Harassing phone calls, endless messages on Facebook and unwanted e-mails are more than just annoying – it’s stalking.

With January designated as National Stalking Awareness Month, the Office of Violence and Prevention presented a “Who’s Stalking You?” lecture Monday to inform students about the signs of stalking and measures students can take to protect themselves.

Stalking occurs when someone follows, places under surveillance or contacts another person at or about a place or places without the consent of the other person for the purpose of harassing and intimidating the other person, according to state law and defined by the National Center for Victims of Crimes.

Larry Gourdine, relationship and sexual violence prevention coordinator at the Office of Violence and Prevention, said stalking can be particularly problematic on a college campus.

“Stalking is conducive to a college campus because of the environment,” Gourdine said. “The predictability makes it easier for stalkers to conduct surveillance.”

Gourdine provided students with background information about the different types of stalking, cycles and mind-sets.

There are two types of stalking – a love obsession and simple obsession – with simple being the most common. Love obsession involves a fixation on another person who they have no relationship with, such as celebrity obsession, Gourdine said. A person has some type of previous relationship with the victim during simple obsession.

Stalking also occurs in three cycles: the initial pursuit through phone calls or messages, violence and a “honeymoon” in which the stalker temporarily reverts to less violent behavior.

“It’s most dangerous when the victim is attempting to leave a relationship. Stalking and domestic violence are very linked together,” Gourdine said.

Psychologically, stalkers move to a progressively delirious state, he said. It begins as “I can prove my love,” to “I can make you love me” or the most dangerous – “If I can’t have you, no one else will.”

“A stalker’s self-esteem is tied to the partner. They are motivated by a perceived slight or injustice by their partner,” Gourdine said.

For University students, stalking may be more prevalent via the Internet, rather than through physical contact. Gourdine said he encourages students to take unwanted or incessant correspondence seriously.

“Cyberstalking affects college campuses a lot more, and any kind of electronic communication needs to be saved,” he said. “A lot of times, it is incumbent on the victim to build a case against the perpetrator to prosecute successfully.”

Gourdine said students should seek help if they are being stalked.

“I advise everyone to take every stalking situation seriously and take advantage of the resources on campus and elsewhere that can help,” Gourdine said.

STALKING SAFETY

Protect yourself against stalking
 Vary routes when going to class if possible.
 Google your name and see what types of personal information can be easily retrieved online.
 Limit the amount of very personal information (address, class schedule, etc.) on Web sites such as Facebook and MySpace.

What to do if you are being stalked
 Documentation is crucial: Keep a detailed chronological summary of events, save e-mails and acquire caller identification.
 Express your concern: Tell the stalker to stop one time and have no further contact. The person must know their behavior was unwanted if the case goes to court.
 Inform your loved ones: Give them a description of the person’s appearance.
 Get the law involved: Inform the police.

Know your options, take action
 Judicial action by the University: Student can seek a “no-contact” order from Kim Ellis, the director of judicial programs. Further contact is dealt with through sanctions imposed by judicial programs.
 Civil suit: A civil lawsuit can be filed to receive monetary compensation due to a stalker’s behavior and effects on the victim’s life.
 Criminal prosecution: Contact the University Police Department or Athens-Clarke County Police Department to file a criminal report.