as a felony upon the first offense, and 34 states classify stalking as a felony upon the second offense and/or when the crime involves aggravating factors. (Ibid).
Strangers
are the perpetrators in 23% of female stalking incidences. Current or former
husbands are the perpetrators 38% of the time' current or former co-habitating
partners are the perpetrators 10% of the time; and current or former boyfriends
are the perpetrators 14% of the time. (National Institute of Justice 2001.
Stalking and Domestic Violence; The Third Report to Congress Under the Violence
Against Women Act, Washington, DC; U.S. Department of Justice.)
The prevalence of anxiety, insomnia, social dysfunction, and severe depression
is much higher among stalking victims than the general population, especially
if the stalking involves being followed or having one's property destroyed.
(Blauus et,al. (2002). "The Toll of Stalking." Journal of Interpersonal
Violence, 17 (1),)
13% of college women were stalked during one six to nine month period. 80% of those victims knew their stalkers, and 3 in 10 college women reported being injured emotionally or psychologically from being stalked. (Fisher, Cullen, and Turner 2000. "The Sexual Victimization of College Women," Washington, DC; National Institute of Justice/Bureau of Justice Statistics, U.S. Department of Justice,)
