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Hope Inc
  • Home
  • Sexual Assault
  • Domestic Violence
  • Stalking
  • Human Trafficking
  • Quick Exit

Stalking

Ask for Help

Talk To Someone Who Cares

HOPE, Inc. 24 Hour Helpline:

National Sexual Assault Hotline:

National Sexual Assault Hotline:

1-304-367-1100

National Sexual Assault Hotline:

National Sexual Assault Hotline:

National Sexual Assault Hotline:

1-800-656-HOPE

unpredictable and dangerous

Stalking

In most states, stalking is generally defined as a course of conduct directed at a specific person that would cause a reasonable person fear. This definition suggests that stalking is a pattern of behaviors rather than a single incident. Every stalking situation is different, there are many behaviors that stalkers can use to intimidate their targets and cause them to suffer fear and distress, including but not limited to harassment. In addition to federal stalking statutes, West Virginia has laws to address stalking.


Stalking includes:

  • Surveillance or watching the victim (sitting in a car in front of the victim's house, going through the victim's trash, contacting the victim's family and friends, etc.)
  • Pursuing/following the victim
  • Unexpected appearances where the victim works, lives, goes to school, or visits
  • Approaching or confronting the victim, perhaps even in violation of a protective order
  • Telephone harassment, which might include playing disturbing music, hang-ups, or threats
  • Sending/giving unwanted gifts, letters, or e-mails to the victim
  • Monitoring of telephone calls or computer use
  • Use or misuse of technology to stalk and harass (see below)
  • Spreading rumors or otherwise defaming the victim's character
  • Vandalism or other destruction of property
  • Threat to the victim and/or her/his family, friends and pets


Stalking is unpredictable and dangerous. No two stalking situations are alike. No guarantees exist that what works for one person will work for another, yet you can take steps to increase your safety.


  • If you are in immediate danger, call 911


  • Contact HOPE's helpline, 304-367-1100, an advocate can help you create a safety plan, provide information about related laws, weigh options such as seeking a protection order, and refer you to other services




The Facts

About 1 in 6 women and 1 in 17 men in the United States have been victims of stalking during their lifetimes. 


In West Virginia, 1 in 6 women and 1 in 15 men have been stalked during their lifetimes.


More than 1/2 of female victims and more than 1/3 of male victims are first stalked before the age of 25.


In West Virginia, 69.7% of female victims had perpetrators who were current or former intimate partners and 29% were acquaintances. Female victims had stalkers who were males 85.1% of the time.


Many victims experienced their first stalking victimization between ages 18 and 24, about 1 in 3 females and more than 1 in 4 males 


Stalking victimization is not a crime that occurs only to young adults. Over half of stalked males and nearly half of stalked females first experienced stalking at age 25 or older, and a little more than 1 in 5 of stalked females and nearly 1 in 8 stalked males were under 18 when they were first stalked.

More Information about Stalking and Harassment at WVFRIS

Ask For Help

There is Help Available to You

If you are the victim of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking, or human trafficking you may feel alone, afraid and confused.


There is help available to you.

  • Someone you can talk with
  • Someone who will listen
  • Someone who understands


Ask for help by calling:

  • HOPE, Inc. 24 Hour Helpline: 304-367-1100
  • National Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-HOPE

Outreach Offices

We have outreach offices in the counties listed below.


Marion:

304-367-1100

Harrison:

304-624-9835

Lewis:

304-269-8233

Doddridge:

304-873-1416

Gilmer:

304-462-5354


Safety Planning

Immediate Safety Planning

  • If you are ever in immediate danger, the quickest way to access help is to call 911
  • If you are already in your vehicle, drive to the nearest police station. Tell them of your immediate or pending safety concerns

If you feel unsafe and are not in imminent danger

  • Talk with an advocate to develop a plan of action to address your immediate safety needs and necessary referrals to community resources to meet any urgent needs (e.g., housing)
  • If needed, implement and discuss the safety plan until you feel comfortable with it. Every individual and circumstance is different. Some victims feel safer remaining in their own homes after experiencing violence. Others feel safer if they change locks or have a friend stay with them

if you need to escape or leave quickly

  • If you are unsure of your current location, try to determine any indication of your locality such as, street signs outside the residence/place of employment or print material that may have the address listed
  • Plan an escape route or exit strategy and rehearse it, if possible
  • Think about and plan your next steps after you leave the situation
  • Contact trusted friends/relatives to notify them or to ask for assistance, if you feel comfortable
  • West Virginia Foundation for Rape Information and Services (WVFRIS) has contact information for the rape crisis centers across the state who provide confidential advocacy services
  • Create and prepare a support network of people that you trust

Safety Anytime

  • If  possible, have a phone nearby at all times, preferably one to which the  stalker has never had access. Memorize emergency numbers, and make  sure that 911 and helpful family or friends are on speed dial
  • Treat all threats, direct and indirect, as legitimate and inform law enforcement immediately
  • Vary routines, including changing routes to work, school, the grocery store, and other places regularly frequented. Limit time spent alone and try to shop at different stores and visit different bank branches
  • When out of the house or work environment, try not to travel alone and try to stay in public areas
  • Get a new, unlisted phone number. Leave the old number active and  connected to an answering machine or voicemail. Have a friend,  advocate, or law enforcement screen the calls, and save any messages  from the stalker. These messages, particularly those that are  explicitly abusive or threatening, can be critical evidence for law  enforcement to build a stalking case against the offender
  • Do not interact with the person stalking or harassing you. Responding to stalker's actions may reinforce their behavior
  • Consider  obtaining a protective order against the stalker. Some states offer stalking protective orders and other victims may be eligible for  protective orders under their state's domestic violence statutes
  • Trust your instincts. If you're somewhere that doesn't feel safe, either find ways to make it safer, or leave

Protection Orders and Safety

Protection Orders in West Virginia

  • A victim of sexual violence or stalking can request a protective order through their county magistrate court
  • Personal Safety Orders (PSOs) are for victims who do not live with or have never been in a romantic relationship with the offender
  • Domestic Violence Protective Orders (DVPOs) are for victims who either live/lived or are/were in a romantic relationship with the offender

Safety with an Order of Protection

  • Give your protection order to police departments in communities where you frequent, work and/or visit family and friends
  • If  you feel comfortable, tell your neighbors/employer/friends to call law  enforcement if they see the offender near, in, or at the location
  • Call law enforcement immediately if the order is violated

Good Advice

Document Stalking and Report to Police

Victims are encouraged to keep a log of all stalking behaviors including  e-mails and phone messages. The log, as well as any gifts or letters  the stalker sends the victim, can be collected and used as evidence. The  evidence will help prove what has been going on if the victim decides  to report the stalking to the police or apply for a protective order.

Rely on Trusted People

Many victims have found simple ways to make the stalking affect them  less. They may ask someone else to pick up and sort their mail, get a  second phone number given only to trusted people, or have people at work  or school screen phone calls or inform the police if the stalker shows  up. Relying on trusted friends and family is important for victims of  stalking to help keep victims safer and also reduce the isolation and  feelings of desperation that stalking victims may experience.

Call Us: 304-367-1100


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