Stalking is a crime under the laws of all 50 states, the District of Columbia and the federal government. Laws vary by state, but stalking is generally defined as repeated (two or more occasions) visual or physical proximity, nonconsensual communication, or verbal, written, and/or implied threats, that would cause a reasonable person fear. (Tjaden and Thoennes, 1998). The definitions under Rhode Island law can be found in the RI Statutes.

Stalking behavior can take many forms and can vary greatly from situation to situation. Some common stalking behaviors include:

• Following you and showing up wherever you are.
• Repeatedly sending letters, emails and unwanted gifts.
• Repeatedly asking you out.
• Repeatedly calling you, including hang-ups.
• Causing damage to your home, car, or other property.
• Monitoring your phone calls or computer use.
• Using technology, like hidden cameras and computers to track you down.
• Driving by or hanging out at your home, school, or work.
• Threatening to hurt you, your family, friends, or pets.
• Finding out about you by using public records or on-line search services, hiring investigators, going through your garbage, or contacting your friends, family, neighbors, or co-workers.
• Other actions that control, track, or frighten you.

To an outsider, the stalker's behavior might appear friendly and unthreatening, for example, showering someone with gifts or flattering messages. But, these acts are intrusive and frightening if they are unwelcome to the victim.

Stalking Behavior Patterns

Stalking behavior patterns closely mirror those common in abusive relationships. The pattern is usually triggered when the stalkers' advances toward their victim have been rejected-whether the stalker is seeking to establish a personal relationship or continue a previously established relationship against the wishes of the victim. The stalker may first attempt to woo the victim into a relationship, perhaps sending gifts like flowers or candy. When the victim rejects their unwelcome advances, the stalker often turns to intimidation. Intimidation may begin as inappropriate intrusion into the victim's life and these contacts may become more numerous and intrusive over time, until the behaviors form a persistent pattern of harassment. Many times, harassing behavior escalates into threatening behavior. These threats may be direct or indirect, explicit or implied by the stalker's conduct. Cases that reach this level of seriousness are particularly dangerous and can become violent.

While this progression in behavior is common, no stalking case is completely predictable. Some stalkers may never escalate past the first stage. Others jump from the first to the last with little warning. Others regress to previous stages before advancing to the next. It is not uncommon for stalkers to intersperse threatening or violent episodes with flowers and love letters.

A stalker can be a stranger or someone the victim knows including a partner, an ex-partner, or a family member. Stalking is a crime that can impact anyone, regardless of gender, race, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, geographic location, or personal associations. However, the US Department of Justice reports that the overwhelming majority of victims are women (78%) and the majority of offenders (87%) are men. Nearly 60% of women and 30% of men who are stalked are stalked by a current partner. However, some stalkers develop an obsession for someone with whom they have no personal relationship.

Categories of Stalkers

While there is no single psychological or behavioral profile for stalkers, forensic psychologists have identified two broad categories of stalkers and stalking behavior-dividing them into simple obsession and love obsession cases. 

Simple Obsession

70-80% of all stalking cases fall under the simple obsession category, in which a personal or romantic relationship existed between the stalker and the victim before the stalking behavior began. These stalkers are commonly socially maladjusted, emotionally immature and extremely insecure. Their self-esteem is often closely tied to their relationship with the victim and, as a result, their greatest fear becomes the loss of this relationship, creating a dangerous dynamic. These stalkers can be most dangerous when their victims decide to end the relationship.

Love Obsession

Love obsession stalkers develop a love obsession or fixation on a person with whom they have no personal relationship. The target may be only a casual acquaintance or even a complete stranger. This category represents about 20-25% of all stalking cases. The vast majority of these stalkers suffer from a psychological disorder-often schizophrenia or paranoia. Nearly all display some delusional thought patterns or behaviors. In place of normal personal relationships, they invent fictional stories which cast their unwilling victims in the role of their own love interest. Love obsession stalkers expect their victims to play out the roles they have cast them in and believe they can make the object of their affection love them. They may attempt to force the victim to comply with threats, intimidation, or even violence.

If you are being stalked, trust your instincts and don't downplay the danger. Consider taking some or all of these steps:

• If you have not already done so, assertively communicate that you want the behavior to stop and set and maintain personal boundaries.
• Try not to allow yourself to be isolated with the person.

• Tell family, friends, roommates, and co-workers about the stalking and seek their support.

• Stalking behavior can be confusing and it can be challenging to sort out what's happening. For confidential support, you can contact the SHARE Advocates in BWell Health Promotion at 401.863-2794 or Counseling and Psychological Services at 401.863-3476.
• Memorize DPS's numbers and put them in your cell phone:
  • 401-863-4111 (emergency)
  • 863-3322 (non-emergency).
  • You can also call DPS from any of the blue-light phones on campus.
• Try not to walk alone, particularly at night. Utilize Safewalk (401-863-1079) and safeRIDE (401-863-2322) to navigate the campus or make plans for friends to accompany you.
• DPS also has a resource, the Brown Guardian, you may want to consider using in which you can set a timer between destinations. If it is not deactivated within that timeframe, DPS will be called.
• It is also a good idea to make a record of the stalking behavior. Keep a log including the date, time, what happened and the names of anyone who witnessed the incident. Save any packages, letters, messages or gifts from the stalker. Save all voicemail or text messages from the stalker.
• If you feel you are unsafe, you probably are and should seek help. Take threats seriously. Danger generally is higher when the stalker talks about suicide or murder, or when a victim tries to leave or end the relationship. Don't confront a stalker. Go to a safe space and call the police.
• The Office of Student Life may be able to provide you with a no-contact order if the stalker is another student. Call 401.863-3145 and ask to speak to the Dean of the Day.