What is stalking?
Stalking is behavior in which a person repeatedly engages in conduct directed at a specific person that places that person in reasonable fear of their safety or the safety of others.
Stalking behaviors may include:
- Following you and showing up wherever you are.
- Sending unwanted gifts, letters, cards, e-mails or text messages.
- Damaging your home, car, or other property.
- Monitoring your phone calls or computer use.
- Using technology, like hidden cameras or global positioning systems (GPS), to track where you go.
- Driving by or hanging out at your home, school, or work.
- Threatening to hurt you, your family, friends, or pets.
- Posting information or spreading rumors about you on the Internet, in a public place, or by word of mouth.
- Other actions that control, track, or frighten you.
Steps to take if you are being stalked
- Typically, the first step in getting unwanted contact to stop is to tell the person initiating the contact to stop their behavior. This can be useful when you know the person and/or the stalking hasn’t escalated to threats of violence. This step may not be possible if you feel it is unsafe.
- It is important to document all stalking behaviors and unwanted contact. You can do this by keeping a log of the date, time, type of contact, any witnesses and any actions you took – including reporting the behavior.
- Stalking is a crime and also prohibited by UC Davis policy – you have the right to report the stalking behavior.
If you would like to speak with someone confidentially about your options or safety, call the University CARE advocate at 530-752-3299. The CARE advocate may also be able to help you obtain a restraining order.