The University of Michigan is reminding the campus community of support and reporting resources for individuals impacted by stalking in recognition of National Stalking Awareness Month. 

According to the National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey, nearly 1 in 3 women and 1 in 6 men will experience stalking during their lifetime. Additionally, a vast majority of victims are stalked by either an acquaintance or a current or former intimate partner. 

Stalking is a crime under Michigan State law. It’s also a violation of the university’s Policy on Sexual and Gender-Based Misconduct.

Support resources are available to members of the campus community, regardless of whether or not they choose to report a stalking concern. These include: counseling and advocacy services; academic, work, and housing accommodations; assistance with establishing no-contact restrictions; safety planning; increased monitoring of specific areas on campus; or referrals to additional support as needed.

What is stalking?

According to Michigan law, stalking is defined as “a willful course of conduct involving repeated or continuing harassment of another individual that would cause a reasonable person to feel terrorized, frightened, intimidated, threatened and/or harassed.”

Examples of stalking include unwanted:

• Phone calls and/or text messages.
• Appearances at the home or workplace.
• Watching or following.
• Vandalizing or damaging property.
• Threats aimed at an individual or someone close to them.
• Using technology to monitor, track and/or spy.

Reporting and support

Division of Public Safety and Security

Individuals who are being stalked are encouraged to seek help as soon as possible by contacting the Division of Public Safety and Security at (734) 763-1311 or dial 911 in an emergency. The Special Victims Unit within DPSS, a team of trauma-informed officers with specialized training who assist community members in dealing with interpersonal violence incidents, including stalking, helps guide individuals throughout the process. Individuals can have questions answered, reporting options explained and receive assistance from SVU to stop the stalking without seeking prosecution, if they choose.

Equity, Civil Rights and Title IX Office

Faculty, staff, and students experiencing stalking can also report to the Equity, Civil Rights and Title IX Office. Employees who become aware of stalking through their employment responsibilities are required under university policy to report it to ECRT. 

ECRT can facilitate supportive measures — such as academic extensions, work, academic or housing adjustments, and other campus referrals — for students, faculty and staff regardless of whether they choose to make a formal complaint.

Sexual Assault Prevention and Awareness Center 

The Sexual Assault Prevention and Awareness Center is a confidential resource offering supportive and educational services for faculty, staff and students who experience stalking. 

SAPAC offers a wide range of resources — ranging from emotional support and processing and academic and medical advocacy to housing support and safety planning — that are tailored to each individual’s specific needs. Some examples include connecting survivors to health care, protective and reporting resources; assisting in securing new housing; and connecting students with professors and GSIs to request excused absences or assignment extensions. 

Training

DPSS offers stalking safety presentations to students, faculty and staff, emphasizing the importance of safety and well-being. U-M community members interested in receiving stalking safety tips and available resources are encouraged to contact DPSS Community Engagement at (734) 763-3434, via email, or fill out the online request form to request a safety presentation.

ECRT’s Prevention, Education, Assistance and Resource Office (“PEAR”) provides sexual and gender-based misconduct prevention training to employees across all U-M’s campuses, including Michigan Medicine. Faculty, staff and department leadership can consult with PEAR about their specific needs and request training using the training request form.

SAPAC offers peer-to-peer student workshops focused on related topics like healthy relationships, consent, bystander intervention, responding to disclosures and supporting survivors.

— Story by Division of Public Safety and Security; Equity Civil Rights and Title IX; and Student Life